Verlie Feeney
Whether you class your bedroom as a mindful gadget-free space in which to meditate, or use it as the perfect place to sit in bed and catch up on endless episodes of Married at First Sight, there's no judgement here. ‘When we install TVs for homeowners, fitting a bedroom TV is always a hot topic,’ says James Ratcliffe, home technology specialist at Homeplay.tv.
10 years ago it was common for us to install TVs in kids bedrooms, but now it’s very rare as they’re so used to watching iPads and laptops.'
‘We've used this trick in a number of homes as it keeps the TV neatly concealed when not in use,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs.
If you want it to work with an existing or bespoke bed, you’ll need to opt for a tailor-made design and get a technology specialist in to help you achieve this. The bed also has a section underneath the mattress where you can store your media units such as Sky Box or games console.
A room that feels streamlined and spacious – with everything neatly hidden away – so you can run your fingers over the dresser like a model in a chocolate advert is achievable, however. Investing in a fitted wardrobe that has space for your TV screen as well all your clothes, shoes and bed linen, is a great way to achieve a luxurious looking bedroom, for example. They even include space to hide soundbars and extras such as Sky TV, so you don't have clunky-set-top boxes on display. 'The key with TVs is to consider the distance and viewing angle first and then decide whether you wish them to be hidden or on display,' says Philipp Nagel, director at Neatsmith. And when you want to sit back in bed and watch an episode of The White Lotus, you can just slide the wardrobe doors open. Provided the TV viewing angle suits you and you can watch comfortably from your bed, there are a number of ways this can work.
Alternatively, you can fit a new wardrobe that is made to measure and has a TV in a concealed pull-out system such as in this handsome design from Sharps. “Whether you are looking for discrete storage or a stylish solution for your home, fitted furniture has the advantage of being built to suit the particular need of your room,' says Rachal Hutcheson national retail manager at Sharps. 'If you've invested a significant sum of money sourcing the best TV for your budget, the most prudent way to get the most from it is by taking the same care and attention in housing it.'
'If you have the luxury of a walk-in dressing room and space for mounting a TV onto a wall, then creating an area where you can perch opposite while watching your favourite TV show is an excellent feature,' says interior designer Andrew Dunning of London Contemporary, an expert in modern bedroom ideas. Remember when as a kid you sat your parents down on the sofa and used the living room curtains as a makeshift theatre to perform your latest 'show'? We suggest simply mounting your TV onto the wall opposite your bed and using a luxurious silk curtain to hide and reveal it, as shown here.
In this set up by technology architects Archimedia, the TV is seamlessly integrated with concealed cabling and it can be disguised from view by a fabric panel. Ikea, for example, sells a range of designs such as the modest Brusali TV bench (opens in new tab), which is particularly well suited to bedrooms where space is tight.
Alternatively, you could opt for a luxurious bed that makes the grand statement in your bedroom – commanding all the attention and distracting from a black boxy TV screen.
If you're looking for something that looks truly sleek, then a TV that sits flush with the wall panels will make for stylish viewing, even if you've gone supersize with one of the best 40 inch TVs. 'The trick is to measure the exact depth of the TV at rest and then install the joinery around it, so you’ve got a very small gap at the edge of the screen. 'I’d expect the panels are removable or the TV is on a full-motion mount or ideally both, so it can all be serviced and maintained long term.
There's no point in fitting an attractive looking design if you have to crank your neck to view the content while you're perched up in bed. You can mount it on the wall using specialised brackets, placed it on a TV unit and use cable ties to make the space tidy or hide it in a bespoke fitted wardrobe.
