Today on Decorate or Renovate?, I’m walking you through four ways to decorate around your TV — specifically, what to do with that big blank wall that so many people hate living with.
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If your TV wall feels awkward, unfinished, or like it’s completely taking over the room, you’re not alone. The most common instinct I see is to jump straight to renovation — custom millwork, built-ins, shelving, cabinetry — because it feels like the “correct” solution.
The problem is, custom millwork averages about $1,000 per linear foot, which means a TV wall can easily turn into a $10,000–$15,000 project before you’ve even styled it.
In this video, I show you what you can do instead — how to integrate your TV using decorating alone so it looks intentional, balanced, and finished, without ripping anything out.
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I also talk honestly about the one situation where millwork really is the better answer: fireplace walls. If your TV is sitting on a console beside a fireplace, that creates two competing focal points and a “lumpy” layout that’s very difficult to make look right long-term. In those cases, renovating the wall properly can be the smartest decision (below) and I’ll show you what that millwork should look like.
That’s the heart of Decorate or Renovate? — knowing when decorating is enough, and when renovation is actually worth it.
👉 Watch the video below to see all four decorating solutions and decide which one works for your home.
The Killam Colour System™ in Action
Turn your blank TV wall into a finished focal point with a real decorating plan.
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Some good ideas, but having a piece of art partially hidden behind a TV just doesn’t look right, nor does it look intentional. IMHO.
I love these posts! I noticed all the picture lights in this post. Marria, please do a segment on picture lights that do not require an expensive electrician followed by repairing and painting the wall! Picture lights that adhere to the wall, are battery operated and remote. How do you get the bulb color right, how do you hang them vis a vis the picture? Thank you!
It’s going to be great when something like The Frame TV becomes more affordable!
Until then …
I have my TV on a console. I do not have a fireplace. Right now there is just one picture above my TV but it looks lonely and off center (it actually is off center because the console is) so I want to take your advice and see what I can find to go around the one picture and fairly close to the TV itself. I have been scared of putting nails in the wall and that has hindered me. Another question I have is do I do color pictures or stick with the one I have up already that is beige with a little black in it and white background. Not too far on another wall I have a large picture of Betsy the Cow and she is all kinds of color.
Take them both to HomeSense to find art to coordinate. And make sure you watch my gallery wall module where you can learn how to do this and which nails are the best so you can barely see the holes if you change your mind! It’s available inside my Dream Home Club https://mariakillam.com/truecolourinsider/
Hi!
New to your channel and loving your ideas. Question: what do you do with the tv if placing it above the fireplace makes watching the tv strain your neck, but there is also not enough space ie. 23 inches, on each side of the fireplace, making it so there is not enough room for a console and tv beside it? Stumped in an open concept design.
Well it means that it wasn’t designed for a TV, sometimes there is no other solution other than to rip things out in order to make it perfect and if you can’t do that, then perhaps on the wall beside the fireplace? Maria
Here’s a possible solution for the issue many of us have with hanging “art” and layering it behind other elements like lamps or TVs — we need a change of vocabulary. If we don’t mind obscuring it, it’s not really ART. So how about calling these illustrative or mass produced decorative pieces “pictures” — problem solved?
I see what you’re saying, but I disagree. There’s a lot of abstract art that doesn’t need to be fully visible to do its job in a room. Designers layer lamps or decor in front of art all the time — and no one questions whether it’s “real art” because part of it is obscured.
Layering isn’t about disrespecting the art. It’s about creating depth and a natural composition. Rooms feel more dynamic when elements overlap slightly instead of sitting side by side with equal spacing.
Even in galleries, you’ll see large-scale abstract work partially interacting with architecture, shadows, or other pieces. The impact often comes from colour, scale, and composition — not from seeing every inch of the canvas.
So for me, it’s less about vocabulary and more about intention. If the art is contributing to the overall composition of the room, it’s doing its job — even if a corner is tucked behind a TV.
Decorating is arrangement. And sometimes arrangement means a little overlap. Thanks for your comment! Maria
I have a corner tv cabinet which has created two blank walls. How would you hang artwork on two walls?
Hello,
Contemplating the ikea cabinets for under TV and mimicking the built in bookshelf above them . My wall is 139” long.
Thoughts?