Without a doubt, without any bit of hesitation or yammering I can tell you that the most difficult decision I've had to make during this entire kitchen renovation is ... where to put the stupid television.
I still hate where I put my television in the living room 2 years ago, so I can't totally be trusted with this sort of thing.
I can't decide if I want a big television, or a smaller one, should it be hidden, shown off, on the counter, on a wall?
I thought I had it all figured out. 3 times. 3 times I thought I knew exactly where the television should go and then some niggly little thought wormed its way into my brain and I reconsidered my decision.
I used hunks of cardboard and put them throughout the kitchen to see how I thought I liked them. Generally speaking I found I didn't like hunks of cardboard anywhere.
You'd think that once televisions became ultra slim, flat, and only 3" deep they'd be easier to deal with. But they're still big black holes.
So I finally took to the Internet to see if I could come up with anything there.
I found a few things I liked and two definite possibilities, along with a bunch of other things that wouldn't work for me, but were really interesting ways for incorporating flat screen televisions into your house or apartment.
Like this ...
I don't have any bookshelves in my kitchen, but I love this idea of putting a framed picture on a hinge that just opens up like door to reveal the TV.
The biggest issue I've always had with this sort of thing is that I'm not sure I'd ever be closing up the frame. I mean I guess I could close it up at night before I went to bed, but I'd probably be opening it up again the next morning. So it seems kind of pointless for me.
Yet another idea I can't use came to us from no other than Tricia Rose of Rough Linen! There I was browsing the Internet for interesting flat screen stands and up came a post from Remodelista.com gushing about Tricia's DIY television easel.
See the full DIY here.
That post in turn led me to a slew of other TV easels.
from Restoration Hardware
These were way too big for my modest sized kitchen. I mean I'm not Joan Collins. BUT ... they gave me an idea.
I could use a small, tabletop easel to put my television on the counter.
This one is only $20 from Curry's art supply store.
Or there's this one that even has pull out drawers where you could put the remotes.
$50 from Curry's
Both of these would work for me if I decide to put a small television on my counter in the corner, like this ...
(no this is not my kitchen, and no that is not my Wolf stove)
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I also looked into under cabinet televisions but they average about 8" wide, so just large enough for a small family of moles to watch comfortably. Then I discovered under cabinet television mounts!
from Amazon
With these you can turn any television into an under cabinet television that can be pushed up, out of the way whenever you want.
Another thing people seem to be doing, which would work really well for some people, is mounting their television on the inside of their cabinets, either leaving the doors on, or in some cases taking the doors off entirely.
from BH&G
Then there's the option of using my big brick wall for a large television.
(please excuse the crap iPhone picture, and no ... I haven not yet figured out the whole ceiling/wire/crown issue
and I just hung the wood pizza peel and 2 copper pots to see how I liked the idea of filling the wall with pots)
My brick wall is right across from my island (which you've seen tiny bits of in recent posts) but isn't easily visible from any other part of my kitchen. My sink is on the opposite wall so I'd have to turn my head completely around a la The Exorcist to see the television, and it's also at a 90 degree angle from the rest of my counter. So, 80% of the time I couldn't see the television unless I made an effort.
But like my kitchen designer Carol Reed pointed out, it would look great on the brick, worked into a gallery wall.
via House Revivals
via DecorPad
via DecorPad
It's a great idea and would look great but that wall could be used as a display for so many great things. And I could change it up whenever I wanted to. But not if I have a television in the middle of it. But the television gallery wall would look great. But so would copper pots. But so would the television gallery wall. But so would wood cutting boards and rolling pins. But so would the television gallery wall.
Plus there's the issue of wiring the television onto a brick wall. If only I had a plug right there. Oh wait. I did. In insisted my electrician, Dave remove it.
He said "Maybe you should leave this plug in case you ever need it".
I said "NO. Don't be stupid. I will never need a plug there. I hate it. Remove it this instant."
And so he did.
Regardless, I could work around that pesky problem if I ever did finally decide that I'd like a big flat screen television on that wall. But I seem unable to make this decision.
So for the time being I'll be in the living room, staring at a wall, holding a bucket of black paint.
I'd never ask you to share a chocolate bar, (that's crazy talk) but if you liked this post ... please share it.
