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    Home » DIY » Painted Furniture

    Using Shutters to Decorate around a Flat Screen TV

    By: Jane · Updated: 28 Mar, '16 · This post may contain affiliate links · 24 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    I have solved a decorating dilemma around our house. We have a flat screen TV mounted above our mantel, and it has always perplexed me how I could decorate around it.  Recently I came upon the solution, and it works like MAGIC!

    Using shutters to decorate around a flat screen tv | cottage at the crossroads

    Just use some wooden shutters to frame that big, ole black box!

    Flat screen tv mounted above mantel | cottage at the crossroads

    See the difference? Here's the mantel all cleaned off, ready to be decorated for mid-summer. I have to work around the little speakers on top of the mantel, and I'm usually pretty good at disguising them without interfering with the sound quality.

    Old wooden shutters | cottage at the crossroads

    So about a month ago, I spotted a stack of old wooden shutters at the auction. I got these taller ones in addition to some shorter ones for $5.  I bought them because I've been noticing other bloggers were using them in decorating, but I wasn't quite sure how I was going to use them yet. They were very dirty so they all got a good washing. I took this taller pair apart by unscrewing the hinges, and then I got the idea to put them on the mantel .

    Using shutters to decorate around a flat screen tv | cottage at the crosssroads

    I happened to have some pretty green paint (Rust-Oleum's Ultra Cover spray paint.) The name of the shade is eden. Don't you just love that name? So they got painted and propped here on the mantel, and I could instantly see how the shutters framed the TV. I was loving the new look!

    Seashell wreath | cottage at the crossroads
    Seashell wreath | cottage at the crossroads

    It was about the same time that I spotted this seashell wreath in Bed, Bath, and Beyond. And some of the shells were already painted green! I normally make all my own wreaths but when I saw this one, it quickly jumped into my buggy!

    Using shutters to decorate around a flat screen tv | cottage at the crossroads

    After my sister-in-law Jean saw my green shutters and my wreath, she came back over with these wooden shore birds from her stash. Perfect!  To add to the beachy theme,  I hung a fish net from the mantel.

    Fish net with crocheted star fish | cottage at the crossroads

    I had ordered these crocheted starfish from Erika's Etsy shop KnellyBean earlier in the month, so I just hot-glued them to the fish net along with some other small shells.

    Sand dollars and starfish | cottage at the crossroads

    The middle speaker got camouflaged with these sand dollars and a starfish that I spray painted.

    Embellished candle with twine and shells | cottage at the crossroads

    I embellished an ordinary candle with a little twine and some seashells for the left side of the mantel.

    Using shutters to decorate around a flat screen tv | cottage at the crossroads

    And on the right side I put another painted sea star along with some white crepe myrtle blossoms from the yard.

    Using shutters around a flat screen tv | cottage at the crossroads

    I just loved how my mid-summer mantel came together so easily, but it wouldn't be nearly as pretty without those green shutters. I have a feeling you're gonna see more of those shutters in the months to come!

    Using shutters around a flat screen tv | cottage at the crossroads

    If you have the same decorating dilemma as I did, try some simple wooden shutters around your TV.

    I think it makes all the difference in the world!

    More Painted Furniture

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      Green Painted Outdoor Table

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    1. Jennifer O'Quinn

      November 14, 2020 at 1:55 am

      Sorry, aesthetically the entire effort just does not work for me. The netting/seashell decorations look like the luau kits they sold in the '60's for swim parties. Everything is much too measured and balanced, for my disheveled taste. I absolutely love shutters and use them as a space separation tool. I think you could use the green shutters somewhere else and if the mantle is wide enough, perhaps, think of objects like old tools, old pipes in a frame, old postcards in a frame, old record jackets, whatever, something a bit more reflective of your creative personalities, than 2 skinny shutters. I use my shutters to clip old photos and important notes that were sent to me over my lifetime. Please note that I admire your skills and I'm not criticizing your craftwork. I'm just offering a different perspective on your thoughtful design. Please take care and continue your innovative DIY projects. NOTE: Your fresh flowers were a wonderful touch and your seashell wreath was stunning.

