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TV placement with fireplace in living room

Jeff Lockhart
hace 10 años
última modificación:hace 10 años
I recently purchased my townhome and am looking to make some changes to the place. One of my first priorities is to find a good location for the TV in the living room as well as the furniture arrangement for the room.

The room has a fireplace as the centerpiece to the room. The home was built in the early 90s, so a large widescreen TV doesn't fit well in the floor plan. Currently, the TV is mounted above the fireplace, but I don't like how high it is. I like the fireplace, but it's not going to be used nearly as often as the TV is.

I attached photos of the room from different angles. I'm thinking I'd like to build a window seat in the bay window, so the chair would likely move to the left side of the couch in this arrangement if the focus was to be the fireplace wall.

These are the possible scenarios I've considered and the pros and cons that I see:

1) The north wall to the right of the fireplace in the corner of the room.

Pros: Close to the fireplace, so furniture arrangement can easily focus on both.

Cons: I would likely build some cabinets and shelves on both sides of the fireplace. The angled TV on the right side might make this cabinet odd to design in the corner.

There is 50" between the mantel and the window. This is enough for a 55" TV, but that would be the biggest and it would span the entire distance between the mantel and window, which might be too tight and not work well.

2) The west wall by the door.

Pros: Plenty of wall space for a big TV, media console and speakers. May allow for more seating with possibly two couches and the window seat.

Cons: The room would have two walls furniture would need to be arranged to focus on. The couch would likely need to move back to the south wall against the stairs. I'd prefer a couch that faces the TV, so I'd probably have another one facing that direction, in front of the window seat. I'm not sure how that would work with some space left between them, with the path to the stairs, couch close to fireplace, etc.

The distance between the seating, especially the window seat and the TV would be much greater with the length of the room in this direction. I'd have to have a much bigger TV to have the same size relative to the distance compared to seating in the other direction.

The front door would enter into the room right in front of the TV. I'm not sure how that would work with traffic and flow through the room.

3) Redesign the fireplace for a lower profile to allow the TV to comfortably fit on the north wall.

Pros: Furniture arrangement can easily focus on both the fireplace and TV (same as first).

Cons: Would require demolition/remodeling of fireplace/mantel/hearth/floor. Still not sure how the TV and fireplace would best coexist on the same wall.

Any observations, insights, comments and opinions you can contribute would help a lot in making the right decision for me. This is my first home! Thanks.

Comentarios (25)

  • PRO
    Deborah Vanderzel Designs
    hace 10 años
    An easy option would be to utilize the bay window area for the TV, a cool media cabinet, some interesting drapes,sofa would face the bay, chair could live next to fireplace across from sofa. Otherwise a redesign of the fireplace would be of value, take down the fireplace mantle and surround
    And create a new low horizontal effect, chunky hearth and mantle that spans wall to wall. Good luck
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    Thanks Deborah. I wasn't considering the bay window because I'm not sure how that would work with the light coming in behind the TV. I'm not sure I'd want to block the best natural light source the room has as well. Do you know of some good examples that you were thinking might work well?
  • PRO
    Premier Audio Video Designs
    hace 10 años
    Is there any space on the wall of your staircase? This room is just tricky to work in, since there doesn't seem much wall space to fit the TV.
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    Yes, it is tricky. That's why I'm so hung up. This photo gives a better angle of the wall by the stairs. The problem I see with this wall is it's opposite the fireplace as well as the front door. So furniture placement to focus on this wall is difficult.
  • soto01
    hace 10 años
    What would you think of a new console cabinet placed there at the entrance to the room right off the front door. It would serve as a nice division for the entry and LV room. On top of it you could place containers or baskets for keys, mail, etc. Inside the cabinet would be the TV on one of the lift mechanisms. When you want to view TV, you just use the lift mechanism to raise it to viewing height. They work by remote control. When you don't want to view it, lower it into the cabinet and it becomes the console table at the entrance. These new lift mechanisms are great for this application. Also, with the width of the new TVs, the cabinet doesn't have to be a huge deep mammoth in the room. Just a thought to throw into the pot.
  • soto01
    hace 10 años
    You can get some examples if you type in Houzz.com then at the top hit the "photos" button and type in the search box "TV cabinets on lift mechanisms". You can view many examples. But the one I'm thinking of is page 1 --second picture. Of course, you can design your own cabinet in any style and width you want to fit your TV. But when it is down inside the cabinet, it looks like a nice console table.
  • stefanmh
    hace 10 años
    Hi. The tv is quite a large size and dominates that wall.
    As the tv is possibly more important and used more often than the fireplace could you remove the fireplace and instal a bioethanol fire on, or within, the wall where the big clock is?
    This would basically be a feature fire but if you have a/c then do you need that mantle?
  • soto01
    hace 10 años
    Only other option I see is to totally redo that fireplace section. You could face the entire section with a nice modern stone. Place a long low ethanol fireplace (very modern) about a foot or so off the floor (whatever code requires): then place the large TV above it. It would be a nice focal feature wall there.
  • soto01
    hace 10 años
    houzz.com -- type in "ethanol fireplace and TV wall" = some great examples. I like the lower (about one foot tall fireplace section with large TV on top. Page 5 third picture down and page 1, picture 7.
    Jeff Lockhart agradeció a soto01
  • colonialgp
    hace 10 años
    You probably won't like this answer but it goes along with soto01. The tv is too large for the space. Downsize a bit and put it on a table with rollers that would sit to the right of the fireplace, where all the wires are cascading down. Your neck will thank you and you'll get your fireplace back. Otherwise put it in a spare bedroom if you have one and make it your den.
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    soto01 I did consider placing the TV in the middle of the room to divide the entryway, but didn't consider the lift mechanism. I didn't like the idea of something blocking the view into the room from the door, but the lift mechanism would allow this to be lessened. I plan to install surround speakers and have a bit of A/V equipment to go along with the TV that would need a place to go underneath, so this cabinet would likely not be able to be as slim as some of the examples.
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    I do like some of the lower profile fireplaces. I think something like that would work well. I'm surprised by some of the example photos where they have the lower profile fireplace, but still have the TV quite high on the wall. It's really not an ideal viewing angle at that height, always have to be looking up at it.
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    Última modificación: hace 10 años
    colonialgp you're right I don't really like the suggestion to downsize the TV. The set above the fireplace now is 46" (which came with the home). I am actually thinking I will get a newer model that has much thinner bezels and a lower profile, but would also likely be bigger, something like 55".

