How to Style Wall Art Around a TV
The Decorating Dilemma Solved: How to Perfectly Style Wall Art Around Your TV
It’s the undeniable centerpiece of most modern living rooms, the source of entertainment, news, and cozy movie nights. Yet, for all its utility, the television is often the biggest design challenge in a home. It’s a large, black, rectangular void that can command a wall and disrupt a carefully curated aesthetic. How do you make this functional black box feel like an integrated part of your beautiful home? This is the ultimate Decorating Dilemma.
If you've ever stared at the blank space surrounding your screen, you're not alone. This common challenge can be a source of real design stress. You might even find yourself asking, "Why does decorating give me anxiety?" It's because the stakes feel high! This is a primary focal point, and the pressure to get it right is immense. An ill-conceived TV wall can feel cluttered, unbalanced, or worse, like a shrine to electronics. We've all seen decorating dilemma examples that miss the mark—don't let your living room become one of them.
But what if we told you that your TV wall holds the potential to be the most stylish and personal feature in your home? What if that black screen could be the anchor for a stunning art display, a sophisticated shelving unit, or a chic, minimalist statement?
This is your definitive guide to solving that dilemma. We are going to tackle all your decorating dilemma questions, from how to fill a wall around a TV to the fundamental decorating rules that will empower you to make confident choices. We will explore countless decorating dilemma ideas and provide step-by-step instructions on how to decorate the space with style and purpose. From creating a gallery wall to building a custom unit, we'll show you how to transform your TV wall from a design problem into a design triumph. It's time to end the internal dialogue of indecision and turn your vision into a reality.
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| How to Style Wall Art Around a TV |
Part 1: The Foundations – Understanding the Rules of a Well-Decorated Room
Before we tackle the TV wall specifically, we must understand the fundamental principles of interior design. These "rules" are not meant to be restrictive; they are guidelines that explain why certain arrangements look pleasing to the human eye. Mastering these concepts is the key to solving any design dilemma.
1.1 The 7 Basics of Interior Design
Every well-designed room, whether consciously or not, adheres to these seven core principles.
Space: This refers to the physical boundaries of your room. Positive space is filled with objects (furniture, art), while negative space is the empty area around them. A good design has a healthy balance of both. Your TV wall is a large area of negative space you need to fill thoughtfully.
Line: Lines (horizontal, vertical, and dynamic) guide the eye and create form. Horizontal lines (like a long media console) create a sense of stability, while vertical lines (like tall bookshelves flanking a TV) add height and grandeur.
Form: Form is the shape of objects in the space, both geometric (squares, circles) and organic (curvy, abstract). The rectangular form of the TV needs to be balanced with other forms.
Light: Both natural and artificial light are crucial. Light affects mood and highlights key features. Consider how light from windows or lamps will reflect off your TV screen and your chosen art.
Color: Color is the most powerful tool for setting a mood. The color rules we'll discuss below are essential for creating a harmonious palette.
Texture: This is the tactile surface of objects. A mix of textures (e.g., a smooth TV screen, a rough wooden frame, a soft fabric print, a metallic object) creates visual interest and depth.
Pattern: Patterns add life and energy. They can be found in textiles, wallpaper, or the art you choose.
1.2 The Color Rules: Creating a Harmonious Palette
A consistent color palette is what ties a room together. Here are the most famous rules designers use.
What is the 60-30-10 rule in decorating? This is the classic rule for a balanced color scheme.
60% is your dominant color: Usually your wall color, large rugs, and sofa. It's the overall background tone.
30% is your secondary color: Used for accent chairs, curtains, and some of your larger art pieces. It supports the main color but is different enough to create interest.
10% is your accent color: This is your pop of personality. Used in small doses for throw pillows, small accessories, and key colors within your artwork. When choosing art for your TV wall, make sure the colors fit into your 60-30-10 palette.
What is the 3 color rule in interior design? This is a simplified version of the above, emphasizing that you should try not to exceed three main colors in your palette for a clean, cohesive look. Your TV (black) can be considered a fourth, neutral color.
