I like your house plan - many really good features and little wasted space.

You need to think long term with this situation as placing the fireplace off center may bother you eventually. I know it would bother me.

Another thing that might seem *off* is that the TV is wider than the FP. Could you have the FP built at least the same width as the TV?

Is there space for the large bookcase on the wall adjacent to the FP (around the corner to the right of the entry) or on the long wall in the dining area?

"Another thing that might seem *off* is that the TV is wider than the FP. Could you have the FP built at least the same width as the TV?"

THAT would really bother me.....

I've lived with an off-center fireplace and it was a pain to fit furniture around. So, my vote would be to center it and add the bookcases when finances allow.

The other reason I would center it is because placement of your furniture is going to be difficult if the fireplace is to the right or left since it would place your furniture either too close to the entry or in the pathway of doors on the opposite wall. Plus, my guess is DH will want a front row seat to watch his new TV! ;)

I find $1000 to be high for that size bookcase. If this is your contractor's price, then talk to some independent carpenters and get separate bids. I think you'll be much happier with bookcases on each side.
BTW, be sure to include connections & outlets for the TV & components in the fireplace and the bookcase area.

On the TV size, as long as it's not extended beyond the sides of the fireplace you should be OK. I'd make sure the mantle is a full width mantle so that it's wider than the TV.

What I'd be thinking about is how you will arrange your furniture with the fireplace where it is? Seems like it would be "off" and the walkway to the bedroom would be compromised trying to make the tv/fireplace wall the focal point. I, too, think a tv that large will look really bad on a fireplace area that is smaller. But honestly, I can't quite picture that big a tv in that small an area regardless of the fireplace size.

Since you would be willing to use your bookcase that is not built in, have you thought about using ready made smaller bookcases on either side of the fireplace? You should be able to find suitable pieces for much less than built-ins; sometimes keeping a close eye on Craigslist will result in something fabulous for not much $$ at all.

It does look like a great retirement home with lots of wonderful features. Good luck, whatever you decide.

Note to readers..........the TV is 51" wide, the fireplace is 52" wide. The TV measures 55" on the diagonal.

I have to be honest and tell you that your plan has a poor traffic flow. The TV placement is the least of your problems.
I have been in hundreds of 55 plus homes and can tell you that what looks good on a plan is not necessarily practical.

If you are not committed to this plan yet, change it.

Here's what I would do:

The left side with the bedrooms and the kitchen look good. Your Family Rm, Dinette, and Entry need adjustments.

1.I would move over the existing wall between the wash/dry room and the dinnette, over to the right. I would put a closet against that wall and a little area for a bench.

Move the front door to the left to enter closer to the garage (inside that wall I just mentioned). This would give you a nice space with a spacious entry from the garage and the front door together. It would flow into the kitchen, dinette, and Family Rm (behind the wall) nicely, giving you some privacy in the Family room. You may need to add a wall to the kitchen at the entry, and rearrange the other kitchen walls.
2. I would put the dinette where your deck is.
3. I would place the Family room where your entrance is, so your Family Rm would be in the front, opening into the dinette in the back.
4.Your Master closet may get smaller(the part that is currently sticking into the entry needs to be shaven off to give the Family Rm a square shape), but you may gain another closet next to the dinette.
5. Now you can stick the FP in the corner against the entrance corner, or the master closet and the front of the house corner. With this arrangement you won't need to place the TV on top of the FP, because you'll have a lot of wall space. Try that.

If you move all that around, you will gain a beautiful open space from front to back, and TWO big walls in the Family room(one aginst the entry wall, the other against the Master bath and closet. You may have to flip the walls in the kitchen so that it's open into the Family Rm and the dinette instead of the front door.
You can always create privacy for your deck with a vinyl 8-10 Ft fence.
Play around with your drawing and let us know.

You all are soooooooo appreciated! Thank you for your comments! I like the idea of centering the fireplace on that wall and putting a bookcase (or some of that other furniture that I need to put somewhere??) on either side. We could actually have the fireplace made a little wider that way then, couldn't we? If so, what would be the minimum acceptable width of fireplace for that @!$@@!! TV? Or really, should I choose to fight this particular battle, send the TV back (it's still unopened), and get a smaller one? (We haven't started building yet so I'm trying to choose the battles selectively ... :))

With the fireplace centered on the wall, the top of the rocked chase would meet the vaulted ceiling with a diagonal line since it won't center with the vault. I think I'm okay with that ... but value the opinion of this group much more than I trust myself right now..... Your thoughts?
Lezli

lezli,

Your post reminded me of a model home we had seen a few years ago when we were house hunting. In the "morning room" was a corner fireplace with stonework that went to the ceiling that also had a large flat screen over it. The builder's website shows a photo of the fireplace with a huge rectangular mirror over it. Some might say the mirror competes with the fireplace, but I say it looks pretty nice. I'm enclosing the link for the floor plan. Click on it and look for the photo gallery link on the right. Click on that and look for the photo captioned "fireplace."

Also, my parents bought their forever home a few years ago, that came with a large fireplace. Their room is about the same width as yours with 9 ft ceilings. They mounted a 42 in over their mantel, but I think they could have gone a little bigger...

