Though I’m married to a guy who loves all things technological, I can’t say I’m enamored with technology to the extent that I like looking at it or want it to be a focal point in a room. I used to be a big proponent o f hiding tv’s away in an armoire whenever possible! But, along came plasmas and I changed my mind slightly, not minding them discretely placed on consoles with objects placed artfully around them. But never, ever, I said would I go for a tv hung above a mantle, despite Jeff suggesting it a few times.
Never say never though, because lo and behold we have moved into a new home, and our family room left no option for placing a television other than above our mantle. Eeek where did my rock solid ideals go???
But you know what? I don’t mind it. We selected a tv that fits the proportions for the mantle, and it looks pretty good in fact. Now, don’t get me wrong, I sometimes wish for a mantle that I could decorate to my hearts content, hang a mirror above or a great piece of artwork, and style up like a Domino piece, but those moments are becoming fewer and I’m embracing the minimalism that comes with a tv over a fireplace.
And it appears I’m in good company! A few lovely images I came across while hunting for some mantle inspiration pics to give a potential client.
{Technology Meets Style}
So how to do TV’s over fireplaces RIGHT? Here are my tips:
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Select your tv as you would art – ie. choose a size in proportion to the mantle, and hang it at the same height as you would art.
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Go minimal – don’t clutter up the mantle with decorative items. Limit it to just a few items or none at all.
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Add visual interest with moulding details.
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Take into account where you will be sitting in the room and the height of the tv…will this cause neck problems? Reevaluate the tv placement if so!
For more great tips on hanging plasmas above fireplaces, see what Canadian House and Home Online has to say here.
I’ve never been a fan of tv’s over fireplaces either. I’ve always preferred a great piece of art or something, however these great pics are almost making me rethink that!
Karen
I’m so happy to see this post. The tv over the mantle was a giant debate (which my husband won) when we moved into our home. Three years later I still feel sheepish about it. Perhaps knowing it’s not passe will help me come to terms. Thanks for easing my mind!
Lol, Karla! I totally agree with you. And thanks for this, i’m definitely down with finding another spot for the tv.
Hey Michelle, was about to send you the link to this post for you guys to look at the images! Don’t get me wrong, having a TV over a fireplace can look fab….but if you’ve got another spot that will work, aesthetically it may be a better bet and it may be more comfortable for watching. We can discuss more what will work best for your space specifically though
It sounds like the TV over the fireplace issue has been a common theme in many a marriage! No need to be ashamed of it any more….you’re not the only one, and they can be done with style!
I agree with you Karla, having the TV over the fireplace can look great. I also agree with the idea of not having anything else on the mantle. I dunno, to me, I always thought that a TV over the fireplace actually nicely balanced the large dark square hole of the fireplace itself!
Excellent post! Hey none of us are fans of TV’s in any space, but above the mantle is way better than beside it!!
I agree. I thought I would NEVER have an exposed TV. But I too have an exposed tv in my family room in all its naked glory!! It really has become the norm and there are many great frames and applications to make them look like art.
I’m stuck with a large 46″ flat screen in my teeny tiny living room :-\ and not a lot I can do about it. When we first talked about purchasing it we discussed a 40″… then a 42″… and then, next thing I knew, we were buying a 46″. Brian said, “This is what we agreed on!”. Hmmm. I don’t remember that conversation!! This mega TV certainly couldn’t have gone over the fireplace, but I definitely found myself wishing it could! I’ve designed a credenza for the darned TV that I hope to have built soon… I think that will make a really big difference in how I feel about the silly thing. Okay. I DO love the stupid TV… I just don’t like decorating around it!
Victoria
Isn’t it funny Victoria how men’s tv requirements are constantly growing? I think that tv’s for men are as diamonds are for women…you can never go too big, and “shrinkage” (finding as time goes by they look smaller) is always a problem!
This is too funny…we decided not to suite out the basement and it looks like a plan for a media room is in the making…apparently 60″ tv’s exist? Oh boy, think we will need your help there too!
Love it…if there is a tv that big, a man will find it. But having a dedicated media room will be cool, and nice to have a space for a large tv like that rather than in the middle of the living room
[...] black and white, don’t you? {image found via Emily A. Clark blog} Oh, and look, it’s a tv above a fireplace! See…. more evidence we do not need be afraid…technology and style can be happily [...]
[...] black and white, don’t you? {image found via Emily A. Clark blog} Oh, and look, it’s a tv above a fireplace! See…. more evidence we do not need be afraid…technology and style can be happily [...]
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What about the heat from the fireplace? We are in the process of building a home and are concerned about destroying the TV.
Any thoughts?