Television technology is moving faster than you can change the channel, and interior design is adapting to keep pace. Today's thinnest TV sets use technologies such as LCD (liquid crystal display) or plasma to deliver exceptionally clear pictures. Because they don't need bulky cathode ray tubes for projection, they can have flat screens; some are only 4 inches thick. Many are hung on the wall like a picture or rest on a narrow stand — which means you have many more options in designing a room.
Pasadena-based interior designer Michaela Scherrer (626/449-1242), says that working with flat-panel televisions has been a liberating experience because they don't become the focal point in a room. "I love them because they are so minimalistic," she says. "They don't protrude into a room and overwhelm it."
No matter how much the appearance of TVs has improved, some people still prefer to keep them concealed. "We solve the problem by building a cabinet that's shallow on top and has a deeper base for audiovisual equipment," says Los Angeles–based interior designer Chris Barrett (310/586-0773).
FLAT-PANEL TIPS
Plan for the placement of the television. Seattle interior designer Gregory Carmichael (206/623-2002) and Michaela Scherrer have clients hang up a cardboard mock-up cut to the size of their television. This way, they can get an idea of how it will look and make sure that they can view it comfortably. "These days people want to stand in the kitchen and be able to see the television in the next room," Carmichael says.
Think about extra equipment. Take into consideration how much equipment, such as a DVD player, will need to be attached to the television. This will determine whether you will need a shelf or cabinet near the TV and how big it will be.
Get creative. Many homeowners are putting the TV above a fireplace, like a painting. But for clients who want to hide the television, Scherrer has designed a concealing panel that slides on a track like a barn door; Carmichael has used curtains.
Take advantage of accessories. Scherrer likes to use a flexible, pivoting support arm, available for many TV models; it allows the television to be positioned in many ways. "Because the arm lets you do this, you can see the television from many different vantage points," Scherrer says.
Hide the cords. If you install an outlet for the television where the set will be hung, the outlet and the cord will be concealed.
