Fun Friday - TV solutions week 1

Ever wonder whether a TV belongs in the kitchen? Some people love catching the morning news with their coffee, following a recipe, or watching the big game while cooking. Others would rather keep technology tucked out of sight. The good news is you don't have to choose between a beautiful kitchen and a little entertainment. Here are three clever ways to incorporate a TV into your kitchen—one of them just might be the perfect fit for your home!

1. Pop-Up TV Lift – Perfect for the Kitchen Here's a fun option that's especially great for kitchens! Just as we now have pop-up electrical outlets and telescoping downdraft ventilation systems, you can also have a pop-up TV hidden inside your island or cabinetry. At the touch of a button, the TV quietly rises into view when you want it and disappears when you're finished.

The biggest cost is the lift hardware—typically around $500, plus the TV itself—and, of course, planning the cabinetry to accommodate it. Your countertop fabricator will have no trouble creating the opening, so it's really just a matter of designing for it from the beginning.

That said... I have a feeling this may become "old tech" before long! TV technology is advancing so quickly that some of the innovations on the horizon are incredible. See week 3! It won't disappoint!

2. Sylvox 15.6” Under-Cabinet TVs – A Classic Kitchen Solution

Before smart displays and pop-up TVs, there was the trusty under-cabinet TV. They're still a great option for kitchens where counter space is limited and you want to catch the morning news, follow a recipe, or keep up with your favorite show while making dinner.

Mounted beneath an upper cabinet, they stay out of the way, don't consume valuable countertop space, and are easy to view from several areas of the kitchen. While they don't disappear completely like some of the newer options, they're simple, practical, and still have a place in many homes.

It's a tried-and-true solution that proves not every great idea has to be the newest technology!

15.6" Smart Under Cabinet TV-White Kitchen TV – SYLVOX    The even have Outdoor TV’s and Bathroom TV’s - always affordable!

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3. Smart Displays – Maybe You Don't Need a TV at All!

Here's another option that many people overlook. Amazon's Echo Show (Alexa) Has a wall-mounted version that acts like a family hub, used for much more than asking about the weather! You can stream movies and TV, display recipes while you cook, make video calls, control your smart home, view your calendar, and even display family photos when it's not in use.

For many kitchens, a full-size television may be overkill. A compact smart display gives you most of the functionality while taking up far less visual space. It's also much easier to integrate into cabinetry or tuck into a corner where it's available when you need it but doesn't dominate the room.

As smart displays continue to improve, I think we'll start seeing more homeowners asking themselves an interesting question: "Do I even need a TV in my kitchen anymore?" Which brings me to where I think the technology is headed...

Alexa wall mounts come in several sizes... up to a 21" screen! This smaller one is great for the back splash option. I love my Alexa!

So, what do you think? Which of these kitchen TV solutions is your favorite? Or are you in the "hide it behind a pocket door or inside a pull-out pantry" camp? 😊

Don't worry—we'll explore those more creative hidden-TV ideas in another post. I promise!

Next week we'll look at TVs that look like art... or are hidden behind art. Then, in Week 3, we'll have some fun exploring the future of TV technology and the incredible innovations that are already here—and a few that may be just around the corner!

Until next week,

Linda Berg - Swift Creek Cabinets & Design - Midlothian, Virginia