Q: We are huge sports and movie fans. What are some clever ways and locations we can incorporate TVs into our home?

A: Gone are the days when televisions were limited to a couch-front spot in the living room. Homeowners are now putting TV sets in numerous places around the house. Using a little foresight and planning, you can incorporate TVs into any room you like. You’ll never have to worry about missing your favorite show or sporting event again if you get a little inventive about where you install the TVs in your home.

• Try hanging a TV above or beside the fireplace. This will create a focal point for the room, while at the same time leaving you with more floor space.
• Wire a TV into your bathroom, close to the bathtub. There’s nothing more relaxing than watching a movie while taking a hot bubble bath. Just make sure it won’t be splashed and damaged by any water sources.
• TVs and bar areas go hand-in-hand. If you enjoy watching sports games from the comfort of a barstool, try installing a TV above the bar or hanging one from the ceiling nearby.
• You could also incorporate a TV into your kitchen cooking area. Hang it from the wall, place it in a cabinet or affix it to the top of a shelf. You could even craft a slide-away panel that will cover the TV when it’s not being used.
• Design a wall-to-wall home entertainment shelving system, which will keep your multimedia organized.
• There are even screens and projectors available on the market for movie fans who want to bring the theater into their home. These screens can be raised and lowered, so they can be put away when not in use.

If you are thinking about installing new television, think about the places in your home where you spend the most time. Whether it’s the living room, workout room, bedroom or home office, the most convenient place to put a TV is a room that is frequently used. 

Many homeowners allow a room’s furniture placement to dictate where their televisions will be set up. Using this method is understandable, but it might not be the best way to find the optimal spot for a television. Consider sun patterns so you won’t be constantly irritated by glare on the screen. You will want to pay attention to the acoustics of the area as well. Echoes or muffled sound can interfere with your viewing experience. In some cases, I would suggest moving the furniture around the television placement instead of the other way around.