Design a Winning Furniture Arrangement 
for Flat-Screen & Wall-Mounted TVs
Like most people, you are probably gearing up to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday. Or perhaps you’re thinking of hosting an Oscar party later this month. The focus will be on the big screen – here are some tips to make the most of your TV viewing enjoyment.
Decorating around your flat-screen TV can pose new questions about the best placement for your furniture, especially since wall-mounted TVs generally leave more open space to furnish and decorate. The key is to design a space that allows for relaxed TV viewing while making sure the room can also serve its other purposes. The best way to achieve this is by incorporating a flexible seating arrangement. For example, a sectional sofa offers ample seating for watching TV or gathering around the coffee table for a good game of Scrabble. Avoid turning the family room into a home theater that doesn’t promote social interaction. Instead, arrange sofas and chairs around the TV in the family room or living room into a conversation group, especially if you plan to use the room to play games or entertain guests without the TV. Ideally, the largest or longest piece of furniture, such as the sofa or the longest part of a sectional, should be positioned opposite the TV. This will maximize the space for optimal TV viewing. Loveseats or chairs can be positioned next to the sofa at a 90 degree angle so the person sitting there can easily view the TV or carry on a comfortable conversation with someone seated on the sofa. If you do a lot of formal entertaining in the room, two armless accent chairs can be placed opposite the sofa, to the sides of the TV at an angle. Although the person sitting in either of these chairs won't be able to view the television, they will be able to directly face whoever is seated on the sofa. Placing the chairs diagonally across from the sofa ensures they won't get in the way of the TV. Alternatively, if the space dictates a different layout, try flanking a pair of sofas perpendicular to the television and facing a pair of chairs towards the TV; this arrangement will also encourage lively conversation.
Flat-screen televisions have many advantages to their older counterparts; the ability to wall-mount the television is just one benefit. Wall mounting a flat-screen television is the ideal solution in a room with little space for extra furniture. Wall mounting a TV takes up less space than an entertainment center, but also keep in mind that today’s entertainment consoles offer slimmer profiles to keep up with advanced technology. Consider placing the flat-screen TV above a fireplace to create a warm atmosphere. Mounting a television over a fireplace creates more space in the room for furniture pieces like chairs and end tables. A comfortable swivel chair can be turned around when the TV is not in use for quiet reading by the fire. Positioning a television over a fireplace creates a homey, comfortable environment with the bonus of enjoying a warm fire. As you can see below, a flat-screen television is equally at home in a casual, traditional or contemporary setting. Enjoy these fresh ideas for inspiration:
Sources: www.ehow.com, www.thisoldhouse.com
Photos courtesy of houzz.co