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2012 HOME & GARDEN MAGAZINE. LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com May 25, 2012
6
Technology + Decorating:
‘Techorating’ trend harmoniously
marries technology & interior design
provided by ARAcontent
S
ome interior design trends are hard to understand. That jagged piece of
cement that is supposedly a chair or that headache-inducing paint color
may look great in the glossy pages of a design magazine, but would
average people really want it in their own living
room?
Fortunately, there is a growing trend in interior
design that is easy to understand, relatable and
applicable in almost every home -- a trend called
“techorating.”
“’Techorating’is theblendingof technologyinto
the overall design of a room to create functional,
stylish and unique environments that work well
and look great,” says Janna Robinson, technology
and design expert. “This design trend grows from
the integral role technology now plays in our lives
and the majority of American homes.”
Robinson offers some helpful tips for
incorporating the techorating trend into your
home:
Techorating with TV
“Televisions can now serve many functions in
our homes, from making a design statement with
a sleek flat screen, to providing a focal point for
gatherings of family and friends, to even serving
as a hub of information, thanks to Smart TV
platforms and increased connectivity,” Robinson
says. “Techorating principles take into account the
central role a TV plays in the living room, family
room or bedroom.”
Start by considering the aesthetics of the TV
itself. Flat screens are popular not only for the
superior viewing experience they provide, but also
for their visual appeal. Manufacturers have taken
TV aesthetics to the next level, offering ultra-slim
models. LGhas gone even further with its Cinema
Screen design, which is a nearly frameless TV that
provides a streamlined, modern look.
Next, because moreAmericans are entertaining
at home, it is important to maximize the viewing
experience for the maximum number of viewers.
With some TVs, viewing angle can be an issue.
Robinson recommends arranging seating so that
everyone has a good view of the screen, while
still allowing traffic to
flow freely around seats. Sectionals and modular
sectionals provide flexible seating configurations.
For smaller spaces, beanbags, decorative poufs
and floor pillows can provide extra seating without
overpowering the space.
Look for TVs that are designed to maximize
viewing angles. Next-generation 3-D TVs like the
Cinema 3D models from LG provide a wide range
of viewing angles in 2-D and 3-D, so content display
remains crisp and accurate, even for off-angle
viewing.
Creating the perfect background
Techorating techniques use color and design to
create a comfortable, functional background for
technology. For example, painting the wall behind
your TV a darker color (like chocolate brown) not
only helps with distracting glares, but it also gives
the illusion of depth to the space.
Similarly, dressing up bare walls, floors and
wooden furniture with varying texture and fabrics
such as area rugs and curtains can help absorb sound
and improve the listening quality in a room. Don’t
overdo it, though; too much carpeting and heavy
curtains can make sound seem muffled. Instead,
add some bookshelves or hang art on walls to create
reflective surfaces that will help break up sound
waves. A mixture of surfaces and materials will
provide the best sound quality.
Keep in mind, Robinson says, that you don’t
have to completely redecorate your room to achieve
techorating harmony.
“I’m a big fan of repurposing and melding old
with new,” she says. “If your couch has a solid frame,
update it by reupholstering it, or try a newdecorative
pillow cover. If you have existing furniture that
needs a little sprucing up, paint or stain it for a fresh,
new look.”
For more information on techorating, visit
lgmakeover.com
.