In Motion
One of the design features designer Koen Fraijman is most proud of in his Amsterdam home on the canal is the ceiling-mounted TV. The mechanism suspends the television from a track mounted above the couch, allowing it to slide out for viewing or in against the wall when not in use. A small sculptural design was also added to the rear of the TV frame so that it appears like an artwork when pushed up against the wall. This system as a whole also helps change the mood of the space, making it cosier and more intimate when the TV is out, or airier and more spacious when it is tucked away.
Inspired by the Japanese 5S organisational method, architect Nicholas Gurney carefully designed this minimalist Sydney home to ensure everything had a place where it could be neatly stored away. To best separate the sleeping nook from the living area, Gurney used a folding perforated metal screen with the idea of adding privacy as well as the permeation of light and breeze. The (dare we say) ingenious element of this folding (rather than sliding) screen is the mounted TV, which can be watched from both the bed or the couch depending on whether the door is open or closed.
What TV?
The Amsterdam home of Marijn Kruikemeier of MI Studio and his partner, Liya, is highly customised thanks to Kruikemeier’s woodworking know-how. The 48sqm/517sft apartment is lined by a large elegant oak cabinet that, at first glance, houses only books and art objects. A keener eye, however, might notice a thin oval outline on the top side of the unit’s base, where a television is concealed. With the push of a button, an electric lift raises the TV for viewing or hides it back within the cabinet while not in use.
Just one look at this one-of-a-kind Hong Kong apartment and it's obvious that no element was left unconsidered. The tiny, futuristic apartment was designed by architect Nelson Chow of NCDA and his ambition was to create a fun, colourful, and futuristic home with generous storage areas to ensure the home was uncluttered. To minimise the disruption to the aesthetic, Chow placed the television within the series of vertical panels that encircle the living room. The folding doors make it very easy to access and close off, depending on the client’s mood.
Architects Samuel Garcia and Delia Sloneanu of Studio Papaya wanted to make this 29sqm/312sqft São Paulo apartment as open and multifunctional as possible. They achieved this through a number of bespoke furnishings like the partition hidden within the mirrored wall. When slid out, this wood and light green laminate unit features a large TV mounted on one side and a fold-out table on the other.
In case you missed it: How to Use Mirrors to Expand Your Small Home
Aesthetic Cohesion
Home to architect Ben Ellul of Ellul Architecture and his partner, this sleek Melbourne apartment is defined by its clean lines and monochromatic themes. The furniture in the living room was deliberately kept low to reduce clutter and avoid obstructing the great view offered by the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. There was no obvious place to put a TV, so Ellul constructed a custom joinery piece for it that elevates it from the floor as well as frames it for a more neat appearance overall. Though the unit stands alone, it matches the wardrobe across the room, giving a sense of cohesiveness to the space.
Images by Never Too Small
This tranquil Taipei home by designer Anny Hong of AODA Interior Design features natural materials, clean lines, and a contemporary colour palette. To avoid upsetting the strong sense of balance in the space, Hong mounted the television on a curved living room wall painted in the same navy blue that is accented throughout the home. The deep colour allows the TV to blend in seamlessly and offers a nice contrast to the concrete and rattan furnishings. Even though the TV is simply mounted on the wall, the built-in shelving that surrounds it makes the entire area feel intentional and cohesive.
Looking for more TV inspiration? Check out how architect Jean-Malo Le Clerc mounted his TV on a simple frame with wheels to allow him to freely move it around his Paris apartment.
