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Here’s a myth that needs to die. A lot of people think the TV has to be the main event of a living room and everything else just has to sit there quietly. Not true at all!
The television is honestly just one more object on a wall. Once you start treating it that way, decorating around it gets so much easier, am I right?
This list pulls together 29 ways to actually style that awkward zone. Some ideas lean into shelves and cabinets, others are as simple as a plant or a tray of candles.
Every idea here got picked because it works in a real house, not a showroom. Nothing on this list requires ripping out walls or hiring an electrician, lol!
Scroll through, save the ones that catch your eye and mix a few together if you want. Who says you can only pick one?
By the end you’ll have way more ideas than wall space. That’s a good problem to have!
DECORATE AROUND TV STAND IDEAS
Gallery Wall Behind Television Console
A gallery wall behind the television pulls focus up and around instead of just at the screen. Mix frame sizes so the eye keeps moving.
This works especially well if the console underneath is plain. The frames do all the personality lifting. How cute is that?
- The frame mix that fools everyone
- Thrift store frames spray painted to match
- Leave gaps for breathing room
Symmetrical Bookcases Flanking Television
Symmetrical bookcases on either side turn the television into the calm center of a much bigger built-in look.
Fill one side with books and the other with baskets so it does not feel too matchy.
This is the setup that makes a rental apartment look intentional!
- Instant built-in without the built-in price
- Two matching bookcases from a big box store
- Baskets hide the cable mess
Potted Plants Beside Console
Potted plants beside the console soften all those hard edges. A tall fiddle leaf on one side, something trailing on the other. Suddenly the wall breathes!
No green thumb? Faux plants have come a long way. No shame in that.
- The green fix that costs almost nothing
- A snake plant survives total neglect
- Trailing pothos softens sharp corners
Woven Baskets For Storage Styling
Woven baskets do double duty here. They hide remotes and cords while giving the whole console some texture.
Grouping a few different sizes together beats a straight row every time. Your cords disappear and the mess of controllers finally has a home!
- The remote graveyard, finally solved
- Seagrass baskets from a craft aisle
- Stack for height, not a straight line
Layered Frames On Console Top
Layered frames on the console top look easy but there is a small trick to it. Lean the tallest frame in back and step the rest down in front.
Mix a photo, a print and something with texture like a small woven piece.
This is the styling move that photographs the best, honestly, lol!
- Lean, don’t line them up
- Three frames in mixed heights
- A stack of small books as a riser
Statement Mirror Above Console
A statement mirror above the console is one of those tricks people forget about. It adds another layer besides just screen and shelf.
Round mirrors soften a room full of straight lines. Rectangular ones echo the shape of the screen itself, which sounds odd but it works.
- The trick that makes a room look bigger
- Round shape softens a boxy layout
- Hang slightly higher than eye level
Floating Console With Wall Decor
A floating console skips the bulky legs and gives the wall decor room to actually shine.
Add wall shelving above it and the whole setup reads like a custom media wall.
This is the choice for anyone who wants a sleek look without much furniture.
- Skips legs, keeps the floor open
- Mounts straight into wall studs
- Pairs well with slim wall shelves
Boho Macrame Wall Hanging
A boho macrame hanging beside the television softens all that hardware in the best way.
Off center placement keeps it from turning into a staring contest with the screen. It gets to shine without stealing the spotlight!
- Texture that costs under twenty bucks
- Cotton cord from a craft aisle
- Off-center placement looks more natural
Vertical Wood Slat Accent Wall
A vertical wood slat wall turns the whole television area into a feature instead of an afterthought. It adds warmth without a single extra accessory.
Stain it dark for drama or leave it natural for something more relaxed. Both look great, honestly!
- The accent wall builders swear by
- Pine slats from a lumber yard
- Stain matches existing trim
Faux Fireplace Under Television
Mounting the television over a faux fireplace gives a whole room a cozy focal point that has nothing to do with a screen.
Electric inserts plug right in, so there is no chimney or gas line required.
Somebody always asks if the fire is real. It never is, lol!
- The cozy fix with zero chimney required
- Electric insert plugs into a regular outlet
- Mantel doubles as extra display space
Sconces Flanking Television Wall
Sconces flanking the television add soft light without eating up any console space at all.
Dimmable ones are worth the extra few dollars. Movie night looks a lot better with the lights turned low, who doesn’t love that?
- Ambient light without a single lamp
- Hardwired or plug-in versions both work
- Dimmable bulbs set the mood
Ladder Shelf Beside Console
A ladder shelf tucked beside the console fills that awkward gap most rooms have. No drilling, no mounting, just lean it and go!
Style each rung a little differently. A plant on one, books on another, a small frame up top.
- Leans, no drilling needed
- Bamboo ladder shelf from a home store
- Each rung gets a different vibe
Built In Cabinetry Around Television
Built in cabinetry around the television is the dream setup for anyone who wants everything hidden and tidy.
It costs more than the other ideas here, no question. But it also adds real value to a home, which makes the splurge easier to swallow.