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cathy
OK, the woman wants a tv folks---got it loud & clear. looks like opinion # 60 is no easel, tv in corner on counter where you can see from stove top, sink, prep area, eating area. This is kinda like trying on clothes or shoes....got to walk around in them awhile to get the best fit.
Cathy!
Teddee Grace
You don't have to have a television. I've proven it by being without since 2012. However, if you must, the black wall camouflage is really appealing.
Karen
Yes. Yes, I do have to have a television. ~ karen
Maria
Do you have cats or dogs or children? A $600 flat screen on an easel is $600 flipped over and broken on the floor
Karen
Maria! I don't know where you're shopping for flatscreens, but I suspect you should shop elsewhere, lol. A top of the line 32" flatscreen by Samsung or Sony is about half that. $299. ~ karen!
Maria
Even if it was $50, it's still broken flipped over on the floor. The cats destroyed yet another lamp and lampshade in their never ending battle for feline supremacy. The easel thing is beautiful but what do you do with the wires? Our flat screen is bolted to the wall where there is a 50% chance the cats will still knock it off
Karen
Once I've finalized my tv placement, I'll have the cable and outlet placed directly behind it so you won't see any wires. That's the plan. ~ karen!
Bobbi
Wow...can't really figure out why so many folks don't want you to have a TV in the kitchen. I have no real advise, except as someone else mentioned, make sure you don't end up with neck strain. The cardboard cut outs are a really great tool for what you are doing. Best of luck in your decision making. Can't wait for the reveal.
Karen
Yeah. I've been wondering that myself, lol. And yes, I've had every sized cardboard cutout imaginable! 32", 19", 28", 22", lol. ~ karen!
Sara Plaia
I am a picture framer and I have framed TVs for customers, and a couple of them were like a two way mirror. I don't know how it works, but when the TV is off it just looks like a mirror (not the best, clearest mirror out there, but not a black hole) and you can pick any frame you want..... though you don't have to frame it.
Of coarse, I don't remember the TV brand.... and I have a feeling that they cost a pretty penny.
Kristi
Flip down under cabinet mount with a swivel gets my vote. I did this for my iPad during my kitchen reno and love it. Of course, that only works for a small, ultra slim tv or tablet. I can't wait to see the reveal! Also, love your pot light speakers idea! Brilliant! Ordering now.
Sheri
Lots of good ideas. But the first thing you need to consider is where you will be sitting/standing when you want too see the television. And then work out where the television would need to be for that to happen.
Jill
In my kitchen it's in the corner under the cabinet. It's kinda of dark there and you can see the screen really well even though it's not huge. I love TV and love it in the kitchen. If it wasn't for the TV in the kitchen I would be mad at everyone else who is watching TV freely while I slave over dinner or worse yet washing the dishes.
TV in the kitchen! Yay!
Fifi
Has anyone ever painted their tv's frame? And why don't the tv manufacturers offer more c0lour options...like in the 70's, when orange was in? I am sure you could at least find a Scandinavian white tv ...that would look good! Gosh, we have done paint make overs to every other surface known to humanity, including kitchen appliances, how bout the tv ? Curious minds must now google this, like Moi!!!! Bye ;-)
PS I have a lovely silver 9" tv with VCR slot below, that I had in the kitchen for my daughter, when she used to watch Baby Einstein videos while eating her peas and carrots...you're welcome to test it out Karen!
Nancy
I like the Amazon pull down thing. Or maybe a ceiling pull down thing. Don't put it on the brick wall, you will end up with a crick in your neck. And then you won't feel well. And I won't have as much fun stuff to read. If Karen wants a big TV in her kitchen, get over it, everybody. Sheesh.
Valerie
I give up, OK, you want/need a TV in your kitchen.
Many of my guests congregate in my kitchen. Would you be able to accommodate a comfy easy chair in there as well? I have one in my kitchen and love it.
michelle romaniuk
Do not put the tv on the counter, you need all the space you can get. Plus you will be cleaning the kitchen bits and grease from the screen (but then you might be a very clean cooker and not need to clean). I like the idea of the gallery wall surrounded by the objects of your desire......
Nancy Blue Moon
No ideas for the TV but I love that brick wall..
