Jasmine Cunningham
When it comes to creating a focal point in the living room, Architectural Digest always seems to forget one thing: the TV. The unfortunate truth is that while TVs are essential to any modern living room, they’re not that great to look at when they’re not in use.
Marble and wood combinations, when done right, can create a backdrop for your TV that is minimalist, yet far from boring or cliche.
The white marble grabs the eye, while the wood slats break up the brightness of it and add a touch of warmth to the space.
These two materials combined allow your TV to look like a complimentary part of the space visually, rather than a dark, drab square sitting aimlessly in the middle of the room. Another option is to use walnut wood slat wall panels, which have a real hardwood surface with an engineered MDF backing, keeping them affordable without sacrificing on the premium aesthetic of a wood slat tv wall.
Tongue and groove or beadboard wall panelling is a classic look, but one that can be overdone if not executed tastefully. Here, the panelling works well because it’s painted a dark color, providing a backdrop for the white oak shelving to pop out from, while naturally camouflaging the TV at the same time.
The minimalist vertical lines of the beadboard wall panelling add a touch of texture reminiscent of the 50s, without feeling dated or overdone. You can paint the whole wall if you have a narrower space, or go with a clean line to create some separation in a wider living room, like La Piece did with the project pictured above.
Not every interior is suited for this look, but concrete wallpaper can make an incredible accent for the right space. Apartments that already have a bit of that “loft aesthetic” can be taken to the next level by integrating the look of exposed concrete, especially behind the TV.
If you're trying to keep your living room dark and minimalistic while still incorporating some texture, a black wood slat wall behind your TV is probably the best option. The best way to achieve this look would be to get yourself some black wood slat wall panels, which have exploded in popularity across Canada and the US. This modern-yet-rustic living room boasts the trends of today (hello, curved furniture) without losing the timelessness that characterizes great design.
Wood slat walls feel modern and contemporary, but have also been a central part of Japanese and Scandinavian design for centuries. This juxtaposition makes wood slat accent walls one of those perfect home projects, because you know it will look just as timeless in ten years as it does today.
