21 Brilliant Ways to Style Your Small Living Room TV Without Compromising Style
You don’t have to sacrifice style just because you need a TV in your small living room.
The key is making your screen work harmoniously with your decor instead of dominating the entire space.
These clever design strategies will help you create a beautiful, functional room where your TV enhances rather than detracts from your overall aesthetic.
01. Create a Seamless Wall Background
Credit: Design by Sissy + Marley / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio
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You’ll love how painting your TV wall jet-black makes the screen practically disappear when it’s turned off.
This bold move works especially well when you pair it with white walls and light wood built-ins. The dramatic contrast creates a sophisticated color-blocked effect that turns your TV into part of the architectural design.
02. Choose a Moody Dark Accent Wall
Credit: Brexton Cole Interiors
If black feels too intense for your space, you can achieve the same disappearing act with deep navy, charcoal gray, or forest green.
Dark colors naturally recede, making your TV blend into the background beautifully. Try painting horizontal shiplap in a rich navy shade for added texture and visual interest that draws attention away from the screen.
03. Transform Your TV Into Artwork
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
Frame TVs are absolute game-changers for style-conscious homeowners who want the best of both worlds.
You can display beautiful artwork, family photos, or seasonal landscapes when you’re not watching. Add a picture light above it to complete the gallery wall illusion and make guests do a double-take.
04. Embed It Into Your Architecture
Credit: Design by Ghislaine Vinas / Art Gray Photography
Creating a built-in wall niche makes your TV look like it was always meant to be part of your home’s design.
This sleek approach works beautifully in minimalist spaces where clean lines matter. The seamless integration eliminates visual clutter and creates a custom, high-end look that feels intentional rather than like an afterthought.
05. Break Traditional Placement Rules
Credit: Design by Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
You don’t always have to center your TV above the fireplace, especially in rooms with lower ceilings.
Hanging it off to one side often creates better viewing angles and a more relaxed, casual feel. This unexpected placement can actually make your small room feel larger by breaking up predictable symmetry.
06. Balance With Opposite Wall Decor
Credit: Heather Hilliard Design / Photo by David Duncan Livingston
In narrow, railroad-style living rooms, you can create visual balance by placing artwork on the wall opposite your TV.
Choose a piece that’s larger than your screen to keep your room feeling art-focused rather than tech-heavy. This strategy helps distribute visual weight evenly throughout your small space for better flow and proportion.
07. Integrate Bookshelves Around Your Screen
Credit: Studio Peake
Surrounding your TV with colorful books and decorative objects helps it blend seamlessly into a curated wall display.
Built-in shelving with a custom TV niche makes the screen feel intentional rather than intrusive. The visual richness of books, art, and personal collections gives your eyes plenty of other interesting things to focus on.
08. Echo Black Elements Throughout the Room
Credit: Jenn Pablo Studio
Your TV won’t stick out like a sore thumb if it’s not the only black object in your living room.
Try adding black lampshades, picture frames, or decorative accessories to create visual harmony. When black elements are repeated throughout your space, the TV becomes part of a cohesive color story rather than an eyesore.
09. Add Soft Backlighting to Built-Ins
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Installing LED strip lights behind your built-in shelving creates a beautiful glow that balances your TV’s brightness.
This ambient lighting prevents the screen from being the room’s only light source when you’re watching in the evening. The soft illumination also highlights your decorative objects and makes the entire wall feel warm and inviting.
10. Design a Layered Storage Wall
Credit: Laura Brophy Interiors
You can create visual interest by combining your TV with built-in storage and open display shelving.
Use closed cabinets to hide clutter and remotes, while open shelves showcase your favorite books and decor. Adding patterned wallpaper or paint behind the TV niche gives your eyes something beautiful to focus on when the screen is off.
11. Embrace Bold Color Schemes
Credit: Heather Hilliard Design / Michele Lee Willson Photography
Rich, saturated colors like deep red and navy blue can actually make your TV fade into the background.
