“How can I hide the TV?”
That’s a question I’m often asked, and there are a couple of ways I suggest you tackle that problem. But this new solution is rocking my world, and I can’t wait to share it with you today! You’ll also get a sneak peek of one of the bedrooms in our “new” old home.
I am not a fan of hanging a television above a fireplace, but there’s a fireplace in every room of this house and that’s where it had to go if I wanted one upstairs. You see, when you live in a 200+ year old house with solid masonry walls, it’s just not as easy to install internet and cable as in a new home with drywall and hollow space behind it. The connection had to come in from the attic above, snaked in aluminum conduit through the ceiling and down the wall.
It’s hard to make that pretty, guys! If you’ve been following our restoration of Granbery Manor on Instagram or YouTube, you may remember that I decided to have the trim carpenters build out a chimney box above the fireplace in order to hide the conduit and wires. First, we framed out the “chimney box.” You can see the metal conduit and junction box that is now running down the wall:
framing out the chimney box
They drywalled over it and made sure the outlet would be behind the tv when it was hung.
It was then painted out, and crown molding was added at the top to tie in with the existing old crown.
But how on earth was I going to hide the tv? There is nothing pretty about a big, black box on a wall – and certainly not above a fireplace in a historic home.
You are not going to believe how easy this is! Artcast takes blank television screens and transforms them into vast art galleries that are perfect while NOT watching tv and when entertaining guests. Artcast is a tv app that is available through streaming devices like Apple TV and Roku. While you can pay for expanded art galleries, there are many art options that are completely FREE. These are some free options that I have been using to hide the tv when it’s not on – which is most of the time in my house:
What a difference! I have had several guests come through this bedroom and not even notice that this isn’t “art,” but actually a television above the fireplace. Of course, I always point it out to them because I’m so proud of the result!
This is NOT a paid promotion – I’m just a happy camper who is loving having beautiful, changeable art that can hide the television in my bedroom!
We also use this to hide the tv in our library, where our family hangs out and entertains the most. I’ll show you that on another day when the room is cleaned up!
You know, in a way, Artcast is better than a single piece of art. I can change the art whenever I want a different look or style in the room.
Maybe others of you are already using Artcast to hide the tv in your home. If not, what do you think of this ingenious way to disguise the big, black box? Any other ideas that have worked for you?
good to know. how to get it?
You can get it on streaming services like Apple TV, Amazon, and Roku!
Oh I love this idea! What a great way to hide the TV!
I’m not a fan of the television over the fireplace either. You certainly came up with a very clever way of hiding it. What a great solution! I love it!
Thanks, Briana! I’m loving it!
what a great find!
and SO much better and cheaper that the art frame TV by Samsung which was supposed to be answer for ppl who don’t like TV’s.
this app will make that television obsolete-
looks so beautiful my friend♥
Thank you, E! I thought about having a frame made for the screen and all kinds of other ideas, but this ended up being the cheapest AND best solution!!!
Hi Kristie – This is a great idea! On the other hand, monthly subscription fees for yet another streaming service can be a nuisance. I found a great device that does not require streaming and only costs a one-time fee of $34.99. I regularly have some of the world’s greatest works of art displayed on my TV. Try the Billion Dollar Art Gallery at https://billiondollarartgallery.com/ If your tv has a USB port (most do), all you need to do is plug in the Billion Dollar Art Gallery memory stick to begin your own “moveable feast” of the world’s greatest works of art. I love it! Hope this is helpful. 🙂
Oh that’s great, Antoinette! Thank you for sharing about the Billion Dollar Art Gallery. 🙂
Mind BLOWN! I can’t wait to get this for our TV. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Michelle!
Kristi I’m super excited about this. When I went to the Artcast page, I can’t tell if the monthly subscription fee is per TV or per Roku account. Are you being charged for every TV in your home, or is your one subscription fee covering all your TVs?
Lisa, I am currently only using the “free” galleries that Artcast offers. I don’t know if a subscription would be per tv or per Roku account, sorry!
I love this idea! Cheaper than getting a Samsung Frame TV. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for this suggestion! It was easy to set up on our Apple Tv and is brightening up my day already.