Woven Wall Basket Arrangement
A woven wall basket arrangement brings in shape and texture without adding a single frame.
Group baskets in odd numbers and vary the sizes. Three or five looks far more natural than an even pair.
Even one odd sized basket tossed in the mix can make the whole wall feel less staged.
- Frames without a single photo needed
- Vintage baskets from a thrift find
- Odd numbers group better than even
Ceramic Vases And Sculptures
Ceramic vases and sculptures on the console top add weight and shape without cluttering the surface.
One tall vase, one short sculptural piece, done. It is such a simple formula and it works nearly every time, haha!
- Two pieces, one instant vignette
- A tall vase anchors the grouping
- A small sculpture adds contrast in height
Framed Botanical Print Collection
A collection of framed botanical prints above or beside the television brings a garden feeling indoors. Who wouldn’t want a little greenery on the wall?
Matching frames in a grid look clean and gallery-like. It is an easy way to add color without painting a thing.
- Free printable botanicals online
Console Table Styling Trays
Styling trays on the console corral all the little pieces so the whole thing looks pulled together instead of scattered.
A candle, a stack of books and one trinket is basically the formula. Clutter magically turns into a display!
- The corral trick that stops the clutter
- Three objects max keeps it tidy
Corner Shelving Unit Display
Corner shelving makes use of dead space that most living rooms just waste completely.
Float a few shelves at staggered heights and fill them with a mix of books, plants and small art.
This is a great fix for smaller rooms where every inch matters.
- Dead corner, now doing actual work
- Floating shelves mount into a stud
- Stagger heights for visual interest
Greenery Garland Draped Overhead
Draping a greenery garland overhead softens the whole wall in one quick move. Not in my book has anything else this small made such a difference!
Faux eucalyptus is nearly weightless, so it drapes beautifully and never needs water.
A few extra sprigs tucked near the corners keep it from looking too even.
- Softens hard edges in five minutes flat
- Faux eucalyptus garland from a craft aisle
- Command hooks skip the nail holes
Console With Curtain Backdrop
A curtain backdrop behind the console adds softness and hides an ugly wall in one shot.
Choose a fabric with some texture like linen or velvet. It changes the whole feel of the room instantly!
This is a rental-friendly trick since nothing gets damaged when it comes down.
- The rental fix that hides everything
- Linen curtain on a slim rod
- No damage when you move out
Art Deco Console Styling
An art deco console brings glamour to a wall that would otherwise just be functional. Think brass legs, a mirrored front, curved edges.
Pair it with a single oversized piece of art rather than a busy gallery wall. Let the console do the talking, lol!
- Brass hardware catches light beautifully
- One bold art piece is plenty
Rustic Farmhouse Console Decor
Rustic farmhouse console decor leans into reclaimed wood, iron hardware and warm neutral tones.
A stack of vintage crates beside it doubles as extra storage and looks like it has always been there.
- Looks inherited, actually costs nothing
- Reclaimed wood console from a thrift find
- Vintage crates add rustic storage
Industrial Pipe Shelf Display
Industrial pipe shelving beside the television adds an edgy, workshop feel. It pairs surprisingly well with soft decor around it.
Black iron pipes fitted with wood planks make a shelf that looks custom without the custom price. Who wouldn’t want that kind of deal?
- Workshop looks meet living room comfort
- Wood planks cut to fit
Woven Rattan Media Cabinet
A woven rattan media cabinet swaps hard lines for something warmer and more textured.
It hides all the cords and boxes while still letting a room feel light instead of heavy. This one works especially well in coastal or boho spaces.
Console With Sliding Barn Doors
Sliding barn doors on a console let you hide the television completely when it is not in use.
It is a clever trick for anyone who wants the screen to disappear the second movie night ends, same!
- Barn door track mounts to the cabinet
- Doors slide shut in one motion
Wall Mounted Candle Sconces
Wall mounted candle sconces flanking the television add warmth once the lights go down. Real candles or flameless, both work!
Keep the flames well clear of any cords or fabric nearby. Safety first, always.
- Mount at eye level for glow
Console Styled With Books
Styling a console with books is one of the cheapest ways to add color and personality to that whole area. How great is that?
Stack a few horizontally, stand a few upright and tuck a small object on top of one stack. My bookshelf at home never looks this neat, lol!
- Cheap color that is already on your shelf
- Stack books horizontally for height variety
- One small object on top finishes it
Console With Woven Storage Bins
Woven storage bins tucked under or beside the console keep remotes, blankets and cords out of sight.
Choose bins with handles so they are easy to grab during a quick cleanup.
Guests never need to know what is hiding inside, haha!
- Cleanup in under sixty seconds
- Seagrass bins with handles
- Fits blankets, remotes and cords
Console With Framed Family Photos
Last but definitely not least, framed family photos on the console bring warmth that no store bought decor ever quite matches.
Mix black and white shots with color ones for a look that feels collected over years.
Not that I plan my frame arrangements for hours or anything, haha!
- Mix black and white with color photos
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily
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