A built-in bookshelf provides you with a convenient, stylish space to store and display everything from your favorite reading material to decor and artwork. If you have a built-in bookshelf at home and want to incorporate the TV, it can be a bit of a tricky process.
Life can get busy, so it’s important to design a living space that’s both comfortable and organized. This room is also a place where you can express yourself and show off the things you love. In the list below, you can find some amazing built-in bookshelves with TV ideas that will inspire you and help you transform your living space into a place of style, entertainment, and relaxation.
Mount the Flat Screen to the Wall
In this example, the homeowner chose to mount their flat-screen TV directly to the wall, allowing the built-in bookshelf to essentially frame it and make it a part of the wall itself. Not only does this save space and make everything look less bulky, but it also allows the television to blend in with the background.
This is a great way to incorporate the TV into your bookshelves if they’re shallow or if your living area or family room is smaller to help free up floor space.
via Ahre
Use a Built-In with Different Sized Cubbies for an Eclectic Look
If you don’t have a huge library full of books, a bookshelf with different-sized cubbies and shelves of differing heights makes it easy to create a beautiful display filled with anything you desire. Make the most of this space by adding a variety of objects like vases, sculptures, decorative objects, or drinkware.
Not all built-in bookcases are the same size or silhouette, and this one is a great example of how to design a comfy living space with a unique focal point.
via Bjurfors
Transform Your Living Room Into a Library
This example shows large built-in bookshelves with a TV unit in the center. Not only does it create a cozy spot for reading, but it also doubles as a convenient entertainment center for friends and family to enjoy.
Note how the lower section of the bookcase has plenty of cabinets, so you can store items like small electronics, and power or internet cables to keep them out of view. Choosing to have the built-in painted in the same color as the rest of the room gives it a nice, cohesive look. The two large windows bring in tons of natural light for reading during the daytime.
via Wrede
Make Your Bookshelves An Accent Wall
Note how this large bookshelf is featured in a dark gray that contrasts against the lighter tones of the rest of the room. This design technique helps to make the bookshelf the star of the show and draws the eye toward it for a dramatic focal point.
The bookshelf also doesn’t go all the way to the ceiling, so it’s not too overwhelming or large that it overtakes the room. Gathering seating furniture around it creates a comfortable area to sit back, relax, and read or watch TV. A modern chandelier featuring amber-colored glass adds a fun element to this space as well.
Styled by Clindholm Design, photographed by Frederic Boukari, via Historiska Hem
Add Lighting to Your Built-Ins
This tall bookcase against the wall is a towering feature that immediately draws you to it. Note how the homeowner installed LED light strips at the top to highlight the contents inside. Not only does this beautiful bookcase have lots of spots for books and artwork, but the small flat-screen TV is also neatly mounted to it.
If you don’t love books, fill your built-in with awesome sculptural pieces and other forms of decor to fill in the empty spaces.
photographed by Adam Helbaoui, sold via Innerstadsspecialisten
Design a Functional Space with Built-Ins
If you’re concerned that your built-ins are taking up too much space, use them in a way that makes them as functional as possible. For example, this beautiful living room features a large built-in bookshelf that spans one side of the room.
You’ll see everything from the TV set to framed artwork, small stacks of books, and even a globe. The bottom section features large cabinets with doors which are perfect for storage to keep the living area clean and free of clutter.
Styled by Asa Copparstad, photographed by Spinell for Historiska Hem
Use Built-In Shelving to Your Advantage
Note how the built-in in this room extends across the top and over the door. The homeowner has filled the supper shelving with small boxes that are great for holding photos and small items that you don’t use every day.
If you have built-ins similar to this, it’s a good idea to utilize as much of the space as possible, even if it’s not within easy reach. Although they chose to add the TV here, you could also incorporate a large piece of art or a mirror if you prefer.
Styled by Anna van Keppel, photographed by Therese Jahnson for Historiska Hem
Keep it Simple
This gorgeous built-in features a curved arch enclave in the center that houses the TV and a white color to match the walls. However, the rest of the bookshelf isn’t crammed with books or other items. Instead, the homeowner chose to keep things simple and minimal by adding just one item to cubbies, while others remained completely empty.
This creates a sense of quiet luxury and helps to elevate the living room’s clean, modern aesthetic. You can also decide to fill every cubby if you choose but for this room, the homeowner opted to keep things as simple as possible.
via Ferm Living
Design the Room Around Your Built-In Bookshelves
A comfortable ottoman, large modern sofa, and coffee table are strategically placed in front of the built-in bookshelves in this living room. This instantly transforms the room into a comfortable spot to entertain friends, watch television, or nestle under a blanket for a good read.
Designing your layout around the bookcase helps you dictate the purpose of the room, rather than letting the bookcase take over. The absence of a fireplace mantel and an open path in the middle keeps this room open and airy.
via Wrede
Paint Other Furniture to Match Your Built-Ins
You don’t need to be a professional interior designer to create a beautiful space. In this example, the built-ins and another large storage piece on the other side of the room are both painted in the same soft hue.
Notice how vases, some throw pillows, a throw blanket, artwork, and lively plants give this cozy living space plenty of fun and fresh pops of cheerful color so it doesn’t look or feel too monotone. Because of the room’s layout, the TV was added to one side across from the sofa for easy, comfortable viewing.
Paint your Built-in Bookcases in the same Color as the other Elements
This open-plan kitchen and living space has a built-in bookcase for the TV, which goes over the doorway and includes elegant closed storage on the bottom matching the historic details of the flat. The shelves are painted in the same color as the doors and the modern kitchen for an integrated effect in the space.
Integrate Recessed Lighting into your TV-Wall Bookcase
This wall space between the doorway and the historic pillar is perfect for a custom bookcase with closed storage cabinets on the bottom and a bigger shelf section for placing the TV. The shelf stops underneath the intricate ceiling details and is painted the same color as the walls to make it blend in.
Recesses lighting on top gives the shelf some extra attention at night.
