TV Above Fireplace Ideas That Actually Look Good

A TV above the fireplace works when three things are handled: the screen sits as low as the mantel allows, the heat is checked, and the decor frames the screen instead of competing with it. If your layout leaves no other wall, that's very common, and it's fixable.

As an architect, I'd rather put the screen at seated eye level, but open floor plans don't always allow it. Below are the ideas that make the best of a TV over the fireplace, in the order I'd tackle them.

Save

Is it a good idea to put a TV above a fireplace?

It can be, with trade-offs. The upside is that one wall becomes the focal point and you free up floor space. The downsides are a higher viewing angle, possible heat and a big dark rectangle over what was meant to be the showpiece of the room.

If you have another wall with a clear view from the sofa, use it. If you don't, the steps below reduce most of the problems.

What if the TV above the fireplace is too high?

A screen mounted too high makes you tilt your head back, which gets tiring over a long movie. A comfortable target is the center of the screen near seated eye level, roughly 40-45 inches from the floor. Many mantels sit around 54-60 inches, so the TV ends up well above that.

• If you're renovating, ask your contractor about lowering the mantel shelf, and check local fire codes first.
• If the mantel stays, mount the TV close above it, leaving a few inches of gap so the shelf doesn't touch the screen.
• Consider a pull-down articulating mount. It lets you bring the screen down over the mantel while watching, then push it flat to the wall when it's off.
• Choose a slim fixed mount if a pull-down isn't in the budget. Bulky tilt mounts push the screen into the room and make it feel heavier.

How do you manage heat above a working fireplace?

Heat is the practical limit. Check the TV manufacturer's stated operating temperature and the fireplace maker's clearance guidance before you drill anything. A deeper mantel helps deflect rising heat away from the screen.

With a wood-burning fireplace or a gas insert, run it for an hour and feel the wall where the TV would hang. If it's hot to the touch, don't mount there without a heat shield, and ask a licensed fireplace or hearth professional. An unused or electric fireplace is much easier.

How to mount a TV above a stone fireplace

Stone and brick are harder to drill than drywall, and the mount has to hold a lot of weight. If you want to mount a TV above a stone fireplace, use masonry anchors rated for the load, or mount to a wood backing panel fixed to the wall first. The panel also gives you a flat, even surface over uneven stone.

Drill into studs or solid masonry, never into hollow wall alone, especially with an articulating arm that swings the weight forward. If you're unsure what's behind the surface, a licensed installer is worth the cost. Stone also keeps the TV looking planned: a thin, dark frame against a textured surface reads as a deliberate pairing when the decor around it is simple.

Save

How do you hide the cables?

Dangling black cords undo any careful styling. If you own the home, have an electrician install a recessed outlet and a conduit behind the TV, so HDMI and power run inside the wall to a cabinet nearby.

Renters can paint a cord cover to match the wall color. Or run the power cord along the back of the mantel and down the side of the surround, tucked behind a tall accessory. If you have a puppy, keep any loose cord out of chewing reach.

Hidden TV above fireplace ideas

If you'd rather not see a black screen at all, you have a few options:

• An art-style TV that displays pictures when it's off. Look for a matte screen to cut reflections.
• Cabinet doors or sliding panels over the TV. These need real depth, so measure first.
• A motorized panel that lowers artwork over the screen. It works, but it costs more and has moving parts.
• A recessed alcove or accent wall that sinks the TV into the surround and makes it look built in.

How to make a TV above a fireplace look nice

Style the mantel to balance the screen, not hide it. A big dark rectangle needs objects with visual weight on either side.

Frame the screen with tall items

Put your tallest pieces at the far ends of the mantel so they act like bookends. Small candlesticks look lost under a large TV. As a rough rule I recommend anchors at least a third of the screen's height. On a screen about 25 inches tall, that's 8-10 inches.

Symmetry or asymmetry?

Matching pairs feel calm and formal, which suits a traditional fireplace with a TV above. Asymmetry feels more modern, and I usually prefer it here because the screen itself is so rigid. Try a tall matte vase with branches on one side and a short stack of books with a small sculpture on the other. The two sides carry similar weight without mirroring.

Save

Add something soft

Screens, glass and metal are all hard surfaces. A trailing plant at one end breaks the horizontal line. Many common trailing plants, including ivy and pothos, can be harmful to pets, so with cats or dogs choose a faux plant or ask your vet which real plants are safe. Secure pots and breakable vases with museum wax so a curious cat can't knock them onto the hearth.

Control glare and add bias lighting

Windows opposite the TV cause daytime reflections, so use light-filtering curtains on them. A soft LED strip behind the screen (bias lighting) lowers the contrast between the bright screen and a dark room, and it gives the TV a floating look. For curtain ideas, see this curtain styling guide.

Remove one item

Photograph the fireplace with your phone and look at it. If it feels busy, take one object away. Nothing should cover the bottom edge of the screen or the TV's remote sensor.

Save

Modern or traditional: what changes?

For modern tv above fireplace ideas, keep the mantel nearly bare or remove it, and use a flush mount with wiring hidden in the wall. Add one or two sculptural objects and keep the palette tight.

For a traditional look, keep the mantel and pair it with symmetrical lamps or vases, greenery and framed art placed beside, not over, the screen. If the mantel is a deep corner one, this deep corner mantel guide has layout ideas.

What if the mantel is narrow or you want the TV elsewhere?

If the mantel is under about 6 inches deep, don't balance vases on it. Decorate the hearth or the wall beside the fireplace, and leave the shelf clear. Another route is moving the TV to a side wall or built-in. Then the fireplace goes back to being the feature. For more on mantel styling, read our longer mantel and TV post.

Before you call it done, run this quick check: a few inches of clearance above the mantel, a remote sensor that isn't blocked, a mount fixed into studs or masonry, cords out of reach of pets, and no lamp reflecting in the screen from the sofa.

Save

Frequently asked questions