Seattle Real Estate – Where does the TV go?

I like this first picture of a TV placed in a main floor or lower level bedroom because honestly, here in Seattle, this is often the case. In fact this particular photo reminds me of the house I sold for Dustin Luther, the owner of Rain City Guide, a few years back.

The light streaming in from the left reminds me of the french doors he had leading out to the deck and yard. I sold a similar home with french doors out from the bedroom on the main level over in Phinney back in 2005 or so.

If you are buying a reasonably priced home in Seattle vs on The Eastside, the above photo likely represents what “a family room” will look like, given homes built in the early 1900’s didn’t have real “Family Rooms” or even Formal Living Rooms and Formal Dining Rooms to a large extent.

The next photo cracks me up as it reminds of the time when high ceilings, loads of windows and lots of natural light was first added to “The Family Room” and it was renamed “The GREAT Room”. I remember John Orobono saying to me, “Ardell, we love our new house, but I have to hide in the closet with a TV to watch the football game, because there is too much glare on the TV during the daytime”.

Of course they make “low or no glare” TV screens now to assist with this “problem”.

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I was playing Just Dance 4 at my daughter Tina’s. This lower placement in the photo below is likely more common for today’s family that plays games on their TV and watches “TV” on their laptops. 🙂

The above picture reminds me of my friend Kevin Tomlinson of South Beach Florida as it has that monochrome austerity with a bold splash of color that he favors as to Interior Design.

So back to the original question “Where Does the TV Go?” Well…builders…NOT over the fireplace!

9 thoughts on “Seattle Real Estate – Where does the TV go?

  1. A decade ago people were trying to fit TV cabinets in their living rooms which often were big, retrofitted bedroom armoires – remember those? The flat screen TV basically reclaimed valuable living room real estate.

  2. The armoire era didn’t create the same problems since that involved furniture more than real estate. It was the decade before that in the 80s where the entire walls on either side of the fireplace were built ins. The TV section was tiny and homes that still offer that “feature” have become functionally obsolete as to the “built in” for the smaller TV.

  3. We get this question a lot in some of the smaller oceanfront homes that still exist on Hilton Head Island…with space at a premium it can be a challenge to get today’s large TV’s into a good spot.

    • Hi Daniel! Yes…I have to say…for smaller places, over the fireplace is probably still best…if the mantle is not too high. But most people prefer the wall next to the fireplace. I am listing one like that in the next couple of weeks and will post a picture. Townhome near The University of Washington. Big flat screen TV on wall next to fireplace. We decided to leave the TV. Not anything that goes with it like wires and stuff. Just the TV. 🙂

  4. Awesome home. I like the first one which has nice designing glass and besides the book cell also. great blog and keep sharing it up.

  5. I agree, definitely NOT over the fireplace!!!

    We have been having that battle at home for the past few years. Our mantle is quite high and placing the TV above it would not only be unsightly, but probably cause some serious neck pain!

    The good news is that that my darling spouse has finally conceded to the TV being at eye-level and saved us from a from a decorating disaster and frequent visits to the Chiropractor!

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