How to Display Art on Any TV (Not Just Samsung Frame TVs)
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Have you ever walked into a room and seen a TV displaying artwork instead of a blank black screen?
It completely changes the feel of the space.
If you’ve been wondering whether you can do the same thing with your own TV, the answer is yes. In most cases, it’s much easier than people expect.
You don’t need a Samsung Frame TV to create that soft, artful look. You just need the right setup and the right artwork.
Why People Are Using TVs as Art Displays
A TV doesn’t have to dominate a room. When it’s not being used, it can actually become part of the space instead.
Displaying art on your TV can:
- Make your living room feel calmer and more intentional
- Add a seasonal or mood-based touch without redecorating
- Replace a dark screen with something soft and beautiful
- Give you that elevated, art-display look without the price tag
Once you try it, it’s surprisingly hard to go back.
Start With Two Simple Questions
The best method depends on two things:
- What brand of TV you have
- Whether you already use a streaming device like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast
Below, I’ve broken down the easiest ways to display art depending on your setup.
Samsung TVs
If you have a Samsung TV, this is usually the easiest place to start. Samsung’s built-in tools are one of the best options for displaying artwork, especially on a Frame TV.
The simplest method is to use the SmartThings app.
Here’s how to do it:
- Make sure your Samsung TV and your phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Download and open the SmartThings app on your phone or tablet
- Add your TV by tapping the plus icon and selecting it from the list of available devices
- Open your TV inside the app and go to Ambient Mode, or Art Mode if you have a Frame TV
- Choose your album or selected images and upload the artwork you want to display
Once it’s set up, your TV can show your artwork in a much more polished, built-in way.
Note: Ambient Mode is available on most of Samsung's QLED and premium TVs. If your Samsung model does not have it, one of the casting or USB methods below will still work beautifully.
If you’d rather use another method, Samsung TVs can also work with:
- A USB stick
- Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, or Chromecast
- AirPlay on compatible devices
- Screen mirroring from Android devices
LG TVs
LG TVs can absolutely be used for TV art. Many LG OLED models include a built-in Gallery Mode that shows artwork when the TV is idle - though it leans towards LG's own curated art library, so for displaying your own images a streaming device or USB slideshow often works more smoothly.
Your best options are:
- A streaming device such as Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast
- AirPlay, if your TV supports it
- Screen mirroring from an Android phone or tablet
- A USB stick using your TV’s built-in photo viewer
Sony, TCL, and Hisense TVs
Many Sony, TCL, and Hisense TVs support Chromecast or Google TV, which is great news if you want a flexible way to display art.
If your TV has Chromecast built in, the Chromecast / Google TV method below is often the nicest way to do it.
Other options include:
- A separate streaming device
- AirPlay on supported Sony models
- Screen mirroring on supported models
- A USB slideshow
Other TV Brands
If you have another brand of TV, don’t worry. In most cases, you can still make it work beautifully.
First, check whether your TV already supports AirPlay, casting, or a built-in photo viewer. If not, the easiest fix is usually to add a streaming device.
And if you want the most straightforward option of all, the USB method is often the best fallback.
How to Display Art Using Roku
Roku is a really handy option because it works even if your TV itself is fairly basic. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, Roku can usually do the job.
To display art using Roku:
- Make sure your Roku device and your phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Open the Roku mobile app on your phone
- Go to the Media section and choose Photos
- Select the images you want to display
- Start the slideshow from your phone and send it to your TV
This is a simple option if you already use Roku and want an easy way to show artwork on screen.
How to Display Art Using Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV is another great option, especially if you already use Amazon devices at home.
The usual setup is through Amazon Photos.
Here’s how it works:
- Download the Amazon Photos app on your phone
- Sign in to your Amazon account
- Upload the artwork or images you want to display
- Make sure your Fire TV and your phone are on the same Wi-Fi network
- Open Amazon Photos on your Fire TV and sign in with the same Amazon account
- Select the album or images you uploaded
- Start the slideshow on your TV
Once you’ve done the setup once, it becomes a very easy option to reuse.
How to Display Art Using Apple TV
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, Apple TV is one of the most seamless ways to display art on your television.
