Seems like not that long ago television screens were housed in small walnut cabinets in our living rooms, and computers were so large they required suites of space in office buildings. As one technology has grown, another shrinks in size. The question becomes, how do you fit these technological wonders into your home?
We are fortunate to have gotten past the age of gargantuan television sets whose size and weight bowed even the heartiest shelving unit. Now we can enjoy the largest viewing screens without the weight or bulk. The challenge becomes where do you put it?
The simplest solution is to hang the television screen on the wall. In many households this modern convenience is turned on more hours than off. You'll enjoy a continuously changing display of artful images for the wall. If your décor is modern, the minimalist black frame of the television is just the look you want. For a more traditional room décor, you're still in luck. Picture frame s, designed especially for televisions, are now available in your choice of wood tones and colors to coordinate with the style of your room.
What if you don't want the television to be the focal point? Simply surround the screen with a wall of cabinetry. The television, either hanging on the wall or setting on a cabinet below, flanked by two tall bookcases will blend more easily into the room decor. A cabinet or valance that spans the bookcases above the screen creates a truly built in look. The storage provided by the cabinets houses other electronic equipment and open shelves give you options for interesting decorative displays of accessories, plants and photos.
Visually pull the wall grouping of cabinets toward your seating area by using an area rug that extends beyond your sofa and chairs toward the wall unit. Here's your opportunity to blend the décor of the cabinetry with the other furniture. Use a contemporary area rug for a clean, casual look. For a more traditional feel, select an Oriental rug if you like a formal look, or the cozy warmth a braided area rug.
Computer technology has become so small and compact; anywhere you sit can become your office. For a more productive alternative, carve out a designated work space for your desktop or laptop computer.
A separate room or office space may be your ideal, but not always a practical alternative in a busy household. However, it's easy to create a space within a space in almost any room. First choose which room. Living room, dining room or bedroom spaces usually have a corner or a wall, away from the traffic area that is large enough for small desk or table and chair.
To define your space, use a small area rug below the furniture. Not only will this mark your territory, it will psychologically act as your creative landing pad while you work.
If the kids are also using the computer select a fun color for the rug like red or yellow that accents your décor. They'll look forward to homework time in this special s pace.
Add an appropriate desk lamp, a decorative cup for pens and pencils, and favorite photos for inspiration next to your computer. If you're limited on desk top space, the computer's printer could go below the desk surface on a lower table, stool or hassock. Your computer time, for business or pleasure, will be more productive and you'll enjoy the benefits of having a separate work space of your own.
Technology, an integral part of our daily lives, has moved into our home spaces as well. Those large screens, monitors and assorted electronic hardware and media need not look out of place. Embrace your home technology with creative space solutions.
Sarah Crosset has worked in the interior decorating field for many years and loves to share her home decorating experiences and ideas with home owners everywhere. Here is some more ideas for decorating your media room.
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