A television often occupies one of the largest and most visible walls in a living room, yet the space around it can be surprisingly difficult to decorate.
Leave the wall completely empty and the TV can look like a large black rectangle floating in the room. Add too many frames, shelves and decorative objects and the wall can quickly become cluttered.
The solution is not to hide the television. It is to make it feel like one part of a balanced wall composition.
The right wall art around a TV can soften the hard edges of the screen, fill awkward empty spaces and connect your television with the TV unit, furniture and rest of the living room.
The easiest ways to decorate around a TV are to hang one horizontal artwork above it, place vertical artwork on either side, use one large statement canvas beside the screen, or create a gallery wall around the TV. Keep enough breathing space around the screen and choose artwork that balances the television rather than competing with it.
If the television is on the main feature wall of your living room, you can also browse our Living Room Wall Art collection while planning the layout.
4 Easy Ways to Arrange Wall Art Around a TV
Before choosing the artwork itself, decide where it should sit. Most TV walls work best with one of these four layouts.
1. Artwork Above the TV
Best when there is generous space between the TV and ceiling.
2. Artwork on Both Sides
Ideal for centred TVs and balanced, symmetrical interiors.
3. Statement Art Beside the TV
ART
Great for off-centre TVs or walls with more room on one side.
4. Gallery Wall Around the TV
Best for larger walls and more expressive interiors.
Should You Put Wall Art Around a TV?
Yes, especially when the television sits on a large blank wall.
A TV naturally attracts attention because of its size, dark screen and central position. Artwork helps distribute some of that visual weight across the surrounding wall.
Instead of treating the empty space as separate decorating territory, consider these four elements together:
- the television
- the TV unit or media console
- the available wall space
- the artwork
When their proportions, spacing and alignment relate to one another, the entire TV wall feels more intentional.
1. Hang One Large Artwork Above the TV
One of the cleanest TV wall arrangements is a single horizontal canvas above the television.
This works particularly well when:
- the ceiling is reasonably high
- there is substantial empty space above the TV
- the television sits above a low console
- you prefer modern or minimalist interiors
- you do not want a busy gallery wall
A wide canvas mirrors the horizontal shape of the television without making the wall unnecessarily complicated.
A wide geometric or abstract composition is particularly useful above a TV because the artwork can visually relate to the shape of the screen while introducing colour and texture.
Explore more Abstract Wall Art if you prefer non-figurative artwork.
How wide should artwork above a TV be?
A useful starting point is to choose artwork approximately 50–70% of the visible width of the television.
This is not a strict decorating rule, but it usually keeps the canvas connected to the TV without making the upper artwork visually heavier than the screen.
| TV size | Approximate TV width | Suggested artwork width |
|---|---|---|
| 43-inch TV | About 38 in | 20–28 in |
| 55-inch TV | About 48 in | 24–34 in |
| 65-inch TV | About 57 in | 30–40 in |
| 75-inch TV | About 65 in | 34–46 in |
How far above the TV should artwork be?
Around 4–8 inches between the top of the television and the bottom of the artwork is a useful visual starting point.
The exact spacing should depend on the size of your wall, TV and canvas.
If only a narrow strip of wall remains above the television, leaving it empty will usually look better than squeezing a small picture into the gap.
2. Place Wall Art Beside the TV
For many modern living rooms, wall art beside the TV works even better than artwork above it.
This keeps the upper part of the wall clean while using the empty vertical space beside the screen.
Use artwork on both sides for symmetry
If the television is centred on the wall, place one similar-sized artwork on either side.
Try to keep:
- the artwork dimensions similar
- the distance from the television roughly equal
- the frame finishes consistent
- the visual centres aligned
The two artworks do not have to be identical. A similar colour palette or style is usually enough to make the composition feel connected.
Use one artwork when the TV is off-centre
Many TV walls are naturally asymmetrical because of a doorway, window, shelving unit or furniture layout.
In that situation, do not force artwork onto both sides.
Use the larger open area for one stronger piece instead.
A neutral geometric composition works well beside a television because it can balance the screen without making the wall feel overly busy.
