TV Above Fireplace Ideas and the Walls Beside It

A TV above the fireplace works when the screen sits low enough to watch comfortably, the wall behind it can take the weight, and the fireplace doesn't throw much heat upward. If any of those fail, put the TV on one of the walls beside the fireplace instead.

Those side walls are where most of the decisions happen, so this post covers both: the ideas for the TV above, and how to dress the walls that frame it.

Save

Is a TV above the fireplace a good idea?

It can be, and it's very common, so don't feel bad if that's where your only free wall is. The fireplace is usually the focal point of the room, and a TV there keeps the seating pointed one way.

The catch is height. Mantels and chimney breasts push the screen up, and sitting on a sofa looking up at it gets tiring. For comfortable viewing, the center of the screen should land near seated eye level. If the mantel forces it far above that, you have a TV above fireplace too high situation, and the fix is a lower mount, a tilting arm, or a different wall.

Then there's heat. A wood-burning fireplace sends heat and soot upward. Check the TV manual for its operating temperature range and the fireplace manufacturer's guidance. For anything involving gas lines, flues or wiring, I recommend a licensed professional.

How to mount a TV above a stone fireplace

Stone is hard on drill bits and unforgiving if you miss. If you want to know how to mount tv above stone fireplace walls without drama, work through this order:

1. Check the surface. Real stone, stone veneer and brick each take different anchors, and veneer may be too thin to hold a heavy bracket on its own.
2. Mark the TV center first, then position the bracket. Use painter's tape to outline the screen on the stone and sit on your sofa to judge it.
3. Drill into the mortar joints where you can. They are easier to drill and repair than the stone face. Use masonry anchors rated well above your TV's weight.
4. Use a tilting or articulating mount. Tilt helps with the viewing angle when the screen sits high.
5. Test the load before you hang the TV, and bring in a mason or installer if the wall is veneer over framing.

A TV above stone fireplace also competes with a very textured surface. A matte, dark frame disappears better against rough stone than a glossy one that picks up reflections.

How to make a TV above the fireplace look nice

Treat the TV like a piece of art with a frame that happens to turn on. Three things do most of the work.

• Hide the cables. Run them inside the wall with an in-wall kit rated for power, or use a paintable cord cover if you rent. A drilled grommet in a cabinet back handles the rest.
• Keep the mantel simple. A low stack of books, one lamp or a plant and a small piece of art is enough. Tall objects fight the screen.
• Balance the sides. A dark rectangle is visually heavy, so the walls on either side need some weight too.

As an architect, I'd keep the mantel decor below the bottom edge of the screen so the eye reads one clean block, not a pile.

Save

Hidden TV above fireplace ideas

If you don't like a black screen in the room, hide it.

• Cabinet doors that slide or fold over the screen, as in a built-in.
• A frame-style TV that displays art when off.
• A mirror or art panel that lifts or slides away. This needs proper hardware and wall support.
• A recessed niche above the mantel, so the TV sits flatter against the wall.

Doors cost more and need careful planning for ventilation, so leave room behind the TV for air to move.

Move the TV to one side

The walls beside the fireplace are often the better spot. The screen sits closer to eye level, away from the fire's heat, and the fireplace stays the focal point. Put it on a low media cabinet in the alcove, on the side away from the main window to reduce glare, and consider an articulating arm so you can angle it toward the sofa.

If the fireplace has a recess on each side, a shallow one (under about 12 inches) suits floating shelves or a slim console better than deep base cabinets, which stick out past the chimney breast.

Save

Decorate the walls beside the fireplace

Whichever way you go with the TV, the flanking walls decide whether the whole thing looks planned. For more wall ideas, see 15 ways to decorate the walls beside a fireplace.

Shelves and cabinets

Closed cabinets at the bottom hide routers, cable boxes and dog toys, and anchor the room. Base cabinets are usually 30-36 inches high. Floating shelves should be about 10 inches deep for books and 12-14 inches for vases. Leave 12-15 inches between shelves, and keep the front a little behind the fireplace surround.

Art, mirrors and light

Art on a side wall should fill roughly two-thirds of the wall width, with the center about 57-60 inches off the floor. Above a cabinet, leave 4-8 inches between the cabinet top and the frame. Warm light (2700K-3000K) from sconces or LED tape keeps dark alcoves from feeling like caves and softens the screen's glare at night.

Plants and furniture

A tall plant, about 5-6 feet, softens the hard edge of masonry if the corner gets light. If it doesn't, use a good faux tree. Renters can pair two matching chests or benches in the alcoves for built-in looks that move with them. If the fireplace is not in use, these ideas for an unused fireplace can help the opening look finished.

Save

Style the shelves so the TV doesn't dominate

Group objects in a tall, a medium and a low piece. Mix shiny, matte and organic textures. Leave some shelf empty so the eye can rest. Remove busy dust jackets from hardcovers for a calmer look, and group books by size.

Matte finishes absorb light and cut screen reflections, while glossy ones bounce it, so keep high-gloss objects away from the direct line of the TV.

Save

Frequently asked questions