1.3 The Rules of Scale and Proportion
This is where many TV wall designs go wrong. Scale is about how objects relate to each other and to the space itself.
What is the 2/3 rule in decorating? This essential rule states that an object (like a piece of art or a rug) should be about two-thirds the size of the larger object it's paired with. For example, a console table under your TV should be wider than the TV itself, and art above a console should be about 2/3 the width of the console. We will use this rule extensively when planning our TV wall.
What is the golden ratio in interior decorating? The golden ratio (approximately 1:1.618) is a mathematical principle found in nature and art that is inherently pleasing to the human eye. In decorating, it can be used to determine the ideal size of art, the placement of furniture, and the proportions of a room. The 60-30-10 rule is a simplified application of this principle. When arranging a gallery wall, a rectangular layout that approximates the golden ratio will feel naturally balanced.
1.4 Lesser-Known "Rules" for Advanced Styling
What is the 70-20-10 rule in interior design? This is a variation on the color rule, often applied to materials or styles. 70% of your room is your main style (e.g., modern), 20% is a complementary style (e.g., industrial), and 10% is a unique accent (e.g., a single antique piece).
What is the 50/50 rule in decorating? This often refers to balancing two contrasting elements, like masculine and feminine, or light and dark. On a TV wall, you might balance the hard, modern lines of the TV with softer, organic art.
What is the 3-5-7 rule in decorating? This is a guideline for arranging accessories. It suggests that grouping items in odd numbers (3, 5, or 7) is more visually appealing and dynamic than grouping in even numbers. This is a key tip for styling shelves around your TV.
Part 2: The Core Challenge – Why the TV Wall is a True Decorating Dilemma
Should you put art on the same wall as the TV? Yes, absolutely! But it must be done with a clear strategy. The core of the decorating dilemma lies in a battle of focal points.
2.1 The "Black Hole" Effect
When the TV is off, it’s just a big, black, lifeless rectangle. It can feel like a "black hole" that sucks the energy and beauty out of the wall. The primary goal of decorating around it is to diminish this effect by surrounding it with color, texture, and life.
2.2 The Competing Focal Points
A beautiful piece of art is designed to be a focal point. A TV is also a focal point, but a functional one. If you simply hang a single, beautiful painting next to the TV, they will compete for attention, creating a sense of visual tension. The art will try to draw your eye, while the TV's size and central placement will pull it back. This conflict is what makes the wall feel "off." The solution is not to create a competing focal point, but to create a single, larger focal point that includes the TV.
2.3 Common Mistakes to Avoid (The "SpongeBob Decorating Dilemma")
It's easy to make a misstep. Don't let your living room become a real-life SpongeBob decorating dilemma where everything is chaotically placed and nothing makes sense.
Art That's Too Small: The most common mistake. Small, dinky frames scattered around a large TV will just look like clutter. They will be visually swallowed by the screen.
Poor Spacing: Art placed too far away from the TV will look disconnected. Art placed too close can look cramped.
Ignoring a Cohesive Theme: Using a random assortment of frames, colors, and art styles without a unifying element will look messy. It’s a design challenge many face, a true Daisy's decorating dilemma that can be solved with planning.
Part 3: Strategy #1 – The Gallery Wall (The Great Unifier)
The most popular and effective solution to the TV wall problem is the gallery wall. Can you do a gallery wall around a TV? Yes, and it's brilliant because it follows a key principle: it incorporates the TV into a larger, more interesting composition, demoting it from "the star of the show" to just "one of the players." The entire collection becomes the focal point, not the screen itself.
3.1 Planning Your Gallery Wall: The Blueprint for Success
Do not start hammering nails! A successful gallery wall is 90% planning.
Measure Your Space: Measure the entire wall space you want to fill around your TV.
Gather Your Art: Collect all the pieces you want to use. This can be a mix of pictures around TV on wall, prints, photos, and even small objects like mirrors or decorative plates. This is where you can bring in your own personality.
