HOW TO CREATE THE ULTIMATE BEDROOM TV SETUP

Photo by Paul Postema

Originally Posted On: https://www.myzeo.com/house/how-to-create-the-ultimate-bedroom-tv-setup/

If you are considering a bedroom TV setup, you are not alone. Approximately 60 percent of Americans say that the bedroom is their preferred location for watching TV.

There is a lot of debate over the pros and cons of putting a television in a bedroom. The advantages are that it is a relaxing way to be entertained and unwind. The negative side is that it has the potential to disrupt sleep.

You want your TV setup to add entertainment without detracting from comfort. And you want your setup to be a seamless addition to your room’s aesthetic.

People are finding ways to have the benefits of having a bedroom with a TV while mitigating the potential downsides. And there are many options for how to go about this.

Even though every bedroom is unique, there are a few basic rules you can follow that are applicable to almost any room. Keep reading to find out how you can optimize your TV bedroom setup.

Where to put a TV in a bedroom may be the most important aspect of your scheme. One of the main things to consider is how far you want the TV from where you will be watching it.

This will vary depending on the size. You can get away with having smaller TVs closer to the bed. Larger ones should be farther away, both for viewing reasons and to avoid eye strain.

Regarding height, there are two ways to go. You can place the TV at eye level when you are seated in the bed. This will prompt natural viewing from this position, but only from that position.

Mounting your TV higher on the wall will require a bit of neck tilt when seated. But this will allow you to watch TV comfortably while lying down. But if you place your TV higher up, be sure it can tilt downwards to enhance the viewing angle.

In terms of horizontal placement, ideally, you would want your TV to be center with the end of your bed. This will allow you to look straight on, as opposed to craning your neck or moving your head sideways, when in bed.

For longer bedrooms where this is not an option, consider retractable TVs (see below). These descend from the ceiling or protrude from a structure at the foot of the bed.

There is an exception to this rule though. If you would prefer to keep your TV from being the focal point in a room, consider mounting it perpendicular to the bed. This is ideal if you want your TV out-of-site, but still want to be able to listen to news while getting ready in the morning.

To optimize being able to use it to watch the occasional TV while lying in bed, try placing the unit towards the end of the bed. Having it right next to your bed could be uncomfortable for viewing. It could also make it inaccessible for the person on the opposite side.

As opposed to older, bulkier televisions, flat-screens afford a lot of options for your bedroom TV setup. Which one you choose depends on your style, decorating scheme, and space in the room.

There are so many options for entertainment centers now that you may be able to find one to match your bedroom set. Those that have a “chest of drawers” look can help it blend in and appear more like it belongs in the room.

You may look into custom cabinetry for your TV stand, for the purposes of matching other furniture or choosing the exact design you want. Also, you could include features like cabinet doors to conceal your TV.

For wall mounting, consider adding a frame or “floating” TV stand. This can help blend the unit in with your decorating scheme.

You might add pictures or framed artwork nearby on the wall. This can help draw attention away from the television. Wall-mounted bookshelves can achieve a similar effect.

Another option is to mount your TV on the wall but above a short dresser. This incorporates the television into the space, much like a mirror or piece of artwork.

Retractable TVs are growing in popularity for aesthetic reasons. You can install these in the ceiling or in tables that fit at the foot of your bed. Another option is a TV bed, which has a television designed in the furniture piece itself.

You also could mount a TV on a rotating partition that hides it when not in use. Movable mounts also can help conceal or press the TV flat against a wall or surface.

A challenge with TV bedroom setups is that you have to play the sound loud enough that you can hear, while not disturbing your significant other who is trying to sleep, read, or otherwise relax. There are two alternatives to simply playing your bedroom TV at a low level.

One is using small, surround-sound speakers on nightstands. Not only does this allow you to turn one or the other off, it gives each side of the bed control of their own volume levels.

Another solution is syncing wireless headphones with your television. If this does not disrupt your sleep, it is a great option for situations when one person is watching and the other sleeping.

Total darkness in the room can create eye strain from the TV. At the same time, you may not want a full lamp on while you are watching a movie.

To solve this problem, use small reading lamps or turn on lights in nearby rooms. You also could install a dimmer switch on your lamps or other lights in the room.

If you are planning to watch a lot of television from your bed, you might consider investing in more than pillows to prop yourself up. A support pillow can help cradle your head and neck while you are lying down. And a prop chair (think the top half of a chair without the seat) can add comfort and support.

Now that you have a better idea of what options are available for your bedroom TV setup, you can start deciding which ones might work best for your room and lifestyle. There are plenty of selections to make, but the great thing is that you can easily incorporate a TV setup into any bedroom.

We hope this information was helpful to you. Be sure to check out some of our other home and lifestyle blog posts, as well as those on topics like health, fitness, and money.