The way we view television has come a long way in the last few decades. Instead of waiting for a particular evening at a particular time to view a favorite show, great television is available all hours of the day through streaming services, YouTube, DVR and digital downloads.Â
How to Choose a Wall Color for a Flat Screen TV
The time of day we view TV, plus the ever-expanding and improving technologies behind our TVs can affect the television viewing experience. For example, in the 90s and early 2000s, dark cabinets hid box TVs, but also provided ideal viewing: when your TV is in its own little “theater” the colors and pictures appear brighter.Â
But today’s TVs rarely sit in cabinets, and are more often found mounted to a wall or sitting on top of a sleek entertainment center. And separate family rooms and kitchens almost seem like a thing of the past, too, with light-filled great rooms taking their place. So, while these sleeker TVs take up far less space on the wall, they’re not benefitting from their cave-like spaces of previous decades.Â
Interior wall painting behind your flat screen TV can make your television viewing experience (not to mention the aesthetics of your room) better than ever before. But what color should you paint the wall behind your TV? Here are some of our best tips on how to choose a wall color for a flat screen TV.
1. Dark wall colors
If you absolutely don’t want to notice your TV in your overall decor, paint the wall behind the tv in a dark, muted color. Deep grays and charcoal can be beautiful when used in this way, especially if you want a color with depth.Â
One of the pros to using a darker wall color behind your flat screen TV is that it can also help to balance out an overly bright room. If your great room or family room gets tons of natural light, the room can handle a deeply saturated accent wall. It will provide great harmony in your space.
Dark colors will also give your TV wall more of a theatrical feel. If you’re an individual or part of a family who wants an immersive TV viewing experience, a dark color behind your flat screen will do the trick. It’ll allow the colors of the screen to pop more vividly into the room.Â
Our favorite dark wall colors for a flat screen tv:
Phantom–this dark color is anything but boring with a murky, almost green undertone
MIdnight Hour–it’s a dark color that’s far better than flat black, especially with a navy undertone that provides some movement, depending on the light
Tahitian Treat–if you want to go dark but still love color, this deep almost-black turquoise is perfect
2. Neutral and muted wall colors
If you don’t mind that your TV is on display, but still don’t want to draw too much attention to it, neutral, muted colors can help it blend into the background. With many homeowners loving every shade of greige in the last several years, this might work in your favor, especially if you’re already using one of these neutral colors on the wall.Â
One of the best things about using neutral and muted colors on the wall behind a flat screen TV is that you can decorate around the TV and make those decorative items pop. For example, we’ve seen homeowners make the TV wall the room’s “gallery wall,” hanging pictures and art around the TV. The TV then effectively becomes a part of the artwork, without stealing focus from more colorful or interesting pieces.Â
We’ve also liked seeing earthy and organic tones turned into neutral wall colors. These colors tend to pull in and quiet everything around them. So if you want to keep your TV on the wall, but still want to foster a sense of peace in the room, these earth tones are the way to go.
Best neutral and muted colors to paint the wall behind your tv:
Aldabra–a grey-greige that is great in the background but still has plenty of life
Summer Suede–a muted golden almond that is the perfect backdrop for your favorite animated short
Olive Gray–an earth tone that radiates peaceful groundedness
3. Bright wall colors
Let’s say you have no desire whatsoever to hide your TV. You’re in luck! Bright pops of color are almost tailor made to surround TVs without overwhelming the entire room.Â
For example, if you’re loving the super trendy golden mustard seen all over Pinterest and design magazines, paint it in a solid block (but not extending wall to wall) behind your TV. In fact, you can use painter’s tape to section off the area immediately surrounding your TV and try many trendy or saturated colors. If you’re especially design-daring, this trick can be a great way to bring color into your room in a singular focal point, without overwhelming the eye elsewhere.Â
We do caution that you don’t use a bright color that will compete with your TV viewing experience. So instead of skewing full neon, try vibrant jewel tones which still pack a big color punch but won’t tire you out.
Our favorite “pops of color” for the wall behind your flat screen tv:
Artesian Well–this jeweled aqua is saturated but not too green or blue
Perfectly Purple–purple has made a resurgence lately and this one is as its name suggests: perfect
Turner’s Yellow–we’ve been loving the golden-y, saturated yellows that have been popping up, and this one has the right balance of mustard and sunshine
Get Expert Help Painting the Wall behind Your Flat Screen TV
Our professional interior paint experts are ready to help you paint the wall behind your flat screen TV. We offer free consultations and work quickly so you can enjoy your entertainment room as quickly as possible. Contact us today for a free quote.
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