To do it:
- Make sure your iPhone or iPad and your Apple TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Open the Photos app on your device
- Choose the album or images you want to display
- Tap the share icon and choose Slideshow
- Adjust the slideshow settings if you’d like
- Tap the AirPlay icon and select your Apple TV or compatible television
This is a lovely option if you already keep your photos and artwork organised inside Apple Photos.
How to Display Art Using Chromecast or Google TV
Chromecast is built into many modern TVs, and it’s also easy to add separately if your TV doesn’t already have it.
There are two main ways to use it.
Option 1: Cast a Slideshow from Google Photos
This is the quick and easy method.
- Make sure your phone and Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network
- Open Google Photos
- Select the album you want to show
- Tap the cast icon
- Choose your Chromecast device
- Start the slideshow
This works well for a fast setup, although the timing can feel a little quick for a more art-like look.
Option 2: Use Google Home Ambient Mode
If you want more control, this is usually the better option.
- Connect your phone and Chromecast to the same Wi-Fi network
- Download and open the Google Home app
- Select your Chromecast device
- Open the settings for that device
- Choose Ambient Mode
- Select Google Photos as the image source
- Choose the albums you want your TV to display
- Adjust any available slideshow or display settings
Once set up, your TV can automatically show your chosen artwork when it’s idle, which feels much more like a built-in art display.
Using AirPlay from an iPhone or iPad
If your TV supports AirPlay, this is a very easy option.
- Open the Photos app on your iPhone or iPad
- Select the artwork or album you want to display
- Start a slideshow if you’d like
- Tap the AirPlay icon
- Select your TV from the list
It’s quick, simple, and ideal if you’re already using Apple devices.
Using Screen Mirroring on Android
On Android devices, this feature may be called Screen Mirroring, Cast, Smart View, or Miracast depending on the phone.
To use it:
- Open the artwork or slideshow you want to display on your phone
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open quick settings
- Look for Cast, Smart View, Screen Mirroring, or a similar option
- Select your TV from the available devices
- Start displaying your artwork on the TV
This can be very convenient if your TV supports it, especially for a quick setup.
Using a USB Stick
This is one of the simplest and most reliable methods, and it works with many smart TVs.
To do it:
- Save your artwork onto a USB stick, ideally in JPG format
- Insert the USB stick into your TV’s USB port
- Open your TV’s built-in photos, media, or gallery app
- Select the USB device as the source
- Start a slideshow
If your TV allows it, you may also be able to adjust the display speed and transition style.
It’s not the fanciest method, but it’s often one of the easiest and most dependable.
A Few Small Tweaks That Make a Big Difference
This is where the magic happens. A few small changes can take it from feeling like a standard screensaver to something that genuinely looks like art.
Use High Quality Images
Properly sized, high-resolution artwork makes a huge difference on a large screen.
Slow Everything Down
Fast transitions make it feel like a slideshow. Slower changes feel much softer and more natural in a room.
Lower the Brightness Slightly
This helps reduce that “glow” and makes the image sit more naturally in your space.
Add a Frame
If you want to go all in, even a simple frame around your TV can completely change the overall effect.
Why Most Artwork Doesn’t Look Right on a TV
If you’ve tried this before and it didn’t quite work, it’s usually because of the image itself.
- It isn’t sized correctly for your screen
- It loses detail when displayed large
- It wasn’t designed for TV display
That’s why some setups look amazing, while others just feel like a normal screensaver.
Where to Find Artwork That Actually Works
If you want your TV to feel like a genuine piece of art in your home, the artwork itself matters more than anything else. A quick phone photo or a random image off the web will almost always look like a screensaver, not art.
That is exactly what we make. Little Summer Co is a whole store of TV art, designed from the ground up to sit beautifully on a screen rather than just fill it. Every piece is sized for TV displays, supplied in high resolution, and styled to feel calm and natural in a room - and because it is all instant digital download, there is no shipping and no waiting.
- Carefully sized for TV displays
- High resolution for a crisp, clean look
- Designed to feel calm and natural in your space
- Instant digital downloads, ready to display within minutes
Browse the whole store and find the pieces that suit your space.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a specific TV or a complicated setup to create something beautiful.
With the right artwork and a few simple adjustments, your TV can become part of your space instead of something you have to design around.
It’s one of those small changes that quietly makes a room feel better.