3. Use One Large Statement Canvas Beside the TV
If one side of the TV wall is noticeably wider, a single large statement canvas can look considerably more refined than several smaller frames.
This arrangement works especially well when:
- the TV is positioned off-centre
- one side of the wall has much more open space
- the media console extends beyond the television
- you want a clean luxury appearance
- the room already contains decorative shelving or objects
CANVAS
Large abstract artwork is particularly useful here because it adds colour, movement and texture without creating another strong figurative focal point next to the screen.
Browse the full Abstract Wall Art collection for more statement pieces.
4. Create a Gallery Wall Around the TV
A gallery wall around a TV can make the television feel much less visually dominant.
Instead of seeing one black rectangle surrounded by empty wall, the eye begins to see the TV as the largest rectangular element in a complete composition.
This layout works particularly well in:
- large living rooms
- creative interiors
- entertainment rooms
- eclectic homes
- walls with plenty of unused space
How to arrange a gallery wall around a TV
Start with the television as the visual anchor and build outward using smaller artworks.
Treat the television as the largest frame and distribute smaller pieces around it.
Treat the television as the largest frame and distribute smaller pieces around it.
Before hanging anything permanently, use paper cut-outs or masking tape to test the approximate artwork sizes on the wall.
This makes it much easier to identify awkward gaps or an arrangement that feels heavier on one side.
5. Use Two or Three Canvas Prints Around the TV
If a complete gallery wall feels too busy, a pair or set of three artworks gives you some of the same visual interest with much more structure.
Two vertical artworks
Use one narrow canvas on either side of the TV for a clean symmetrical arrangement.
Three artworks above the TV
A set of three smaller pieces can work above the television when there is enough height, particularly on a wide feature wall.
Three artworks on one side
This can work particularly well when the TV sits closer to one end of the media console.
The most important thing is to keep the spacing between pieces consistent so the artworks read as one group.
What Kind of Wall Art Looks Best Around a TV?
The best artwork depends on your interior style, furniture and how much attention you want the TV wall to attract.
Abstract wall art
Abstract wall art is one of the easiest styles to use around a television.
The TV already introduces a strong geometric shape. Abstract artwork adds:
- movement
- colour
- texture
- softness
- visual interest without adding another dominant subject
For living rooms with beige upholstery, wooden TV units or warm neutral walls, earthy abstract artwork can help connect the dark television screen with the rest of the interior.
Modern and geometric wall art
Modern artwork works naturally with clean TV units, floating consoles and contemporary interiors.
Useful styles include:
- geometric artwork
- minimalist compositions
- line art
- architectural forms
- monochrome artwork
- contemporary abstracts
Black, white and grey artwork can be particularly effective because the palette relates naturally to the television without adding too many competing colours.
See more options in our Modern Wall Art collection.
Landscape and scenery wall art
A dark television can sometimes make a wall feel visually heavy.
Nature and scenery artwork can soften that effect by introducing:
- open skies
- mountains
- greenery
- sunrise scenes
- natural textures
- visual depth
A wide landscape works especially well above a television or beside a TV unit in rooms with earthy, natural or warm interiors.
Browse more Scenery Wall Paintings if you prefer nature-led artwork.
Floral wall art
Not every TV wall needs to look architectural or highly modern.
If the living room has soft upholstery, warm lighting or a more elegant decorative style, floral artwork can balance the hard lines of a television while keeping the space lighter and more inviting.
Explore more Floral Wall Art for softer living-room compositions.
Wall Art Around a TV in a Small Living Room
Small living rooms need more restraint.
A gallery wall containing eight or ten pieces may make a compact room feel even more crowded when the sofa, TV unit and storage furniture already occupy much of the visible space.
Instead, consider one of these simpler arrangements:
- one artwork beside the television
- two narrow vertical artworks, one on each side
- one moderate horizontal canvas above the TV
- leaving the TV wall clean and placing the main artwork on an adjacent wall
The goal is not to fill every available part of the wall. It is to create balance.
For more room-specific ideas, browse our Living Room Wall Art collection.
How to Decorate Around a 65-Inch or 75-Inch TV
Large televisions create a different decorating challenge.
