10 Easy TV Wall Design Ideas for a Stylish Space

This post is all about TV wall ideas to help you decorate your living room, bedroom, or media room.

Originally posted in 2021, this article has been fully updated for 2025! All of the pictures are practical, real life examples from our house.

(Since we don’t have built-in cabinets in our space, this post features decor ideas for TV walls without built-ins.)

If you have ever felt annoyed about a TV being the focal point of your living area, I can relate. But the good news is, there are lots ways to make a TV wall look intentional and stylish.

This post may contain affiliate links.

1. TV Accent Wall Molding

Many open concept homes these days have a large TV wall that can feel like a design dilemma. What are you supposed to do with all of that blank space? Personally, one of my favorite ways to start decorating a blank wall is by adding wall molding.

In our living room, I went for a minimalist look with white walls and simple picture frame molding. Scroll down to see a “before” photo that shows what a difference it made!

Molding (also known as wall trim or wainscoting) helps make a space feel more grounded and designed. It sections off a large, blank wall, making it easier to decorate. I will cover some of the other elements I used in our space next!

2. Faux Tree for a TV Wall

Secondly, a TV wall often has empty corners that leave the space feeling bare. A faux tree (or real tree if you have a green thumb) is a great way to fill out a corner, and add a natural element.

This faux olive tree (8 ft) has been one of my favorite living room purchases. I got it to replace our Christmas tree after the holidays, and the organic shape adds life to this corner.

Related: 7 Best Faux Olive Trees for Any Budget

Here is another example of our living room in the fall with a faux maple tree. (I keep the extra tree in my garage or basement when I’m not using it.)

3. Large Wall Mirror

Another one of my favorite TV wall ideas is to use a large arched mirror to fill out the space on the side of the media stand.

A floor length mirror is a stylish and practical way to decorate a TV wall. Not only does it reflect the light and make our space fill larger, but it also provides a place for outfit checks before we head out the door. (Or practicing dance moves, for kids lol.)

Here is the same mirror styled for the holidays with a faux pine garland!

4. Rattan Cabinets for a TV Wall

If you are looking for storage solutions for your living room, an extra long media console is a great option.

I created my TV wall unit using three of these rattan cabinets. For a small living room or bedroom, you could use two cabinets instead of three. The woven texture adds warmth to our space and so much storage.

I kept my decorative items minimal with tray, planter, and table lamp. You could also use stacked coffee table books.

5. IKEA TV Wall Unit

An even more affordable option for a modern TV wall unit is to use IKEA cabinets.

I created this IKEA media console over five years ago and it is so great for an open concept living room. After a few years, I successfully painted it gray (which you may have noticed in some of the photos above).

Previously we had a smaller TV stand and it looked so tiny against this wall. Interior designers will tell you that scale is so important when it comes to making a space feel balanced.

If your media wall feels empty, or the TV is wider than the TV stand, I recommend trying a larger media console!

6. TV Wall Lighting Ideas

When it comes to TV wall lighting, placing table lamps on the TV stand or media console is an easy solution. Throughout this post you will see several lamps that I have used over the years.

Lamps placed at the sides of a TV fill out the space and make it look stylish, but they also reduce eye strain. Personally, I like the soft glow that you get from a fabric lamp shade.

Pro tip: Use a dimmable lamp or smart lightbulbs that you can adjust throughout the day.

Another option for TV wall lighting is to use wall sconces on either side of the TV for a polished look. I shared my favorite wall lights and photos from our home in this post!

7. Turn a TV Into Wall Art

One of the best ways to improve the design of a TV wall is to simply display some artwork on your TV.

Even if you don’t have the Samsung Frame TV, you can still make your TV look like a work of art! The easiest way to accomplish this is with an art slideshow on YouTube.

Alternatively, you can purchase digital artwork to put on your TV. Check out my post How to Display Art on a TV for more tips.

8. Blanket Ladder

Another idea for the corners of a TV wall is a blanket ladder for storage. I chose this curved top blanket ladder because it helps break up the clean lines in our living room.

Blanket ladder too short? I solved the height problem by placing stacked canned goods under the feet of my ladder.

9. TV Wall Shelves

I mentioned at the top of this post (and I’m sure you’ve noticed in the photos) that we do not have built-ins in our living room. While I love the look of built-ins, there are plenty of ways to achieve a similar look on a budget.

Placing a shelf at the side of a TV wall adds height and interest to the space. Here is an example where I used a simple ladder shelf to display decor.

Another option is to use matching bookshelves on either side of the TV for the built-in look, on a budget. I would choose these arched shelves or these open bookshelves as stylish yet affordable options.

10. Paint Media Wall a Dark Color

One final TV wall idea that I wanted to mention is painting the wall a dark color, so that the TV blends in even when turned off.

This photo from our dark green dining room gives an idea of what it would look like. Here I used the color Pinecone Hill by Behr which would be perfect for a TV wall.

I hope you found these TV wall ideas helpful as you decorate your living room, bedroom, or any space with a TV!

Related: You may also like How to Fill Empty Space and Awkward Corners in a Living Room.