In this day and age, who doesn't have a TV sitting in their living room? Most of us have at least one in our house. Yet, decorating around the television is something most of us have limited knowledge of. What should we do with the wall around a TV? Should we hang art behind the TV? It's a trivial problem but one of the most frequently asked interior design questions.

There is no exact right or wrong answer to this. If you love browsing the internet for decorating ideas, you'll surely find plenty of options on what to do with your TV wall. It does not necessarily need to be a blank wall. You can spice things up and decorate it! We have listed creative tips for you. Read on and have fun learning!

Decorate Your TV Wall With Mixed-Media

One great idea is to fill the blank wall around your TV with mixed-media decor. This makes the television look like a part of the wall decor, preventing it from being an eyesore. This is especially great for long and large walls in your living room or family room. Here's what you can do:

Play with textures

Try mounting decorative ceramics, displaying your picture frames, and hanging tapestries. Combine different media to add color and character to the wall around your TV.

Add accent lights to create a cozy ambiance

Know how to choose the right lighting: small spotlights, lamps, or soft wall lighting. This will help accentuate your decor without causing glare on your flat-screen TVs.

Set Up A Gallery Wall Around Your TV

Gallery walls are one of the simplest yet most stylish ways to fill your TV wall space. Make sure you know what kind of art you want to see and how to properly choose artwork that will fit best in your living room. Here are some ideas to carry this out:

Choose a layout before hanging art pieces

Play around with placements and aim for the same spacing to create a seamless gallery wall. You can check this helpful guide.

Consistency and cohesiveness is key

Use similar frames and hang them with consistent spacing for a more polished gallery wall. Since televisions typically have black frames, you can maintain consistency by framing your artwork in black. However, feel free to explore creative ways that align with the mood you want to evoke and your style sensibilities.

Experiment with different colors, sizes, and themes

Make it look effortless by having a variety of pieces, but be careful not to make the wall too busy or cluttered. The goal is to avoid creating a visual "black hole" while adding interest through the thoughtful spacing of the artwork that you love in a well-presented gallery wall.

Once you've figured things out, you can check out UGallery's curated collections of art pieces.

Use Shelves Or Cabinets To Display Smaller Pieces Of Art

If you are not a fan of oversized art, try installing shelves or cabinets behind or around your TV to display smaller art pieces. You can even showcase your books, ceramics, sculptures, and potted plants, alongside your favorite artwork. Here's how you can start:

Try floating shelves around your TV for a more minimalist look

Have fun installing floating shelves by lining them up in a uniform order, or arranging them in an offset pattern—above, beside, or both.

Have a custom-built cabinet to fit the aesthetic of your room

Turn that awkward corner or area of your room into a stylish focal point with bespoke cabinetry that fits your space perfectly. Measure the shelves according to the sizes of art and personal effects you want to display.

Consider installing a hidden panel to cover your TV with art when not in use. Andy, a UGallery client, used this exact setup to create visual interest. Check out the blog post here.

Keep Things Symmetrical

Symmetry in interior design is one thing you should consider to achieve a cohesive aesthetic in your living spaces, especially around your entertainment center. A symmetrical arrangement keeps your TV from standing out awkwardly in the room. Here's what you can do to keep the symmetry going:

Sandwich your wall-mounted TV with matching pairs of artwork

The easiest way to keep things symmetrical is to add "twinning" paintings! If your TV is on a stand, you can also center it on a TV console and balance it with sculptures, candles, large lamps, or vases. 

Use windows or decorative moldings as framing elements

Center your TV between the natural frames of your own home. Create symmetry by putting curtains on your windows that match the designs and colors of your room.

Use shelves on either side of the TV

Install them at the same height as your TV and display similar objects in a cohesive color palette on each shelf to balance the visual weight of the wall.

Position your furniture evenly across your TV

Strategically place your furniture to keep your room functional and pleasing. This will help everything looked polished and balanced.

Buy paintings from the same artist

In relation to our tip earlier on keeping everything cohesive, collecting works from the same artists will make consistency less of an issue. This ensures the artworks are similar in size and even in style.

Hang Oversized Pieces Of Art On Your TV Wall

Many might think putting huge art pieces behind the TV is a big no-no. However, in some cases, it works perfectly. When done right, large artwork can add sophistication and balance to the room and transform the TV wall into a statement piece. Keep these in mind:

Choose artworks that complement the color of the walls, furniture, and decor

A great example of creating harmony in your space is to choose artworks that complement the color palette of the walls, furniture, and decor. Surround the TV with pieces in lighter frames on a dark wall, or add pops of color to a neutral background.

Size and proportion matters

Aim for a piece slightly wider than your TV, but won’t make your room feel smaller. Know the rules, and make sure the artwork is proportionate to the TV screen and the wall.

Decide between minimalism and striking

Decide if you want the artwork to go with the style of the room or to pop out and catch attention. Whichever you prefer, you can find the perfect minimalist, neutral, or vibrant paintings for your room at UGallery.

Mount Your TV Above The Fireplace And Surround It With Art

Mounting your TV on the fireplace wall creates a visual focal point and will prevent those two elements from competing for attention. Here's how to do that right:

Check if your TV can handle the temperature

Nobody wants a broken appliance, right? Put the necessary protections and precautions in place to prolong the lifespan of your electronic appliance.

Test the viewing angle

Make sure you can comfortably watch your favorite show while sitting. If your fireplace is too high, invest in a mounting system that allows you to tilt your TV to different angles.

Coordination is still your best friend

Don’t put art pieces that clash with the color and design of your fireplace, unless that is your goal. You can display framed art on floating shelves above the fireplace or the mantle.

Frame Your TV

Putting an elegant frame on your flat-screen TV is a clever way to elevate its appearance. Rather than having a black, flat screen in the middle of your wall, a customized or DIY frame can make your TV a piece of art. To spice things up even further you can:

Create a slideshow

Display photo slides on your TV when you have visitors. This is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, or any event where you wish to celebrate your memories.

Create a gallery effect

If you have a gallery wall around your TV, you can match its frame to the other frames for a more cohesive look. Display art from your favorite artists, drawings from your kids, or even your sketches and paintings.

Things You Should Avoid

It is sometimes easy to get overwhelmed and make design mistakes when decorating your entertainment space. Lucky you, UGallery has listed what mistakes to avoid when decorating the wall around your TV.

Hanging your TV too high

For a comfortable viewing experience, the TV should be at a level when you are seated. If you’re using a TV console, hang your artwork about 6 to 12 inches above it, depending on its size.

Buying a TV stand or console that is too small

As we mentioned earlier, sizes and proportions matter. Make sure the TV stand is wider than the TV itself so it doesn't look top-heavy.

Putting too much art around your TV

A gallery wall is nice, however, see to it that you aren't making the space overcrowded. A few dramatic pieces to disguise your TV will do.

Not hiding cables and wires

Use cord covers and organizers, or strategically hide your cables and wires behind your console. You can also hire a professional to conceal your cable system for a more polished look.

Final Words

If it isn't obvious by now, the answer to your question is YES, you can definitely hang art behind your TV! Say goodbye to blank walls and white spaces and hello to beautifully styled spaces. Just remember, the key is personalization. Let the room reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether it’s a family photo, framed art, cabinet, or sculpture, make sure it feels uniquely yours. 

We hope this article has inspired and helped you figure out what to do and how to decorate around your TV. Find the perfect companion for your TV and check out UGallery’s curated selection of art pieces.

Happy decorating!