When your room has a strong color personality, the black screen becomes just another element in your bold design story. Confident color choices create such visual impact that technology takes a backseat to your decorating skills.
12. Match Your TV Size to Your Space
Credit: Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography
Choosing the right TV size for your wall and room proportions makes everything look intentional and well-planned.
A screen that’s too large will overwhelm your small space, while one that’s too small looks awkward and unfinished. Measure your wall space carefully and consider viewing distance for the most flattering, comfortable setup.
13. Add Decorative Framing Details
Credit: Liz Marie Blog
You can enhance a Frame TV with ornate molding or decorative trim that matches your room’s architectural style.
This approach works especially well in traditional or farmhouse-style spaces where technology needs to feel more at home. The frame details help your TV look like a carefully chosen art piece rather than a modern intrusion.
14. Use Bold Wallpaper as a Backdrop
Credit: Forbes + Masters
Instead of hiding your TV, you can make it part of a stunning feature wall with graphic wallpaper or bold patterns.
The visual movement and interest from the pattern gives your eyes something engaging to look at even when the screen is off. This confident approach turns your TV wall into a true focal point that adds personality to your space.
15. Create Texture Behind Your Screen
Credit: Laura Brophy Interiors
Wood slats, stone veneer, or textured paint behind your TV adds architectural interest that makes the screen feel integrated.
Natural textures bring warmth and depth to your wall while providing a sophisticated backdrop. This approach works especially well with Frame TVs that can display nature photography or abstract art when not in use.
16. Keep Your TV Wall Clean and Simple
Credit: Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo
Sometimes the most elegant approach is mounting your TV on a clean wall with minimal styling underneath.
A simple wood console provides storage and warmth without competing for attention. Balance this minimalist approach by adding colorful artwork and textiles elsewhere in the room to create visual interest without clutter.
17. Use Color Blocking for Integration
Credit: Laura Brophy Interiors
A strict black and white color palette makes your TV look like an intentional part of your room’s graphic design scheme.
Color-blocked walls create such strong visual impact that technology feels like part of the architecture. This bold approach works especially well in modern or contemporary spaces where clean lines and contrast are key.
18. Frame Your TV with Wall Sconces
Credit: Design by Studio-Surface / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Flanking your TV with matching wall sconces creates symmetry and adds ambient lighting to balance the screen’s glow.
This classic approach makes your TV feel more like a deliberate design element rather than an afterthought. Choose sconces that complement your room’s style while providing soft, flattering light for evening relaxation.
19. Add a Sleek Frame Border
Credit: Mindy Gayer Design Co.
Installing thin trim around your wall-mounted TV gives it a more polished, built-in appearance.
This simple upgrade makes your screen look intentional and finished, especially when paired with matching built-ins or cabinetry. The frame detail helps your TV integrate seamlessly with your room’s architectural elements for a custom, designed look.
20. Nestle It Within Built-In Storage
Credit: White Sands Design Build
Positioning your TV within a wall of white built-ins makes it feel like part of a cohesive storage and display system.
The surrounding shelving filled with books and decorative objects gives your eyes plenty of visual interest beyond just the screen. This approach maximizes storage in your small space while keeping everything organized and beautiful.
21. Embrace a Monochromatic Palette
Credit: Kara Mann
A black and white color scheme throughout your entire room makes your TV screen blend seamlessly into the overall design.
When everything works within the same tonal range, technology becomes just another design element rather than a focal point. This timeless approach creates a sophisticated, cohesive look that feels both classic and contemporary.
Final Thoughts
Creating a stylish small living room with a TV is absolutely achievable when you use these thoughtful design strategies.
The key is treating your screen as part of your overall decor scheme rather than something you need to hide or apologize for.
Whether you choose bold colors, clever built-ins, or strategic placement, your TV can enhance your space’s style instead of detracting from it.
