TV / 5.1 placement

[andyc11]

Moving house shortly and have a bit of an issue with living room layout. It's a short term rent so limited as to what I can do heavy duty wise. First shot is of my existing set up and second is of the new living room.

I don't really want the tv in either corner as the surround sound will not only sound poor, but due to the placement will also look a bit weird. To the left of picture (hidden), are double door and behind the picture is the hallway door.

I'm debating placing in front of the radiator and turning it off, anyone else done this? Can't help thinking it will look a bit bizarre sticking a tv in front of a radiator.

[red997]

same AV setup as me - quite like the Dalis

any chance you could paint the rad the same colour as the walls ?

or a painted sheet of MDF in front to disguise ?
if it's not on, i can't see that being a problem.

[andyc11]

Dalis are excellent! Good shout, made me realise I could get a radiator cover that would maybe blend in a bit more. Now to convince the Mrs that having a sofa in a slightly unconventional position with speakers next to it won't look stupid...

[gizlaroc]

Just take the rad off the wall and put it in the garage or a cupboard. Then when you leave whack it back on.
Only takes 10 minutes to do.

Obviouly depends if the wall is painted behind it or there is some spare paint somewhere.

[PoisonJam]

I really dislike a TV in front of a window... all the faff of opening and shutting the blinds/curtains every time, and if you like natural light like you'll want to be opening all the time the TV isn't in use. Plus some light will be always be blocked by the TV.

In my last rental place before I bought a house, I had the TV in one corner and and set everything up so the main listening position was the opposite corner. It worked pretty damn well, but I always knew it was short term set-up until I got my own place, so felt less bad about the compromise.

[STiG911]

If it's that short term and there's a second rad in the room, just stick the whole lot in front and either side of the fire that you'll probably never use.

[PoisonJam]

STiG911 said:

If it's that short term and there's a second rad in the room, just stick the whole lot in front and either side of the fire that you'll probably never use.

Another good option. Right now I have my sofa in front of a fireplace I don't use so it can be directly opposite my TV. The other two walls have windows and doors so the TV could only go in front of the fireplace or directly opposite it.