In my column, Ask Deb Nelson, a reader wrote in asking about where to place a TV in her open kitchen/family room – she didn't want to put it above her fireplace mantel. Obviously people need to go with a TV solution that works for them – it's a common question – where to put the TV?! But the reality is, for people with kids and an open concept family room, there is probably going to be a large TV in the room. At least the size of TV's has improved, these days most people have a thin plasma screen TV, so it can easily be wall mounted. One way to deal with the TV is to just put it out there on a stylish console (above image shows one from Westelm). I like the style of this console and depending on the room layout it would add some balance and symmetry to have two matching consoles on either side of the fireplace. The TV can be placed on the console and you can add a stack of books, or a few other items beside the TV. On the other side you could have a lamp and artwork behind it to balance out the room. The great thing about a closed door cabinet like this is that is also provides you with quite a bit of storage. It also is made for TV equipment, so the components can go inside and there are holes in the back for the wires. This can help cut down on the unsightly mass of cords.
Here are a few other ideas of great consoles for a TV. From Westelm:
From Restoration Hardware:
From Ikea:
From Westelm:
