A TV In Your Kitchen Island: Trendy Or Tacky?

Unless you are trying to turn your home into the real life version of "The Jetsons", some tech-y designs or additions may seem a little too out there. For example, while smart fridges are definitely helpful, a television built into your kitchen island could be ludicrous, right? Well, the debate on whether this is trendy or tacky may not have a solid answer, but that could be because the result is in the eye of the beholder. For example, upgrading and modernizing a room where people spend a lot of time might not be a bad idea. However, adding more technology that could potentially take away from socialization and make the space feel a little too busy is a good reason to skip this trend. There are pros and cons to trying it or forgoing it completely, so it mainly depends on how you'd like your home to function.

For those who prefer a little break in the constant noise of televisions and phone screens, keeping your kitchen clear of extra technology could be ideal. On the other hand, as homes transition toward smarter dwellings, something like a hidden TV is an innovative way to spice up your kitchen island and may help make your home more functional. Many families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and having another form of entertainment while cooking, cleaning, or enjoying the room could be a benefit of adding a television in this way. 

In terms of the pros of installing a TV in your kitchen island, many people have upgraded their kitchen from just being a cooking space to a community area within their home. From kitchen islands that allow people to chat, visit, and eat to breakfast nook ideas that will take your kitchen to the next level, this room is a hub. Because of that, adding a TV would let everyone enjoy anything from sports games to favorite programs while eating or spending time here, which may be appealing for busy families, couples, or those who live solo. It gives them a great way to multitask and spend time in a space intentionally created to be a hangout spot. 

Because you can install the mechanism that hides the television inside your island as well, it won't take up any surface space and can easily be put away to keep this area more traditional and stylish. There are a variety of ways to include a TV on, in, or around your island, and they can be both unimposing but convenient for your needs. For instance, you could have the TV lift out of the counter and then hide away when not in use. It could also be mounted to the side of your island. Having something to watch can also make mundane or boring tasks like cleaning or meal prep less tedious, as you can enjoy your programs while you complete these chores. You could even follow video recipes easily from the screen, making cooking easier.

While you can make this addition trendy, some would still consider it tacky to keep a television in your kitchen. Even as a hidden device, it does turn a classic, traditional space into a tech-y (and distracting) area that may be too similar to the living room. Kitchens usually don't feature a lot of distractions the way other areas can, allowing them to be a respite from the chaos of technology. When it's not stored inside the island, a television could make your space seem more busy, and if you prefer a stylish, traditional kitchen, sometimes modern technology doesn't flow as well. One more drawback is the location compared to where you cook and prep. Keeping a TV in or on your kitchen island could make it susceptible to damage, as it will be around moisture and food ingredients.

However, despite this, the option to hide the TV when not in use means that no one but you and those who live there would know it's inside your island, so no one else could consider it tacky. As smart homes become more popular and people add devices to make life easier as well as more streamlined, it seems everything from televisions to automated appliances will pop up in almost every room. Therefore, if you enjoy having your entertainment wherever you spend a lot of time, why not add it to your kitchen? There are so many kitchen island trends that are set to dominate and will elevate your fixture to make the most of it, and a television may be the greatest upgrade you ever try.