A 65-inch or 75-inch TV already occupies substantial wall space, so surrounding it with lots of tiny artwork can make the overall composition look fragmented.
Instead, favour:
- larger canvases
- fewer pieces
- wider spacing
- one strong vertical artwork beside the screen
- one substantial horizontal artwork above the television
Large TVs generally need large-scale artwork nearby to maintain proportion.
A tiny print beside a 75-inch television will often look disconnected regardless of how attractive the artwork is.
If you have a particularly large feature wall, browse all Cipher Spaces Wall Art to compare different styles and formats.
How Big Should Wall Art Around a TV Be?
There is no single ideal artwork size because the canvas needs to relate to several elements at once:
- TV width
- wall width
- TV console width
- ceiling height
- distance from the sofa
- surrounding furniture
The most important principle is proportion.
If the TV is large, the artwork should have enough visual presence to belong beside it.
If the wall is narrow, oversized artwork may overpower the entire space.
Should Artwork Be Wider Than the TV?
If the artwork is directly above the television, keeping it narrower than the TV usually creates a clearer visual hierarchy.
The television becomes the wider anchor while the canvas provides an additional layer above it.
There are exceptions. A panoramic piece can stretch across a wide feature wall when the artwork, television and console are intentionally designed as one complete composition.
How High Should You Hang Art Around a TV?
The television should always be positioned primarily for comfortable viewing.
Do not mount your TV unnecessarily high just to create space for artwork.
Once the television is correctly positioned, arrange the art around it.
For artwork beside the TV, visually aligning the middle of the artwork with the central area of the television is usually a good starting point.
For artwork above the screen, leave enough breathing room for the two pieces to feel connected without appearing squeezed together.
Should You Put Art Above a TV Mounted Over a Console?
Yes, provided there is enough vertical space.
The most successful arrangement usually creates a gradual visual relationship:
- a wider TV console at the bottom
- the television above it
- a somewhat narrower artwork above the TV
For example, a roughly 30-inch canvas above a 55-inch television and 65–72-inch console can create a natural visual progression.
In contrast, a tiny artwork above a very large TV will often look disconnected from the rest of the wall.
Should You Put Wall Art Behind a TV?
Conventional canvas artwork generally cannot sit directly behind a wall-mounted television because the screen physically covers that space.
Instead, the TV backdrop itself can become part of the design.
Popular options include:
- wooden slat panels
- textured walls
- fluted wall panels
- marble-look surfaces
- painted accent walls
- subtle wallpaper
If your TV already has a strong decorative backdrop, keep the surrounding wall art simpler.
A detailed wall panel combined with many artworks, shelves, lights and decorative objects can quickly become visually excessive.
How to Match Wall Art With Your TV Unit
Wooden TV unit
Wood naturally works well with:
- earthy abstracts
- landscapes
- boho-inspired art
- botanical subjects
- warm neutral compositions
White TV unit
A white console gives you more freedom to introduce contrast through:
- colourful contemporary art
- black-and-white artwork
- modern abstract canvases
- minimalist graphics
Black TV unit
Dark furniture can benefit from artwork containing lighter or warmer tones such as:
- cream
- beige
- gold
- terracotta
- green
- warm grey
Luxury marble TV wall
Large, restrained statement artwork often works better than several small pieces.
Consider:
- oversized abstract artwork
- black-and-gold compositions
- neutral contemporary artwork
- minimal statement canvases
You can compare styles across our Modern Wall Art, Abstract Wall Art and Living Room Wall Art collections.
Common Mistakes When Decorating Around a TV
Using artwork that is too small
The television is already a large visual object. Very small artwork beside it often looks accidental rather than intentionally placed.
Hanging artwork too close to the TV
Leave some breathing room between the artwork and screen. If a canvas almost touches the television, both elements can look squeezed together.
Using too many unrelated colours
The artworks do not need to match perfectly, but there should usually be some visual connection through:
- colour palette
- frame style
- subject
- tone
- overall visual weight
Mounting the TV too high just to make room for art
Comfortable viewing should come first.
Arrange the artwork around the correct television position rather than moving the TV to make the décor fit.
