Living Room TV Furniture Setup

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I don't like the way my entertainment center juts out in my living room. Are there any creative alternatives to stowing my television where it's accessible but not intrusive?

Let’s try to work with what you already have and also explore some alternative ideas for stashing your television in a more pleasing way.

• Soften it - Add medium to tall sized plants on either side of the entertainment center to soften the transition between the cabinet and the wall.

• Make it smaller – If your entertainment center has attached bookcases or side cabinets, consider breaking up the unit. You can reuse the bookcases somewhere else in the room, or use them in another area of the house.

• Corner it – Angle your entertainment center in a corner so that it has a built-in feel. You might even invest in a cabinet or armoire that is specifically constructed for corner use.

• Paint it – Make your entertainment center “disappear” by painting it the same color as your walls. This will down play its perceptible size and also give it a custom built-in look. Your local paint or hardware store will be able to match your color from a few chips of paint off the wall or from an old paint can.

• Replace it – You can always get rid of your existing entertainment center and replace it with a television stand or cart that is much less obtrusive. These nifty stands and carts have come a long way, but their structural designs are typically a better fit for modern or industrial style interiors.

• Upgrade it – The ultimate alternative is to purchase a flat-panel plasma or LCD television. These sleek beauties can be mounted right on the wall, saving tons of space in a room. There are even cabinets which house the flat-screen inside until you push a button and the TV rises out of the cabinet top.

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