Now that televisions can be mounted to the wall, furniture layouts in living and family rooms have changed. Gone are the days where the television and entertainment centers took up a large bit of floor space. Along with changing the layout of the rooms, wall mounted televisions have changed how we approach vertical wall space.

 

Flat screens mounted on the wall draw the eye to the wall and therefore the vertical space surrounding the TV. Taking advantage of this space can mean adding extra storage, as seen here, or creating a focal wall with the television at the center.  Framing a flat screen with a shelving unit or bookcase like this one also helps the flat screen blend into the space better. A wall unit or built-in bookcase can be done in a wood to coordinate with your furniture or floors, or painted to match the wall or molding color.

 

Vertical storage space can be used for books, movies, CDS, games and other family room entertainment essentials. Games and toys can be stored in baskets that fit into the storage unit or bookshelf.  Moving storage up off the floor and onto the wall frees up the space for the furniture and better flow in the room. Decluttering the floor and keeping small items in boxes and baskets is a good way to get organized.

 

Taking advantage of vertical space is especially useful in smaller rooms and apartments. When floor space is at a premium, placing the television on the wall and surrounding it with storage can make the space more organized and functional.