You and your living room are happier because you have just acquired a  flat screen television.  Although, you seem to be having a small  problem, everything around the television seems not to work. The  furniture no longer faces the right direction, the wall art is being  blocked, and the armoire you’ve placed the television in is too big.    These are all common decorating dilemmas when you acquire a flat screen  television.  Read on to see how you can keep that television and make  the rest of your room look beautiful around your new addition to the  family.

Plan for space: One of the beautiful advantages to  having a flat screen television is the ability to view it from many  angles of the room. This same advantage is its disadvantage when it  comes to placing furniture in the room.  The challenge is that you can’t  have obstacles that are within the line of sight of the television.   Stand back in all angles of the room and assess what furniture is too  tall and plan for space around it. Another trick is to stand at the  television and look back at the room. You will easily see what is  obstructing the view and space. 

Highlight the wall: Your television can blend or it can  be the focal point.  Most people want it to be the focal point as it  costs a lot of money, and you want everyone to see it! For you, painting  an accent wall that your television is hung or placed in front of will  draw emphasis to this wall.  If you are one that would like the  television to blend, consider housing your television in a piece of  furniture that can be closed, such as an armoire or entertainment  center. 
Viewing height: Depending on the height you choose to  view your television will dictate how to add artwork or decorative items  around it. For those that want it stand mounted on a low console, you  will be able to optimize more of the wall behind it for artwork.  While  if you decide to mount it on the wall, the television can compete with  artwork – which can be distracting. For larger rooms that have a long  viewing range, a wall application will work better. While smaller,  narrower spaces will benefit from the lower console. 
 
   
 Hanging artwork: If you have high ceilings, artwork  placed above the line of television sight viewing is a good idea.   Consider making the artwork simple, and more abstract. Artwork that has  physical content will cause television viewers to concentrate on the  artwork. For shorter ceilings, but longer walls, consider putting small  collections of artwork, paintings, photographs etc… to the side(s) of  your television.  Whichever you design preference, try to let the  television compliment the space, or be left on its own.  For visual  interest for wall mounted televisions add wainscoting or build  decorative architectural niches into the wall.
  

Your flat screen television can be a welcomed addition if you can  determine how to decorate around it. Before you buy your television take  these tips into consideration.  Remember, the smaller the room, the  smaller television that is needed. Often time’s people buy too large of a  television for the space, and viewers can get headaches, and the  picture will also appear pixilated if the viewing distance isn’t enough.  Placing a flat screen television above a fireplace or on an accent wall  will give visual interest that may need additional décor. You decide  and make your television a welcomed addition to your home. Freshome  readers tell us your experience with decorating around your flat screen.  Has it been easy or a huge headache? We’d love to hear your comments. 
source : freshome