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A TV is the catch-22 of living room design. Logistically, it makes the most sense to center your layout around them, as they often determine where the seating goes, but to do so is neither aesthetically pleasing nor conscientiously astute. After all, who wants to admit that a TV is the focal point of any space? It’s not nearly as interesting as having a bespoke gallery wall or bookshelf full of collected classics serve as the centerpiece. There are ways to disguise your television in a gallery wall or media console setup, but if you’d rather hide all evidence of its existence, we’ve stumbled across a seriously genius DIY that’ll help you keep your The Crown binge-watching tendencies hidden from plain sight.
The hack comes courtesy of Kristin Guy, an LA-based creative director, stylist, and photographer. Guy posted a stunning before-and-after transformation of her fireplace mantel on Instagram to great fanfare. All that’s required is a rug, a dowel, and a couple of sturdy hooks—it’s a simple DIY that really transforms any space and won’t take more than a weekend to complete.
“I’ve never been a big fan of seeing the television, and when we bought our home, there was only one dedicated place for it to live—mounted above the fireplace,” explains Guy of the impetus behind the project. “Not wanting a black box to be the focal point of the room, I immediately started brainstorming ideas on how to tastefully conceal it while not in use.”
Guy took the transformation a step further, painting the backdrop of her fireplace and mounting a faux mantel to create a perfectly styled vignette; but for those short on time or budget, it’s a totally optional move. The best part is that it’s totally customizable.
“There are so many different styles of rugs out there; go bold with graphics or more soft and minimal,” says Guy, noting that her favorite spots to find cool rugs are Aelfie, Amber Interiors, West Elm, and even Etsy. “You can play the hanging hardware up or down. If you’re not into brass, go for matte black. The wooden dowel can also be stained any color you’d like or completely swapped out for a decorative curtain rod.”
We asked Guy to share the step-by-step process for her gorgeous fireplace DIY. Keep reading till the end for a few of our favorite tiny rug picks that’ll help you transform your own space, infusing a pop of color in the process.
You Will Need:
- 4×6-foot flat-weave rug, depending on TV width
- 2 sturdy brass hooks and wall-mounting hardware
- 1 wooden dowel, at least one inch in diameter
Instructions:
- Cut the wood dowel so it overlaps eight to 10 inches on each side of your television screen. Shown here is a 67-inch dowel to cover a 48-inch monitor.
- Attach the brass hooks or hanging hardware approximately six inches away and two to three inches above your television monitor.
- Fold the flat-weave rug over the wooden dowel and hang for a super-easy and lightweight wall hanging that hides your television in style.
The Aelfie rug that Guy picked is a versatile option guaranteed to work in a number of spaces.
Use this handmade piece, with its abstract, semi-circle shapes, to give your space a playful touch.
Go bold with a graphic print in monochromes and muted mauves. Set against a dark, rich-hued wall, this rug will look particularly striking.
Ochre is having a color moment right now, and this textile is an easy way to incorporate a small dose of the hue in your living room.
Channel desert vibes with this sunset-hued flat-weave rug.
Abstract lines and punchy primary shades unite to create a perfectly contemporary rug.
Each of artist Dana Haim’s pieces is super special, and her made-to-order assortment of rugs is especially so. We love this one for its simplicity. A clean backdrop peppered with tiny abstract shapes will bring style to your walls without overpowering them.
Handwoven in Oaxaca, this subtle piece works well with a warmer color palette. If your living room has an earthy feel to it, with pops of terra-cotta and natural wood, this is the TV-hiding rug for you.
See more easy DIYs: 6 Genius Little Ways I Repurpose Used Candle Jars How to Turn Antique Tables into Chic Decor 10 Ingenious Ways to Hack IKEA’s Billy Bookcase