TV Above Fireplace Ideas That Look Good and Work

Putting a TV above a fireplace works when three things line up: the fireplace gives off little enough heat for the wall, the screen sits low enough to watch comfortably, and the wall around it is styled so the black rectangle doesn't take over. If one of those fails, move the TV or hide it.

It's a very common setup, and a lot of living rooms simply don't have another wall for the TV, so don't feel bad about it. Below are the ideas I'd start with, in the order I'd check them.

Save

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

Sometimes. It's a good idea when the fireplace is rarely used, is electric, or is a well-insulated gas unit, and when the mantel is shallow enough that you can keep the screen close to eye level. It's a weak idea when the fireplace burns wood often, when the mantel is deep, or when the wall is so high that you'd be looking up for every movie.

Check the fireplace manufacturer's clearance requirements for anything mounted above the opening, and the TV maker's operating temperature range. For wood-burning fireplaces, a licensed installer or HVAC professional can tell you whether the wall gets too hot. Heat and electronics are the one part of this I wouldn't guess at.

How high should the TV be?

Lower than most people hang it. Looking up for long sessions strains the neck, and a TV above a fireplace that is too high is the most common complaint about this layout. Aim to have the center of the screen close to eye level when you're seated, which is usually about 42-48 inches off the floor. A fireplace often pushes it well beyond that.

Some ways to bring it down:

• Replace a tall mantel with a thin shelf, or remove it.
• Choose a tilting or pull-down mount so you can angle the screen toward the seats.
• Pick a smaller screen if the wall space is limited. A huge TV on a short wall looks cramped.
• Sit farther back. A distance of roughly 1.5 to 2.5 times the screen diagonal is a comfortable range for most rooms.

Before drilling, cut a piece of kraft paper to the TV's size and tape it up. Sit on the sofa and look at it for a minute. It costs nothing and settles the argument.

How to mount a TV above a stone fireplace

A TV above a stone fireplace looks great, but the surface makes mounting harder. Stone veneer, stacked stone and real masonry all behave differently, so find out which you have first.

1. Find what's behind the stone. Thin veneer over studs needs a mount screwed into the framing. Solid masonry needs masonry anchors and the right bit.
2. Mark the layout with painter's tape before drilling. Uneven stone makes it easy to end up with a crooked mount.
3. Drill into the mortar joints where you can, rather than the face of the stone. They are easier to patch if you need to move the mount.
4. Use a mount rated well above your TV's weight, and shim the back if the stone surface is uneven so the arm sits flat.
5. Run power and cables inside the wall before you mount, not after.

If you are not confident with masonry, hire a licensed installer. A TV that falls onto a hearth is an expensive and unsafe mistake. For ideas on the stone itself, see how stone walls behave as a design surface.

Save

Hide the cables

Dangling cables are what make a mounted TV look unfinished. The best fix is an in-wall cable kit with a recessed outlet behind the TV, installed by an electrician where local code requires it. A recessed media box lets the plug sit flat to the wall.

If opening the wall isn't possible, such as in a rental, a paintable cord cover in the wall color is a decent second choice. Run it straight down to a console or shelf where the streaming box and cables can live out of sight.

Hidden TV above fireplace ideas

If you don't want a screen visible when it's off, you have a few options.

• Sliding or hinged panels that cover the TV and match the wall or cabinetry.
• A picture-frame TV or a screen that displays artwork when idle.
• A recessed niche with a cabinet door over it. This works best if you're building in or reworking the wall anyway.
• A pull-down mount stored inside a built-in above the mantel.

Panels need ventilation behind the TV, and the door has to open fully without hitting the mantel. Pet owners: a dog's tail will find any low-hanging edge, so keep hinges and the lower frame clear of the fireplace floor area.

Save

Modern TV above fireplace ideas

In a modern room, the cleanest approach is to make the fireplace and the TV read as one composed wall.

• Choose a linear fireplace, gas insert or electric unit with a flat surround. It sits lower than a traditional firebox, which helps the TV height too.
• Wrap both in the same material, such as plaster, large-format tile or wood slats, so the screen looks recessed into the design.
• Keep the palette to two or three materials. A matte black screen looks intentional against stone, plaster or warm wood.
• Flank the wall with built-in cabinets or shelves on both sides, either symmetrical for a calm look or uneven for a more casual one.

For a more traditional fireplace with TV above, keep the mantel and add a slim frame or painted panel around the screen. A framed TV hung in the same proportions as a large painting looks like it belongs.

How to make a TV above a fireplace look nice

Once the TV is up, the surrounding wall does the work. A few rules I recommend:

• Paint the wall a muted mid-tone. A dark wall hides the screen when it's off, and a matte finish cuts glare from windows. Very saturated colors tire the eye during long viewing.
• Keep the mantel styling low and simple. A few objects of different heights, kept below the screen's bottom edge, is plenty.
• Balance the visual weight of the screen with something on either side: a tall plant, a pair of sconces, or open shelves with a few books.
• Add texture in the room to soften the hard surfaces: a wool or low-pile rug, upholstered seating, curtains. If your dog sleeps in front of the hearth, a washable rug is worth the effort.
• Layer lighting. Wall washers, sconces or a soft light behind the TV reduce the contrast between the bright screen and a dark room.

Save

If the wall around the fireplace feels crowded, these ideas for decorating the walls beside a fireplace can help you decide what to leave out.

Move the TV to one side

If the height is too awkward, there's nothing wrong with giving up the fireplace wall. Place the TV on an adjacent wall or in a built-in beside the fireplace, then angle the seating so you can see both. You get a lower screen and a fireplace that can be a real focal point again.

This also suits open-plan rooms where a rug and a low console can separate the TV zone from the rest. If your room has a farmhouse feel, this modern farmhouse living room guide shows how to keep a TV from dominating the layout.

Save

What type of TV is best above a fireplace?

A slim, lightweight model with a matte or anti-glare screen is the easiest to live with. Look for one with a viewing angle wide enough for off-center seats, since people will sit at a slight angle to the wall. Pair it with a tilting or articulating mount, and confirm the TV's maximum operating temperature against what the wall reaches, since I can't tell you that for your fireplace.

Are TVs over fireplaces still in style? Yes, mostly because the layout is practical. They look dated only when the cables show, the screen is too high or the mantel is cluttered. A tidy, well-proportioned wall looks current.

Frequently asked questions