Barbie
Admittedly I didn't read "all" the comments today so if someone already suggested sorry for the repeat! ....but what about using your ipad in the kitchen? ...and setting it up on a very small easel? We were going to buy my mom an under-mount tv for her kitchen until my sister said she just uses her ipad for the kitchen (gotta have dish I think) don't know what the satellite deal is there for you in Canada.
Karen
I've had pretty much every suggestion there is and yes, iPad was one of them. :) I can't watch television on my iPad, and I'm looking for something larger as well. BIGGER is better. Except with feet. ~ karen
Patti
I have my kitchen tv on top of a free standing corner cabinet. Not the best place, but I really only listen to the tv when I'm working in the kitchen so it's ok. However, if I had the counterspace I would definitely put it there so I could see it.
Susan
Wherever you put it, keep it away from heat. I cringed in looking at the photo of the TV in a cabinet ABOVE A WALL OVEN. That TV wouldn't last very long. My personal preference would be a TV that folded up under the cabinet, that, when folded down, could tilt and swivel, but that's based on the layout of my kitchen. If I recall correctly, your kitchen is sort of a straight line of cabinets along one wall, with the sink and stove within that wall of cabinets. So perhaps the right endmost wall (as you face the sink) would be a good place, with the TV on an arm that can be pulled out and swiveled so that you can also see it if you're working at the island? If it's important to not be able to see it, then build a little box around it that swings open to reveal it. If your refrigerator is in that location, then you could attach the box to the bottom of the cabinet adjacent to the refrigerator, and attach the swing arm to the back of the box. I also like the easel idea, especially as, if you change your mind, you can always use the easel elsewhere in the house for display.
Kristin Ferguson
I'm absolutely not asking this in a judgey way, but why do you want a TV in the kitchen? I find my eyes are always busy trying to make sure I don't cut one of my fingers off or put the chopped onions into the creme brûlée custard. Or, rarely, they are busy briefly darting to my laptop to check a recipe. The kitchen, for me, is a room expressly designed for an iPod packed with fascinating podcasts, i.e. This American Life, Stuff You Should Know, The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. Maybe a little Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. But do tell what you watch on TV in the kitchen!
Karen
Well, for instance, I was just in my kitchen doing a photo shoot for an upcoming post. It just so happens that I was doing it at noon when the news was on. I like to be able to have the news on and do my work at the same time. In terms of cooking, there are often days where I'm in the kitchen cooking for 8 hours. (See my tortellini series) This mainly happens on weekends of course, so it's great to be able to settle into my 8 hours of cooking with a television. Also, during the evening if I'm watching television in the living room, I'll often have it on in the kitchen as well, so if I run into the kitchen for something I don't miss anything. And those are just the few reasons I can think of off the top of my head. :) ~ karen!
DanaM
Do you have a refrigerator yet? I've seen some that incorporate a tv into the door front. If that's not an option, I would do a hybrid of the black paint and pot collage....picture a horizontal black stripe on the wall about the height of the tv so it blends in, with pots and kitchen items artfully arranged on the wall. This retained some of the crisp look of the white, hiding properties of the black and the art of the kitchen item displays. Of course you'll have to get that outlet.
Jeannie B
What a dilemma! I have a small black and white TV on top of my fridge. It's been there for over three decades. Only the fridge has changed. When I was making dinner, I could catch the news. But, I don't think I can get anything on it anymore since TV went digital. Same as the little one in the bathroom. But it's also a radio.
Karen, what is that big screen on the Marilyn Dennis show? It often has seasonal scenes on it sometimes and is a great background?
I heard today that if you eat your meals alone, you can now get a virtual partner on a screen, to dine with you. Invented by the Chinese I think. So you wouldn't have to eat alone.
janpartist
I'm an artist and really think the cute little easel is a somewhat too over the top but if you get one definitely get the one with the drawer. I'm sorry but I agree with you that a TV is a must in my kitchen sometimes it's a nice break to throw together a nice sandwich and grab a counter stool and munch while watching Nichole Curtis tear into a 100 yr old re-hab. My kitchen Tv is a smallish one that sits on it's stand in the corner. I don't really have all that much counter space but I never came up with a spot that sounded better-and besides if the TV wasn't there I'd have some other kitchen gadget or flower pot or something else there anyway.