Long, long ago - say, back in the '90s - style dictated hiding our bulky TV sets behind doors.
Today TVs are sleek and slim, and we want to show them off.
Incorporating televisions and home theatre systems into our homes in a visible but attractive way has led to a whole new set of decorating challenges - or opportunities, depending on how you look at it.
Electronics maker LG has even coined a term for this blending of technology and decorating: "techorating".
The company has hired technology consultant Janna Robinson as its techorating spokeswoman.
"You don't want your technology to dominate the space," she says, but you want to work it into the room in a way that optimises its use.
Start by putting the TV where it's comfortable to view, she says. The usual recommendation is to position the TV so the middle of the screen is at the viewers' eye level, about 106cm to 132cm above the floor. But there are other schools of thought, she says, and sometimes the limitations of the room require different placement.
Generally you want to view the TV from a spot that's as close to head-on as possible, especially for 3-D TVs, Robinson says. However, she notes that some TVs are designed to be viewed comfortably from any angle.
She's a big proponent of mounting the TV on a wall, and she notes that many mounts are available that let you tilt the TV, pull it out from the wall and turn it to improve the viewing angle.
That means the TV can be moved into a variety of positions to make it comfortable for game-playing, while exercising and other uses.
If you choose to set the TV on a piece of furniture instead of mounting it, your options have improved, Robinson says. Even affordable TV furniture is designed to hide components and wires. And even more good news: "It's not as ugly as it was years ago".
Generally, plasma TVs provide the best picture, Robinson says, but they're best viewed in the dark. In a space such as a family room that typically has ambient lighting, an LCD or LED television is a better choice.
She suggests treating the TV wall as an accent wall and painting it a dark colour to make the picture pop out. That will create a sense of depth and "make your room look spectacular", she says.
Sound is also an issue, Robinson notes. Sound reverberates in a room with bare walls and floors, she says, so it helps to add an area rug and curtains to dampen the sound. In a room with lots of upholstered furniture and heavy curtains, on the other hand, the sound can be muffled.
In that case, she suggests adding hard materials that reflect sound, such as bookshelves or pictures on the walls.
Luckily, there's no longer a need to run speaker wires all over the place to get surround sound, she points out. Some systems have wireless rear speakers, she says, and the quality of wireless sound has improved greatly. Or consider a sound bar, which approximates surround sound without all the speakers, she suggests.
Those simplified forms of audio technology don't require professional installation, but Robinson says choosing the right system can be confusing.
She recommends researching options online and asking friends for recommendations.
A big-box store might not provide the best guidance, she says, because salespeople there sometimes have to deal with so many products that they aren't thoroughly educated on specific items.
Be sure to test a system before you buy. Sound is subjective, Robinson says, so trust your own ears instead of relying completely on product reviews or friends' recommendations.
Then have fun with your selections. TV is entertainment, after all.
Techorating tips
Pick a focal point and begin your efforts from there. If you are working with a larger living space, remember not to go overboard with one particular theme, pattern or technology. With just a few integral pieces, the room can be made to feel spacious, yet comfortable.
Consider the space. Remember, the size of your room matters, but bigger isn't always better. The technology in your room should be in proportion to the room for the best aesthetic and functional fit. Look for the best integration over size.
Keep a clean design. With the TV, speakers, DVD players and more, people today need to practise cord control. New technology and a few easy steps make it easy to maintain a cleaner, more organised look. Go wireless to give your living space a crisp, modern feel.
