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The Bathroom, and Other Odd Places to Mount a Flat Screen TV

GeekSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:45:06 -0700

Mountable flat screens have been one of the greatest design boons in home technology; their slim lines free up valuable real estate, as well as allow you to put TVs in places the big boxes previously could never fit. But just because you can doesn't mean you should. Check out a few unconventional places for TV mounting.

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Tech Idea I Need to Steal: Tori and Dean's Dining Room TV!

GeekSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:00:36 -0700

Not only was I super jealous of LilSugar's one-on-one interview with Tori Spelling last week, now I'm jealous of Tori and her flat-screen-TV-in-the-dining-room setup (part of the home remodel they did on their show, Home Sweet Hollywood).

I may be a total prude about not allowing a television in the bedroom, but in the dining room? Heck yeah. Especially for the nights when you're alone and just want Spaghettios and addictive reality TV.

I have neither a dining room nor an extra flat screen TV, so not only is Mrs. McDermott my '90s TV idol, she's my TV-displaying idol too!

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See, Flat Screen TVs Can Be Decor!

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 08:00:58 -0700

In case anyone needs photographic evidence about why I yearn to mount my flat screen on the wall, here it is. Of course, this picture was submitted to Ferm Living's blog to show off the whimsical wall decals in a studio, but all I see is that black Samsung TV.

I especially love how photographer Lauren Hillary uses the TV as a design element - the shiny black of the TV's "frame" complements the black decals against her green wall. You can tell that she also uses it as a monitor by the equally chic ultra thin keyboard and Mighty Mouse. I also appreciate the functional and decorative touches of her cameras. I wonder if she'll come and do my interiors?

Flat Screen TVs: Tips and Tricks For Your Viewing Pleasure

GeekSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:52 -0700

There's an arms race among the tech giants to have the biggest, flattest screens out there - but people like little old me are just concerned with a gorgeous, clear picture and the decor advantages of a slim TV. Have you joined the skinny screen club? Check out my tips for mounting, cleaning, and enjoying your TV.

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Ikea Benno Flat Screen TV Stand: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:01:29 -0700

I obviously love flatscreen TVs, and one thing I have been dying to do with mine is mount it on the wall. So chic! So out of the way! So intimidating! I'm convinced that even if we do figure out the mounting hardware correctly, it won't hold - one bad thing about a charming old apartment? Plaster walls that don't support anything.

So when I saw this new Benno TV stand by Ikea, with a reinforced back to "mount" the TV - no drilling into soft, old walls necessary - I lost it. $140 and no damage to my walls? Score! I know that some of you will say all Ikea stuff falls apart, but it doesn't - well, if you're an Ikea expert like me, you can spot the duds from the winners. That said, I'd have to see this in person at a store, but right now, I'm all over it. What about you?

Tech @ Home: Mounting a Flat Panel TV Above Your Fireplace

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:03:38 -0700

Although it looks nice, mounting a flat panel TV above your fireplace can take years off of its life if you aren't careful. Aside from possible smoke damage, your new LCD or plasma screen was built to run at a specific temperature (check your owners manuals for exact specs, but usually between 32-100°F), so watching a movie and building a roaring fire can actually damage the components inside your TV if it gets too hot.

Thankfully, all is not lost. If there's no stopping you from mounting your set, there's a quick test you can do to find out how hot your fireplace will get. Attach a thermometer to the spot you've chosen to mount (tape and a cheap thermometer from a drug store will do the trick), build a fire, and let it burn. After a few hours, if your chosen spot is getting close to your set's maximum operating temp, then you shouldn't burn the fire and watch the tube at the same time, or choose another place for your TV to call home.

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How-To: Properly Place Your TV For Optimal Viewing

GeekSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:05:40 -0700

Before you drop all that money on a 46-inch flat panel HDTV you found on sale, maybe you should make sure there's enough room in your studio apartment for that bad boy. What, you think that just because it's flat you can fit it anywhere? As fun as it may seem to turn your apartment into a full-fledged movie theater, you should know that there are optimal viewing distances that you should adhere to. The general rule of thumb is to place your TV at a distance of three times the height of your screen (3 x H) away from your sofa.

For example, if you're buying a TV that has a screen height of 30 inches, you should sit approximately 90 inches or 7 feet away to view your picture in all its splendor. Just a little something to keep in mind before you buy that new LCD!

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TV in My Bathtub? Yes, Please

GeekSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:31:16 -0700

After much debate on where it's cool to have additional televisions in your house (I'm against in the bedroom, but for the dining room, for the record), I have another curious TV location for you to try on for size: the bathtub.

The Cosmo Hydromassage TV Bathtub is a spectacular two-in-one, combining a 17-inch LCD flat screen TV with a whirlpool tub. It fits two people, so woohoo to that! Despite the cost - about $4,580 - this is something you'd need to splurge on, due to the sensitive electronic nature. Please don't go DIYin' this.

Stack of Books As a TV Stand: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:05:14 -0700

Want a budget TV stand made from materials you probably already have in your house? This month's Glamour suggests that you stack some books on the ground and place your (obviously flat screen) TV on top of it.

While this is definitely an interesting idea, I don't know if I'd have gone for it when I was shopping for a TV stand. While the art books are pretty big and it looks pretty sturdy, I would still have a big fear of the TV tipping, especially if someone walked by it and bumped it somehow.

My stability fears aside - it's kind of cute! Especially if you're a book lover, as I am (although you're obviously not going to be reading those ones for a while).

What do you think? Unwise and not cute, or safe enough and pretty cute?

Consumer Reports: How to Make Pricey Appliances Last

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:00:28 -0800

The cost of maintaining a home and appliances is often a major deterrent for those debating whether to rent or purchase a home. The unexpected expense of fixing leaky gutters and broken dishwashers can be budget breaking if it comes at the wrong time of month. Not to mention it's a huge pain. Consumer Reports has put together a great guide for how to extend the useful life of appliances and pricey goodies. Obviously, the key is maintenance and keeping a watchful eye on appliances so they don't break down unexpectedly and leave you in a pricey pinch. Consumer Reports suggests:

Cell phones
Don't stow in your car's glove compartment during the summer. Otherwise, batteries may overheat, possibly ruining the phone. If you've been known to drop your cell phone, treat it to a protective case.

Clothes dryers
Clean the lint filter after each use and the entire air duct yearly. If your dryer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable new model. But don't expect much gain in performance or efficiency, since dryer technology hasn't changed much.

Clothes washers
Don't overload. If your washer breaks, think about replacing it if repairs will cost more than half the price of a comparable model. If you're replacing, consider a high-efficiency washer, which should save money over time. Also consider a front-loader, which is less punishing to clothes than a top-loader.

Dishwashers
Check the filter regularly and remove any debris.

To see additional suggestions and reminders, read more.

Hardwood floors
Dust mop or vacuum weekly. Wipe up wet spills pronto.

Kitchen knives
Keep them out of the dishwasher and store them in a wooden knife block or individual plastic shields.

Laptop computers
Set them on a hard, flat surface rather than a soft one such as a bed or carpet, which can block airflow and cause them to overheat.

LCD TVs
Clean the screen gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, ideally a microfiber one. Avoid commercial cleaners and paper towels, which can scratch the screen.

Mattresses
Rotate periodically. Try not to sit on the edge. Buy a washable, protective cover. And pull back the sheets and blankets to let the bed air out for 20 minutes or so each morning.

Visit the Consumer Reports website for more tips on making your pricey goods last.