Fireplace/television designs

10 years ago

We are renovating our 1954 ranch. For several unfortunate reasons we had to remove the existing gas fireplace and surround. We are in the process of designing and building a new fireplace and have a dilemma regarding placement of the television. The room is completely surrounded by large windows, leaving the fireplace wall as the only option for tv placement.

I have poured over photos on houzz and have narrowed it down to two options that I like, which I've included sketches of. This 8.5' wide fireplace is the focal point of our open concept house and is seen almost immediately upon entering he house. We will be facing the surround with charcoal grey stacked stone or ledgestone, a wood mantle and stone harth.

I'd love feedback from you...which layout do you prefer? A side by side design or stacked? In the side by side design the tv would be above the hearth and on a low shelf in the niche, setting it 2' off of ground level. In the stacked design the tv would we be a few inches above the 5' mantle.

Featured Answer

groveraxle

10 years ago

A tough one. From your drawings, I slightly prefer the side-by-side option. That said, have you played with the sizes of the TV and the firebox, or are those already determined? I ask because I think I would not like side-by-side if TV and firebox are not exactly the same height.

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Comments (10)

PRO
JA Gallagher Inc
10 years ago
Most important in design is viewer comfort so thing about how you will be spending your time viewing and where you will be viewing from (location of seating).
Most of our installaions have gone over the top of the mantle. Given the height I would recomend at the least a wallmount bracket that tilts to adjust viewing angle (the bottom of the monitor is at 60 so would put the center at least 18 inches above that) but would recommend an articulating bracket so the monitor could be set to any viewing angle. The side by side works as well and brings the monintor closer to the floor. Once again you need to ask yourself what will be my primary viewing position/location.
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PRO
HrH Architecture
10 years ago
The arrangement of tv/fireplace wall is a classic dilemma! For comfortable watching the tv height should be between 40-50" depending on the viewing distance. The centerline of tv should be slightly above the eye height so the person's head is slightly tilted up. Between the two options I prefer the side by side arrangement. The tv height may be lower than ideal, but having the tv above the mantel will require the watcher's head to tilt up which will not be comfortable for sustained viewing.
Danica Markovic
10 years ago
Id put the fireplace down, TV up and small shelves (3-5) on both sides.
PRO
KJM Design Studio
10 years ago
I would only go stacked if you lower the fireplace to be flush with the floor, eliminating the seat. This is a more modern detail and is consistent with you open-plan ranch. Then the TV could go above and not be too ridiculously high. Otherwise I would suggest the side-by-side, as I have this arrangement in my house and find it much more comfortable to watch a 'low' TV than craning my neck upward to watch one that sits too high.

That said, it's not going to be easy to make this thing look right no matter which you choose. If the TV is wider than the FP and you stack it, it will look unstable with the wider TV 'balancing' on the skinnier FP. If they are different heights and you go side-by-side, you run the risk of having a strange composition as well.

Have you considered eliminating the FP entirely? They're not much good anyway as far as heating is concerned, generally look pretty 'fake', and absorb cost that you could use for a well-crafted group of cabinets built-ins that properly house you TV, cable box, etc. If you're going for heat, there are some great Scandinavian wood stoves that are modern, efficient, and quite beautiful - one of these could be located anywhere in your great room, somewhere near the center?

Just some ideas to help you keep options open. Good luck!

Kyle
PRO
Dytecture
10 years ago
In this situation a stacked TV / fireplace looks more proportional.
Rhonda
10 years ago
I don't know if you have a gas or wood burning fireplace, but if you have a wood burning one the TV will melt!!
PRO
Carolina Moncion Design
9 years ago
I like the stacked method. If you have a wood burning stove, you will need a place for the irons and it really is a more modern concept.
PRO
Design Intervention
9 years ago
I like the second design. Gives the wall greater importance and nicer lines.

Check out this photo in my latest Laguna Beach project that has that layout.
Beach Bungalow · More Info
chris81996
9 years ago
Beautiful room. I like the TV/fireplace combo. Very sharp!

Fireplace/television designs

groveraxle

Comments (10)

JA Gallagher Inc

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