The radio walkman solution is just so 1990.
We know, we know. You want to watch the game, not just listen to it. And you want to do it solo. In your birthday suit. Soaking in your wife’s bubble bath. We won’t tell, and rest assured, you’re not alone.
Having a TV permanently housed in the bathroom used to be an eccentric luxury (much like car phones and automatic doors on garages, come to think of it). Not anymore. It’s much more common than you might think. If you’re dreaming about joining this party, here are five important things to consider:
- Moisture. TVs not specifically designed to withstand moisture truly won’t withstand it. If your TV isn’t made for moisture, be sure to position it inside something (e.g., a cabinet or recessed wall space) that can be closed and tightly sealed when the TV is not in use.
- Safety. Electrical devices and people taking baths go together like running and scissors. For a TV not designed for bathroom use, follow the positioning advice in #1. Otherwise, just go with a secure wall-mount, making sure it’s high enough and far enough out of bathroom traffic flow to avoid collisions.
- Visibility. This is where a swivel wall-mount can come in handy. Obviously, a glass shower door or surround is a must if you want to watch while showering. If you want to watch while using the vanity as well as in the tub, consider positioning the TV so that it’s caught in the vanity reflection—or, if you’re ready to really spend—look into the new mirrors with integrated TVs.
- Sound. Don’t underestimate the noise-drowning factor of a shower. If you don’t want to rely on closed captioning but want to be able to shower while watching your TV, you’ll want to install a set of waterproof speakers.
- Clutter. We’ve talked about it often, the importance of reducing bathroom clutter to create a relaxing environment. Scale is important to consider when reducing clutter: A giant TV in a small bathroom is going to look crammed. If you’re not stowing the TV in a cabinet or recessed space, wall-mounting in a high corner is best.
