Mount Your Way to a Stylish Living Room TV Setup

Wall-mounted televisions have become an increasingly popular choice in living room design. Mounting your TV on the wall can provide both aesthetic and functional benefits when done properly.

From choosing the right mount and TV size to hiding cables and positioning furniture, we'll cover everything you need to create a stylish, optimized viewing experience. By following the tips in this article, you can mount your living room TV with confidence. Let's get started!

Determine the Ideal Mounting Location

The first step is deciding where you want to mount the TV on your living room wall. Here are some factors to consider:

• Viewing Angles: Position the TV so it can be seen comfortably from seating areas like your sofa or chairs. Avoid odd side angles.
• Mounting Height: For optimal viewing, mount the center of the screen at eye level when seated. This is typically 57-67 inches from the floor to the center of the screen depending on TV size.
• Viewing Distance: Make sure to choose a proper sized TV for your room dimensions and optimal viewing range. Larger TVs work best further away.
• Obstacles: Take note of any potential obstructions like fireplaces, doorways, or windows that could impact placement.

Taking precise measurements and mapping out potential mounting zones will ensure your TV ends up in the ideal spot to enjoy from all seats.

Choose the Right TV Mount

Once you've decided on placement, it's time to pick an appropriate TV wall mount. There are several types to consider:

• Fixed Mounts: Simple, affordable option with no articulation.
• Tilt Mounts: Allow tilting TV upwards or downwards for better viewing angle.
• Articulating Mounts: Extend, swivel, and tilt for maximum adjustability.

Also look at the weight capacity to ensure compatibility with your TV, and decide if you need full motion capabilities or just some tilt. Articulating mounts provide the most flexibility for fine tuning position.

Advantages of Articulating Mounts

Articulating mounts that extend out from the wall provide significant benefits:

• Allows moving the TV away from wall to improve viewing angles.
• Makes connections in the back more accessible.
• Provides optimal adjustability for the ideal viewing position.

Disadvantages of Fixed Mounts

While simpler and less expensive, fixed mounts have some limitations:

• Does not tilt or swivel, limiting viewing angle options.
• Puts TV flush to wall, making rear connections hard to access.
• Re-adjusting position requires taking TV off and remounting.

Select Your TV Size and Model

When it comes to choosing your actual television set, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

• Screen Size: Make sure the TV size suits your room dimensions and optimal viewing distance. Avoid going too small or too overwhelmingly large.
• Screen Type: Research different display technologies like LCD, LED, or OLED to find one that fits your picture quality needs.
• Features: Look for a smart TV with WiFi and apps for streaming, or required ports for devices you plan to connect.

Using a TV size calculator and taking room measurements will help narrow down the ideal screen size range. Select a model with the right mix of display performance, streaming capabilities, and connectivity options.

Hide and Manage Cables

No one wants a tangled mess of wires and cables hanging down from their sleek wall-mounted TV. Here are some tips to effectively conceal and organize cables:

• Route cables through walls or floorboards whenever possible for seamless integration.
• Use cable raceways attached to the wall or floor to contain wires.
• Conceal excess cables behind the TV mount inside built-in cable management boxes.
• Group dangling cords into a single organized bundle using clips or sleeves.

Taking the time to neatly route and hide TV connection cables will prevent them from detracting from your overall living room aesthetic.

Incorporate Into Your Living Room Decor

A TV on the wall can sometimes stick out like a sore thumb. But there are clever ways to make it feel like part of the decor:

• Use wall frames, mirrors, cabinets, or curtains to tastefully disguise the TV.
• Strategically place in relation to focal points and furniture arrangements.
• Install bias lighting behind the TV to create subtle ambiance.

The right techniques can transform your mounted TV from an eyesore into a seamless design element that enhances your living room.

Add Soundbars and Home Theater Options

To complete your living room TV setup, consider adding supplemental audio components:

• Soundbars mounted right below the TV provide impactful sound.
• Surround sound systems immerse you through multiple speakers.
• Create a dedicated home theater area with large screen and plush seating.

The combination of a wall-mounted TV and high-quality audio equipment can transform your living room into a central hub for entertainment.

Include Smart Home Automation

Today's TVs can integrate into full smart home ecosystems:

• Control TV via voice assistants like Alexa, Siri or Google Home.
• Use phone apps and remote access to switch channels and streaming services.
• Connect smart light bulbs to automatically dim when the TV is turned on.
• Leverage motion sensors to turn the TV on or off as you enter or exit a room.

With the right smart TV and compatible devices, you can effortlessly monitor and control your living room television hands-free.

Optimizing the Viewing Experience

To refine your viewing experience even further:

• Experiment with furniture layouts and seating angles to dial in the ideal arrangement.
• Use smart lighting products like dimmers or color-changing bulbs to set the perfect ambiance.
• Consider a projector screen or motorized drop-down screen for a cinematic feel.

Take the time to tweak all elements of your setup - from position to audio to lighting - until you've achieved your optimal viewing environment.

Following the tips and guidelines outlined here will allow you to install your living room TV in a way that looks fantastic while also enabling an unmatched viewing experience. Carefully plan the mounting location, cables, size, and aesthetics, and your wall-mounted television can become a stylish centerpiece rather than an eyesore.