      Reply
    2. Kandie

      March 20, 2015 at 12:22 pm

      i just found this pin, and as I sit here looking at my blah decorating around my flat screen tv... I believe I'll be going shopping for shutters!

      Reply
    3. Elaine

      August 10, 2014 at 11:14 pm

      Brilliant idea! I have seen frames around wall mounted TVs but never shutters. I like the green for Summer. I just happen to have picked up a pair of shutters by the side of the road. Now I know what to do with them.

      Reply
    4. Leslie @ House on the Way

      July 31, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      Love the shutters! The green is gorgeous. I'd like to invite you to share at my Twirl & Take a Bow Linky Party.
      Love to have you!

      Reply
    5. Miss Kitty

      July 28, 2014 at 4:13 pm

      Very cute, Jane! The shutters make that TV almost look like a window. I love all the cute coastal decor you added to the mantle also.

      Reply
    6. Rosie M.

      July 28, 2014 at 11:06 am

      Wow!! What a perfect design solution to a common decorating dilemma (flat screen TV's over the mantel). This is just gorgeous! Bravo, and thanks for sharing!!! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

      Reply
    7. Alecia @ Chicken Scratch NY

      July 27, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      I love the color you picked, that green is perfect. And the birds were a great touch!

      Reply
    8. Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com

      July 26, 2014 at 8:46 pm

      I love this, most folks need to dress up their flat screen rather than tucking it into a cubby, hiding it is not typically an option in smaller homes. I do love that green.

      Reply
    9. Ruth Anne Buterbaugh

      July 26, 2014 at 7:29 pm

      Love your idea! The whole beachy theme works so well with the shutters.

      Reply
    10. Babs

      July 26, 2014 at 3:43 pm

      Great idea to summer-fy your tv and mantel. Love your seashell wreath and rug.

      Reply
    11. Cuisine Kathleen

      July 26, 2014 at 3:07 pm

      Looks good, Jane! Less than 5 mo from now we will be decking the mantels for Christmas! I think I just picked up the last renegade pine needle from last year! Time flies.;)

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 27, 2014 at 5:45 pm

        Kathleen, I just found one of those renegade pine needles recently, too! LOL!

        Reply
    12. Debbie

      July 26, 2014 at 2:48 pm

      What a fantastic idea! I love it!

      Reply
    13. Jean Windham

      July 26, 2014 at 2:42 pm

      I think the shutters just add the right touch for your mantel. The color is perfect and my favorite is the fish net with the star fish and what looks like cotton balls. Great job. Jean

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        July 27, 2014 at 5:46 pm

        Thanks Jean! I guess those small sea shells do look a bit like cotton balls from a distance!

        Reply
    14. Dawn

      July 26, 2014 at 9:55 am

      Perfect solution Jane, it looks great and that green color really sets it all off. Brilliant idea.

      Reply
    15. tonia conner

      July 26, 2014 at 9:53 am

      A great look.

      Reply
    16. Annie

      July 26, 2014 at 9:36 am

      Absolutely stunning! You are both so talented. Love your blog!

      Reply
    17. JoAnne

      July 26, 2014 at 8:18 am

      I love your solution, Jane. I have the same problem and I never know how to decorate around it. Love that shade of green ~ beautiful!

      Reply
    18. Kathy

      July 26, 2014 at 8:12 am

      Looks fabulous! Love the shutters, and the wreath is gorgeous, too! Beautifully done!

      Reply
    19. [email protected] Designs

      July 26, 2014 at 6:39 am

      Hey Jane...what a fantastic idea to beautifully frame out the TV...I love that green...great summer decor on the mantel..and yes, you disguise the equipment well !!

      Reply
    20. Candy S

      July 26, 2014 at 6:15 am

      I love the seashore look. The green suits the shutters and the mantle. Very nice solution to a decorating problem.

      Reply
    21. Bonnie Morgan

      July 25, 2014 at 6:03 pm

      This should be in a magazine. Love your sea inspired mantel with the shutters framing the T.V.

      Reply

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