TV Above Fireplace Ideas That Look Good and Feel Right

A TV above the fireplace works when the screen sits low enough to watch comfortably, the wall behind it is planned, and the cables are out of sight. It goes wrong when the TV is mounted at the height of the mantel's top edge and nothing else on the wall relates to it.

If your fireplace is the only spot for the TV, don't feel bad. It's a very common layout, and these TV over fireplace ideas will help you make it look intentional.

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

It can be, with trade-offs. The upside is that you keep one focal wall and free up the other walls. The downside is height: fireplaces and mantels push the screen up, and watching a high screen for a long time strains your neck.

As an architect, I'd say yes if you can keep the screen center within a modest tilt of eye level from the sofa, and no if the mantel is tall and the seating is low. In that case, move the TV to the side or into a lower niche. Also check whether the fireplace is wood-burning or gas, and read the TV and fireplace manuals about heat before you mount anything.

How high should the TV go?

Sit on your main seat and note where your eyes land when you look straight ahead. The center of the screen should be close to that line, or only slightly above it. A TV above fireplace that is too high is the most common complaint, and the fix is usually one of these:

• Lower the mantel or remove it, so the screen can sit closer to the firebox opening.
• Use a tilting or pull-down mount so the screen angles toward the seats.
• Raise the seating slightly or move it farther back, which reduces the upward angle.
• Move the TV beside the fireplace or into a recess.

Tape out the TV on the wall with painter's tape and sit on the sofa for a few minutes before drilling. It costs nothing and shows the problem immediately.

How to mount a TV above a stone fireplace

Stone is hard and uneven, so planning matters more than force. This is how to mount a TV above a stone fireplace in a sensible order:

1. Find out what is behind the stone: a masonry wall, a veneer over framing, or a chimney chase. The answer decides which anchors you can use.
2. Choose a mount rated for the TV's weight and size, and one that tilts or articulates.
3. Drill into the mortar joints where possible, since they're easier to work with and repair than the stone face. Use masonry anchors suited to the material.
4. Mount a flat panel or a mounting plate first if the stone is very textured, so the bracket sits flush.
5. Run power and signal behind the wall before the TV goes up.

If the stone is a thin veneer, or if you're unsure about the chimney structure, hire a licensed professional. A TV above stone fireplace installations carry real weight, and a failed anchor isn't a cosmetic problem. Heat is the second check: a surface that gets warm is a bad place for electronics, so confirm the temperature and clearances with the manufacturers.

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Hide the cables and the screen

Cables ruin the look faster than the TV does. Run them inside the wall with a proper in-wall power and cable kit, or, in a masonry wall, in a surface raceway painted to match. Ask an electrician for in-wall power, since code applies.

Hidden TV above fireplace ideas fall into a few types:

• Cabinet doors or sliding panels that close over the screen.
• A recess with a framed panel in front.
• Art-mode screens that display images when off, so the TV reads as a picture. They help, though a dark panel still shows when it's off.

Doors cost more than a plain mount, but they're the best answer if the TV annoys you when it's off.

How to make a TV above a fireplace look nice

Treat the whole wall as one composition rather than a TV stuck on top of a fireplace.

• Pick a TV size that suits the wall. A small screen on a big stone chimney looks lost, and a large one can crowd a narrow wall.
• Frame it with built-in shelves or paneling on both sides, so it feels set into the wall.
• Paint the wall a deep, matte color. A dark matte surface helps the screen blend in, and matte avoids glare. Glossy finishes bounce light and make reflections on the screen.
• Keep the mantel simple: a few objects at different heights, with a plant or two. Leave space around the TV rather than filling every inch.
• Balance the wall with art or sconces to the sides, not above the TV.

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Modern and traditional looks

For modern TV above fireplace ideas, use a linear gas fireplace, a smooth plaster or large-format tile surround, no mantel, and a flush mount. The screen then looks like part of one clean plane.

A traditional fireplace with TV above works with a wood mantel, symmetrical shelves or cabinets, and a mount that's centered on the firebox. Paint the paneling the same color as the wall around the TV so the screen stands out less.

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Other layouts if the height doesn't work

Sometimes the best idea is moving the TV. A screen on the wall beside the fireplace, on a low cabinet, or in a bookshelf wall keeps your eyes at a natural height. You can angle the sofa toward both the fire and the TV, and keep about 36 inches clear behind seating for a walkway.

If you have pets, keep cords and any floor-level equipment out of reach of chewing, and use a screen guard on the hearth if a dog or cat tends to sleep close to a working fireplace. Ask your vet if you have concerns about heat or fumes near your animals.

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For more ideas on fireplace rooms, see this office with a fireplace, and for wall detailing around a focal wall, look at wall trim ideas.

Frequently asked questions