Technology has dramatically changed the way we live in our homes. Every room in our home has a smart TV, laptop, and/or tablet. This is the age, in which we live in. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but you have to ask yourselves if the design of your home has updated to your modernized lifestyle?

Outside of the kitchen, the family room/living room, for smaller homes, is the most congregated space in your home. Why? Well, because that's usually where the TV is. Whether you are streaming your favorite show, hosting a watch party, or put a program on for your kids to watch, the television is part of your life and therefore an essential piece of your home. 

Although the TV is part of your life it doesn't have to be the center attention of your space. Let me explain. The design of the TV is essentially a black box. Thanks to modern design, screens are now flat, thin in depth, and have the ability to mount on a wall. But how do you incorporate a black box  into a room of stylish, casual furniture with decorative accessories? Answer: by carefully blending your needs (functions) + your wants (style).

Create a Focal Point. Though the main function of your family room is the TV, it shouldn't be the focal point. For example, if the first thing you see when you walk into your room are the floor to ceiling windows over looking your beautiful yard, the windows should be your focal point. Depending on the layout of your space, consider placing the TV on a short wall or the next largest wall.  

Create a Distraction. You want to make sure the TV is viewable from all angles, so make sure your seating arrangement allows for that. However, to avoid making the TV an eye soar you may want to consider framing it (if the TV is mounted to the wall). Framing your TV will create the visual appearance of wall decor when the screen is off. If your TV is not mounted consider using a furniture TV console to sit beneath. Using a TV console that looks like quality furniture will make your TV feel included with the rest of your furniture and accessories.

Accessorize. After you've created a focal point and have a distraction, the next step is to accessorize. Accessorizing is an important step to finishing a successful room. Think of this: How exciting would a room be if you just had a sofa and a TV hung on the wall? Not interesting...right? Even a successful man cave needs accessories. If your TV is mounted to the wall, line up framed pictures or wall art to the left and right of your screen. Tip: Make sure all the gaps between the frames are the same distance. If your TV is on a console add wall decor above or on both sides of the screen. This will give your room a balanced and collected look. 

In the comments below share with me where your TV is located (mounted to the wall, framed and above the fireplace, on a console, etc). 

À la prochaine,