I love a good corner cabinet. We had this one for many years (bought it from a local family) and loved it! I still loved it when I passed it along to the next lucky family. When I decided that my “brown phase” was over and I was moving towards the grays/whites, I switched out the large corner TV cabinet for something more simple like this: https://amzn.to/40buItG. (Also because my husband decided that we needed a bigger TV…even though our TV was just fine!)
The biggest challenge was deciding where the TV would go. Which wall? Or back to the corner? Yes, it also matters where the cable comes out of the wall, but that can be moved. (I’ve put the wire under the carpet and ran it up and over a sliding glass door in another room…but if the option is there, I would always choose putting it under the carpet.) I feel that two things truly matter: #1 seating, and #2 glare from a window.
# 1 Seating
What TV position will optimize viewing? It’s not like we’re obsessed with the TV. We don’t watch it that much to be honest. But if we have family or friends over for a Steeler Game or plan a family movie night, I want people to be able to see the TV from all seats.
I’m well aware that the piano makes my room look a little crowded in the back. This piano brings back such fond memories of my childhood, so it’s a keeper! I’ve tried many different placements and this is currently the winner. I decided to make seating the main priority, but I think my sentimental (and beautiful) little piano looks perfect in the corner. It’s ready for my Christmas carols all year round!
# 2 Glare
Our TV probably wouldn’t be in the corner if it weren’t for our window. We wanted the TV directly across from the window because that is where the seating would have been best. The front of our house (where the window is) gets afternoon sun. The glare makes it impossible to see the TV, therefore we needed another option. We still have a little bit of glare, but it is very manageable.
My only word of caution is to try out wherever you think you may want the TV to go before you start mounting it! The holes created when mounting a TV are large, so it would be a shame to have to try patching them if you decide you don’t like where you put it. (It can be done, but it’s still a challenge.) My dad said my grandfather would always say, “measure twice, cut once,” when referring to cutting wood for construction. That same lesson applies to holes in the wall! To make sure you like the TV placement, try moving the TV around the room and leaving it there for a few days. Move your furniture around with it! Think of the pros and cons of each position.
This photo is not the best look for my room – But you get the picture! I never intended on the TV going on that table. I just used it to see if I would like the TV on that wall. Keep moving the room around until you find the perfect placement.
Another thing I like to do is cut out a big piece of cardboard the size of the TV I want to get and tape it to the wall (using painters tape so it won’t rip the paint). That way I can see if I want that TV size. I know this isn’t rocket science, but this little trick really helps me visualize my room!
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
For us, the corner won! That was the location that worked best for us. I made sure to get a corner mount like this one, https://amzn.to/46DbSOI. I also used this cable concealer kit to hide the wires: https://amzn.to/3Fw9ugC. It worked great! There was also enough materials that I was able to do two separate rooms, and I still have some left over if I need them in the future. It was easy to “install” and is paintable, as well (although I chose to keep it white).
This is the "before" picture. Don't judge the Magna-Tiles mess. I have young children, remember. 🙂
And the "after" picture, minus the Magna-Tiles.
