So You Want a Bathroom Television

I will get this out of the way first: I’ve always had difficulty understanding the allure of TVs in bathrooms. Contrary to the kitchen, which is usually the hub of household life, or a den in which family and guests gather, a toilet seems to me as though it ought to be a personal retreat and a haven from the outside world (temporarily, at least).

But let’s say you do need a tv in your bath — maybe you enjoy its background sound as you prepare yourself for bed, or you also like to have a jump on the day’s headlines as you primp in the evenings. It is not quite as simple as mounting a flat screen in your living room wall; you’ll need to factor in a few special considerations. Here is what to keep in mind.

Design By Lisa

Disguise it as an architectural element. Your TV will appear less obtrusive if you create a visual parallel with another feature within the room. In cases like this, the thick black frame around the TV matches that of the fireplace surround.

Jane Kim Design

Choose a waterproof version. In a bath, particularly one used every day, your TV will be susceptible to moisture buildup and damage over time. Select one that’s rated for bathroom or outdoor use, meaning it could withstand wet surroundings. Additionally, some models have built-in fog resistance, which is useful if you like really long, steamy showers.

Decide where you want it. Are you hoping to catch the nightly news as you take your makeup off, or settle in for a movie marathon with a tub of suds and a glass of wine? Your lifestyle will dictate where you position the TV for optimal use. If you want to have the ability to see it from multiple points, select a wall-mounted version that swings or set the TV on a swiveling shelf.

SLIC Interiors

Tilt it in a comfortable viewing angle. If you’re lolling amid the bubbles, the last thing you need is to have to crane your neck skyward to find the TV screen. Either hang it or go with a fashion that pivots up and down so you can position it where it’s comfortable for you to watch.

Sroka Design, Inc..

Contemplate hiding it. TVs do not always match as naturally into toilet decor as they do in other spaces. If you do not need yours to draw attention, conceal it behind a cupboard door, in a Victorian market or — because this designer did — even below a movable piece of framed artwork.

Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc. (CKD, CBD, CR)

Take advantage of technologies. A number of companies now offer TV screens embedded inside toilet mirrors which completely disappear as soon as you press the off button. This is a terrific alternative for smaller bathrooms or minimalist spaces in which a TV may appear awkward.

BAAN design

Incorporate transparent materials. Glass shower walls and dividers permit you to look at the screen even if you’re not right next to it.

Elad Gonen

Keep it portable. You can change your mind and discover that using a TV in the toilet is more of a hassle than a boon, or you may want to move it depending on how your toilet habits change. Perch it along with a freestanding shelf unit to give you maximum flexibility.

Can you own a TV in your toilet? Dish on why you enjoy it in the Comments!

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