Create Paper Templates: Trace each frame onto kraft paper or newspaper and cut it out. Use a piece of painter's tape to stick these paper templates to the wall. This allows you to play with the layout, move things around, and perfect your arrangement without making a single hole. It's the most crucial step.
3.2 Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Layouts
The Symmetrical Gallery Wall: This creates a formal, organized, and calm look. The art is arranged in a balanced grid around the TV. All the frames are often the same size and color. This works well for modern or traditional decor. The TV sits perfectly in the middle, and the grid extends equally on all sides.
The Asymmetrical Gallery Wall: This creates a more relaxed, eclectic, and dynamic feel. You use a mix of frame sizes, shapes, and orientations, balancing them visually around the TV. You might have one large piece on one side balanced by three smaller pieces on the other. This is a more forgiving and personal style.
3.3 The Rules of Spacing and Framing
Spacing is Key: Maintain a consistent distance between your frames, typically 2-4 inches. This consistency is what makes the collection feel like a single, cohesive unit. The gap between the TV and the closest frames should also follow this spacing rule.
Choosing Frames:
For a Cohesive Look: Use all the same color frame (e.g., all black, all white, all gold). This is the easiest way to make a mixed collection of art look unified.
For an Eclectic Look: Mix 2-3 different frame styles/colors (e.g., black, white, and natural wood). The repetition of these few styles will keep it from looking too random.
What Art to Choose? A mix is best! Use art prints, family photos (try printing some in black and white for a sophisticated touch), abstract pieces, and line drawings. The TV is a hard, modern object, so balance it with softer, more organic art.
Part 4: Strategy #2 – The Minimalist Approach (Less is More)
If a busy gallery wall isn't your style, a minimalist arrangement can be just as effective. The goal here is balance and intentional placement. So, what do you put on the side of a TV on the wall?
4.1 The Flanking Maneuver
Create a strong sense of symmetry by placing two large, identical items on either side of the TV.
Two Vertical Art Pieces: Hang two large, matching vertical art prints. The height should be similar to the height of the TV. This creates a beautiful, balanced triptych: Art-TV-Art.
Two Bookshelves: Place two tall, narrow bookshelves (like the IKEA BILLY) on either side of the TV console. This frames the TV, adds height, and provides valuable storage and styling space. Use the "3-5-7" rule when styling the shelves.
[Image: A TV centered on a console table, flanked by two tall, matching vertical pieces of abstract art. The look is clean, balanced, and sophisticated.]
4.2 The "Over-and-Under"
If you have space above and below the TV, use it strategically.
A Single Ledge or Shelf: Install a long, floating shelf about 6-8 inches above the TV. You can then lean a collection of smaller frames and objects on it. This is less committal than a full gallery wall.
A Long, Low Console: This is a crucial element. When decorating around a TV stand, the stand itself is part of the decor. Choose a console that is significantly wider than your TV (at least a foot wider on each side). This grounds the TV and provides surface area to style with lamps, books, and plants, creating a beautiful horizontal line that balances the vertical TV.
4.3 The Single Statement
Sometimes one perfect choice is all you need.
A Single Piece of Art Above: If your TV is mounted relatively low, a single, wide, panoramic piece of art hung above it can look fantastic. Remember the 2/3 rule: the art should be about 2/3 the width of the TV/console unit.
An Architectural Element: A piece of architectural salvage, a large carved wood panel, or a long, narrow tapestry can serve the same purpose.
Part 5: Strategy #3 – The Camouflage Technique (Now You See It, Now You Don't)
For those who truly dislike the look of a TV, the goal is to make it disappear.
5.1 The Dark Accent Wall
This is the simplest and most effective trick. Paint the wall behind your TV a dark, moody color like charcoal grey, deep navy blue, or even black. When the TV is off, its black screen visually recedes into the dark background, making it far less noticeable. The dark color also makes the colors pop when the TV is on.
