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Original poster

TV above fireplace?

25 replies

MrsDThaskala · 13/03/2022 08:12

We have a log burning stove in the new house.
Currently a low (oh gosh don't know how to describe it) piece of wood. I'll attach a similar photo.

OH thinks a TV needs to go above fireplace because it's in the centre of the room.

I don't want it there because, well I think a mirror would be better and tv on a stand slightly off.

Do you have TVs above fireplace? I can't say I've ever seen one.

Just to be clear it's a low bar- so won't be looking up HIGH. And it is in the centre of the long wall.

I'm also attaching a drawing- could TV go to the side and I'd move the sofas a bit further back so that the two seater is slightly more level/closer in line with fireplace??

OP posts:

DaisyWaldron · 13/03/2022 08:18

The normal place for a TV in every house I've been in would be where you've placed it, to the side. It's not recommended to put a TV above a stove, because of heat and dust, but also it makes the TV dominate the room even when people aren't watching it, which doesn't feel restful to me.

Baaaa · 13/03/2022 08:19

If you want something above the fire place a large mirror is much nicer

toomuchgoingonhere · 13/03/2022 08:23

Yes that's my though too. But I'll see what other replies come back. I see his point, sofas would be central to fireplace and TV, but then I take your point about dust and dirt.

Do you like the wooden block thing or would you prefer a limestone fireplace surround? Not a period/ character house, quite simple and contemporary.

JoanThursday · 13/03/2022 08:26

We have a woodburner with a mantle very like the one in your pic. Our tv is to the right hand at a slight angle in the alcove, sitting on a low cabinet so its about eye level when we're sitting on the sofa. It would be too high if it was above the fire and would get very dusty. We have a large round mirror above the fire instead.

Bananaramad · 13/03/2022 08:27

I don't like tv over fireplaces, feels like a hotel lobby. where you propose is perfect.

GeneLovesJezebel · 13/03/2022 08:28

No. I would never have a tv above a heat source.

Igmum · 13/03/2022 08:32

I've seen this and if you want a large TV it's fine. I have a log burner and have a painting above it. TV to one side as in your plan.

Jenjenn · 13/03/2022 08:37

What you propose is better. We have done the same. Also even if the bar is low, you would still need to place TV high enough to avoid the heat. It could end up looking really awkward

WorriedMutha · 13/03/2022 09:28

I'm with you. We had ours over a fireplace where we had a modern electric fire for occasional use. We didn't have much choice as our predecessor had built an inset for TV and equipment and we would have had to reinstate the wall to remedy.
It was an absolute pain in the neck. Literally. A bit like sitting at the front row of the cinema. Now we've moved and bought a universal stand for the big telly which is now at the side of the mantle alcove. It feels right and is at eye level so more restful. The proportions are right as well even though it's a smaller lounge and a biggish telly.

JooLoo · 13/03/2022 09:41

We have a set up like yours but have TV in corner by garden doors and sofas arranged to look in that direction. Then you can have view of garden from sofas too.

FrancescaContini · 13/03/2022 09:43

Nope, never. Don’t do it.

Wouldn’t it also give you a crick in your neck?

Original poster

MrsDThaskala · 13/03/2022 09:47

Thanks all. That's what I thought too.

No it's not high enough to give a neck ache.

But...going to have to find a stand now. Lol

OP posts:

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 13/03/2022 09:48

We have it over the open fireplace but there's a deep mantel so heat so far has not been an issue. It's been there for about 3yrs.
Bought one of the TVs that can turn into a painting/display photos so it's not a big black box when it's off. Looked at building out the chimney breast so it could be built into a thin cupboard but it was too awkward with a high picture rail and coving. Would have looked bizarre

Alcoves were too small either side and room is a really odd shape so it worked best. Necks are fine 😉

Charleymouse · 13/03/2022 12:21

DH says it looks like a Stovax chesterfield 5 and you would have to have a heat deflector of some sort. He reckons your beam would act as one however the heat a log burner kicks out would not be good for your tv and he thinks it would invalidate the warranty on your tv.

We have a picture above our fireplace and the tv is on the adjacent wall.

Charleymouse · 13/03/2022 12:23

Aah just realised the picture is to illustrate the beam not the fire.

How recessed is the fire is it an alcove or protruding onto the hearth into the room?

tulips27 · 13/03/2022 12:27

It wouldn't be a good idea to have a TV above a working stove, it will be be heated up by the stove.

MurderAtTheBeautyPageant · 13/03/2022 12:31

TVs above fireplaces is a real pet peeve of mine. Hate it so much.

Your plan is best.

countdowntonap · 13/03/2022 12:35

These TVs are over stove fires. It depends what your taste is.

NaomhPadraigin · 13/03/2022 12:43

We've a similar set up to what you've drawn out, tv in the corner. We did investigate putting tv above fireplace but were advised not to as the heat from the stove would damage the TV.

HotChoc10 · 13/03/2022 12:43

I agree a mirror would be nicer but if it did have to be a TV you could get one of those Samsung frame TVs that looks like a print when it's not in use?

CellophaneFlower · 13/03/2022 13:21

Our tv is above our fireplace... but it's an electric fire. I'd much rather have a nice mirror there, but we watch a lot of TV and it's quite large, so makes sense it's the focal point of our room. It isn't too high, perfect viewing level for us.

pradavilla · 13/03/2022 14:19

I do. It's a gas fire though with granite surround and a purpose built enclosure so has special fire proof plasterboard. Like this picture.

The shop where we bought it said it were a more traditional set up they would recommend a heatproof shelf inbetween fire and tv to take the heat away for the tv.

loopylindi · 13/03/2022 14:43

You want to cook your electronics in the TV? Not a good idea.

Landlubber2019 · 13/03/2022 21:16

We were advised not to install a TV over our stove, but I see lots of advertising pictures displaying this layout. I was also told not to store wood around or below the burner, again I see this pretty frequently

ukborn · 13/03/2022 23:14

I do have my tv above the (gas) fire. It's a frame Samsung tv so it looks like a painting when not on. It doesn't fool anyone but it prevents the black box effect. I put it there as there isn't enough space to the side to have a decent size tv (I have a 50in one).
There is no issue with heat from the fire.

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