    I don't watch a ton of TV, but when I do, it's for sporting events and movies, which I like to enjoy a good home theater experience. Having the TV in the living room is a must to enjoy those things with friends and family. There might be other screens, possibly even a TV in other rooms, but I want a good setup in the living room for an optimal experience there.
  • kellis1977
    hace 10 años
    It looks like you only have 2 options, as mentioned previously: 1) Re-work the fireplace (lower/modernized) or 2) chose a media console in the bay window area. You are correct that the media in front of that window may not be the most "ideal", but it is the most price conscious for the time being. That will give you time to save up for a fireplace rework when you are ready and have done your research.
  • soto01
    hace 10 años
    If you want a theater experience, I have a third option for you (though not my favorite -- I like the fireplace rework). You could suspend a movie screen from the ceiling (hidden in the ceiling) and use the projector method. Not my favorite, but in the interest of variety, I thought I would put it out there.
  • PRO
    Premier Audio Video Designs
    hace 10 años
    There are a lot of factors to consider when planning a front projection system. The joists need to be going the right way for a flush mount motorized screen, the distance from the projector to the screen needs to be taken into account, electrical and A/V wires will need to be run - it's not as simple as it may sound. Good motorized screens that will not reflect light are also not cheap, and since that room has a lot of sources of ambient light, it would be pretty good to have. Based on what I can see in the photos, a projection system is going to be overkill for that room. It's a good thought, but not the right space.
  • soto01
    hace 10 años
    Premier Audio, you are very knowledgeable! I leave all that stuff to the pros like you! I was just throwing out some suggestions as he has very limited ones to consider.
  • jn3344
    hace 10 años
    This is a very common dilemma. The option of placing the TV in the bay area is an acceptable Plan B; there really isn't any other place. But I think you need to go for redoing the fireplace. I eventually went that route. My inspiration photos are more modern but you get the idea.

    Good luck.

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    Jeff Lockhart agradeció a jn3344
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    Yeah, a projector would be a little much for the living room. Thanks for those fireplace examples. I think you've got me leaning in the direction of redoing the fireplace to make room for a better position to situate the TV on that wall. I will need to consult with someone who can do that for me. Are there any concerns I should be aware of with placing the fireplace and TV close together, like heat maybe?
  • jn3344
    hace 10 años
    There is, actually, but I'm not the expert on that. I was looking for an old thread where people talked about it but I cant find it now. I think you can find out from a fireplace store. It's not terribly restrictive but you do need to take care.

    Good luck!
    Jeff Lockhart agradeció a jn3344
  • Jeff Lockhart
    Autor original
    hace 10 años
    Última modificación: hace 10 años
    I like a design something like this: http://houzz.com/photos/646072
    I like the low profile while still incorporating a mantel. I like the rock surround as well. I can have some nice cabinets and shelves designed to go on the sides.

    I'm thinking I'd want to tear out the current mantel and surround and frame out the location of the new fireplace to come forward to where the hearth extends to currently. I would still probably take out the hearth so the fireplace sits all the way on the floor so it's as low as possible. It would be in front of the current firebox, but should still be able to vent up the chimney. That way I wouldn't have to worry about the tile which goes up to the hearth. It would also bring the fireplace forward to balance with the cabinets on the side. I also like the wall for the TV brought forward, not quite as much as the fireplace, but balances with the shelves as well.
  • mrharms
    hace 10 años
    I suggest using a low media cabinet or TV Stand and placing the TV in front of the stairs. Use 2 chairs in front of the fireplace so you can still utilize the fireplace feature.
  • PRO
    Goodfella Stone
    hace 10 años
    Have you considered creating a feature wall and building out the wall to go flush with the fireplace? This way the TV can sit inside the wall and won't look so oversized. Finishing the wall in a beautiful stone will transform the room for sure! Check out our website for some more ideas. www.goodfella.ca
  • PRO
    Custom Audio
    hace 10 años
    Jeff-
    Here is a photo of an "ArtScreen" from Vutec. The finished products look beautiful when installed properly. I also recommend an A/V Specialist to guide you. Good luck with your project!
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