5.2 The "Frame TV"
Samsung's "The Frame" TV is a game-changer. It's designed to look exactly like a piece of framed art. When it's "off," it displays high-resolution artwork of your choice from a massive library. You can even change the magnetic bezel to different colors and styles to match your frames. It is the literal definition of tv wall art.
5.3 Custom Cabinetry and Built-Ins
This is the most integrated (and expensive) solution.
How to decorate a TV wall unit: Design a full wall of built-in shelving and cabinets. The TV can be placed in a central niche. This makes the TV feel like a planned part of the room's architecture. The shelves provide ample space for books, accessories, and art, creating a library-like feel.
Concealment Doors: Custom cabinetry can be built with sliding panels or pocket doors that completely hide the TV when it's not in use.
Part 6: Unleashing Your Imagination (Decor Khayal) & DIY Art
Don't be afraid to think outside the box! This is your home, a place for your imagination, or decor khayal, to run wild. And you don't need to spend a fortune on art.
How to make a wall art: The possibilities are endless.
Textile Art: Frame a beautiful piece of fabric, a vintage scarf, or a small rug for a soft, textured piece of art.
Nature's Art: Press large leaves or botanicals and frame them in floating glass frames.
Empty Frames: An arrangement of beautiful, ornate, empty frames can be a stunning and sculptural piece of art in itself.
How to make wall art in Canva: Canva is a free, user-friendly graphic design tool. You can design your own professional-looking prints.
Create a custom canvas (e.g., 18x24 inches).
Use their text tools to write out one of your favorite decorating quotes example: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." - William Morris.
Export as a "PDF Print" file and have it printed at a local shop.
How to make wall art at home: Take high-resolution photos of interesting textures around your house—wood grain, peeling paint, a close-up of a leaf. Print them in black and white and hang them as a minimalist grid.
Part 7: Room-Specific Guides: The Living Room vs. The Bedroom
7.1 TV Wall Decoration Ideas for Living Room
The living room is a public space, so the design should be welcoming and balanced. This is the prime location for a large gallery wall, a sophisticated built-in unit, or a dark accent wall. The goal is to create a social and entertaining hub where the TV is present but doesn't dominate.
7.2 How to Decorate Around a TV in Bedroom
A bedroom is a personal sanctuary. The decor here should be calmer and more relaxing.
Avoid a massive gallery wall, which can feel too busy for a restful space.
A better option is the minimalist flanking approach with two calm, serene art pieces.
Consider placing the TV on a dresser rather than mounting it, which gives it a less prominent feel.
Choose art with a soft, soothing color palette.
Part 8: FAQ – Your Decorating Dilemma Questions Answered
Here are direct answers to some of the most common questions.
Q: How to decorate wall space next to TV? A: You can flank the TV with two matching vertical art pieces or tall bookshelves. Alternatively, you can start a gallery wall, placing your first pieces next to the TV and building outwards.
Q: Should you put art on the same wall as TV? A: Yes, you absolutely should! It's the best way to integrate the TV into your decor and stop it from looking like a black hole.
Q: Why do people put TVs on walls? A: Mounting a TV on the wall saves floor space (by eliminating the need for a deep media cabinet), provides a cleaner, more modern look, and allows for positioning the TV at the optimal viewing height.
Q: What is the 60/30/10 rule in decorating? A: It's a color rule: 60% of your room should be a dominant color, 30% a secondary color, and 10% an accent color for a balanced palette.
Q: What is the 2/3 rule in decorating? A: An object should be about 2/3 the width of the larger object it's paired with (e.g., art should be 2/3 the width of the console table it hangs above).
The black box on your wall doesn't have to be a decorating dilemma. By understanding the basic principles of design and choosing a clear strategy—be it a unifying gallery wall, a balanced minimalist setup, or a clever camouflage technique—you can transform your TV wall into a feature you're proud of. It’s not just about hiding a screen; it's about creating a beautiful, personal, and cohesive space that truly feels like home.
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