Filling every empty space
Negative space is part of the design.
A TV wall does not need artwork, shelves or décor in every corner.
Sometimes one large canvas beside the television looks considerably better than several unrelated decorative elements competing for attention.
What Can You Hang Above a TV Besides Traditional Framed Art?
Canvas art is not the only option.
You can also consider:
- a narrow floating shelf
- sculptural wall décor
- decorative panels
- textured wall treatments
- small grouped canvases
- a panoramic artwork
Canvas wall art is especially practical because it works well at larger sizes and does not need a reflective glass front directly beside the television.
Best Wall Art Layout by Interior Style
| Interior style | Suggested arrangement |
|---|---|
| Minimalist | One canvas beside or above the TV |
| Modern | Large abstract or symmetrical pair |
| Luxury | Oversized statement canvas |
| Scandinavian | Soft neutral abstract or nature artwork |
| Eclectic | Gallery wall around the TV |
| Traditional | Landscape, cultural or decorative artwork |
| Small apartment | One or two carefully scaled pieces |
Before You Buy Wall Art for Around Your TV
Measure the wall before choosing the artwork.
You need four basic measurements:
- TV width
- available wall width
- distance between the top of the TV and ceiling
- width of the TV console
Then decide which layout naturally fits the available space.
Do not buy artwork first and then try to force it onto a wall that is too narrow or too large.
If you are decorating the main gathering space of your home, our guide to canvas paintings for your hall can also help you think beyond the television and consider the room as a complete composition.
You can then browse all Cipher Spaces Wall Art and compare different styles against the measurements you have taken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wall Art Around a TV
What should I hang on the wall around my TV?
You can hang a horizontal canvas above the television, place vertical artwork on either side, use one large statement piece beside it or create a gallery wall around the screen. The best option depends on the size of the TV and the amount of available wall space.
Is it okay to hang artwork above a TV?
Yes. Artwork can be placed above a television when there is enough vertical space. Avoid squeezing a large canvas into a narrow gap just because the wall feels empty.
How far above a TV should wall art be?
Around 4–8 inches between the top of the TV and the bottom of the artwork is a useful starting point. Adjust the spacing according to the overall scale of the wall.
What size artwork should go above a TV?
Artwork around 50–70% of the television's width is a practical starting point for a single canvas above the screen.
What should I put beside a wall-mounted TV?
Vertical canvas art, a pair of coordinating artworks, a small grouped arrangement or one large statement canvas can all work well beside a wall-mounted television.
Can I create a gallery wall around a TV?
Yes. Treat the television as the largest rectangular element in the arrangement and distribute smaller artworks around it while maintaining consistent spacing and visual balance.
Should pictures around a TV match?
They do not have to be identical. A shared colour palette, frame finish, artistic style or visual mood is usually enough to make the wall feel coordinated.
Is canvas art good around a TV?
Yes. Canvas wall art works particularly well around televisions because it can be produced in larger sizes and does not require a glass front, helping avoid another reflective surface near the screen.
Is it better to put art above or beside a TV?
Neither position is universally better. Artwork above the TV works well when there is generous vertical space, while artwork beside the television is often more suitable when the ceiling is lower or one side of the wall feels empty.
How do you decorate around a 65-inch or 75-inch TV?
Use fewer, larger artworks rather than many small pieces. A substantial horizontal canvas above the screen, two strong vertical artworks beside it or one oversized statement piece usually maintains proportion better around a large television.
Make the TV Part of the Room — Not the Whole Room
A television will naturally command attention when it is switched on.
Your décor should make sure it does not dominate the room when it is switched off.
The best wall art around a TV creates balance rather than distraction.
For one room, that may mean a large abstract canvas beside the screen. For another, it could mean two vertical artworks, a wide canvas above the TV or a carefully arranged gallery wall.
Start with the television's size and position, preserve enough negative space and choose artwork that relates naturally to your furniture, wall size and colour palette.
Explore our Living Room Wall Art, Abstract Wall Art, Modern Wall Art, Scenery Wall Paintings and Floral Wall Art, or browse all wall art to find a piece suited to your TV wall.