I should mention that they have their fireplace centered on the wall. There is a walkway behind the sofa that leads from the formal areas to the breakfast bar.

Here is a link that might be useful: stone fireplace with large mirror

I forgot to thank some of you for commenting that you like the house plan! That means a lot ... it's taken almost a year, five "Final" plans (THAT's embarrassing ....) and lots of anxiety to get to this one. (So notto .. there won't be any more changing of the plans at this point .. thanks for trying to help, though!)

annz, thank you for pointing out the high price of the bookcase and mentioning the mantle length ... I hadn't even thought about that! I also appreciate you and olychick's comments about furniture placement. I'm already worrying about that one ...was actually saving my questions re: the overall furniture placement for another thread .... although I'll take any suggestions from any source !

southernfrenchie, I sure appreciate the pics. That helps more than anything. That huge mirror actually looks alright on that fireplace ... maybe I won't have to choose this particular battle after all. Would you happen to know the width of your parent's fireplace? And hmmmm... I like the looks of that corner fireplace. What do you all think of that idea?

{{!gwi}} to see the pic southernfrenchie was referring to.

I see nothing wrong with the size TV your DH has purchased.

I don't think the price for the built in is excessive, especially if it includes cabinetry. If there is no cabinetry then I agree it is a little high.

I would center the fireplace because even if you can't afford the built-ins now you could add them later.

What will look funny with the size TV is that you'll only have 1/2" on each side of the FP. It will look out of proportion. Can you place the TV to the side of the Fireplace if you can't change the size of the FP and your DH insists on that size. They don't need as much depth as the old TV's did and even less if you hang it on the wall as compared to using the stand.

"I would center the fireplace because even if you can't afford the built-ins now you could add them later."

Ditto...if at all possible. I just read a blog where the homeowner said it was hard to place furniture with an off-centered FP.

Good for you for building the house of your dreams and for putting so much time and effort into it. Wishing you good health and happiness in your future retirement!

annz,

Thanks for the direct link to the corner fireplace photo : )

lezli, now that you mention it I am digging the corner fireplace for your space. You could put it in the corner facing the kitchen. Then you could bring your family room seating in a little closer and leave a clear walk way from the MB to the kitchen. The only drawback is the fireplace wouldn't be a "wow" feature when you come in from the entry -you'd have to turn into the room to see it.

I agree with lyfia that 1/2 inch on either side of the FP may not be enough. I would aim for at least 4 in on either side.

As far as the width on my folks' fireplace I'll have to get back to you.

Oooohhh... the corner fireplace just might be the answer!!!We could get the fireplace front up to about 60" that way, I think ... and yes, furniture placement would be much easier with a clear path to the MBR and a cozy grouping around the fireplace/TV. And -- no built-in's at all! Which is great ... I have furniture I need to find a home for, anyway! (All the TV components will be in the MBR closet and accessed remotely.) Other thoughts, anyone? Wow ... this bouncing of ideas back and forth is awesome...... thank you!

I would switch the location of the entry and the dining area. I think having the entry where it is means you are going to walk right into any furniture you try to place, and will have little flexibility and a lot of wasted floor space in the LR.

Having the DR (and the window) where the entry is means being able to have light filled space on both sides of the living room, and more flexibility on how you arrange the space.

It also means that the entire right side of the front porch will be available for seating, rather than being in the path of the entry door as it is now with the entry on the right. And, instead of the front window, you could even have a door to the front porch from the LR if you so desired.

lezli - I see you have stairs leading up to a second story. What will you have up there if I may ask? BTW, I love all your closet space in your guest area. It looks like you have one in the bath, two in the hall and one in the laundry. My whole house has less utility closets than your wing, and we have 5 kids!

Thanks for your thoughts les -- you make good points but I think I'd rather continue to work with furniture placement than make a change now ... for several reasons. I appreciate your efforts, tho ... :)

Southernfrenchie - the space over the garage will be a 22x13.5 bonus room primarily for exercise equipment plus a TV and sofa/pull-out bed for when more than a couple of our kids are with us (maybe once a year?) -- or if DH wants to get away from any female "gatherings" going on downstairs ... :) We can shut the door when we get too old to climb the stairs ... which, with the exercise might not happen for several more years. :) It will have 5' knee walls with some limited attic acess for more storage ... :) I can send a picture of it if you'd like ... I'm not at the right computer just now.

Yes, the whole storage thing has been a goal for me since we're downsizing pretty drastically. The closet nearest the kitchen is planned for a back entry coat closet, but could be an extra pantry, too if we need it (I doubt.) And even though the kids have carted off truckloads, and we've sold a bunch of stuff, and altho we'll likely not need all the storage, I guess I'm a little insecure that way; I'm an "order" freak and want everything to have an organized place for a home. BTW, we made the garage deep enough (no SUVs here) for the entire back wall of the garage to hold floor to ceiling shelves if needed. :)

Lezli

lezli- my in-laws downsized to a 3 bedroom ranch + study. My father-in-law decided to refinish the attic space above the garage himself to make a exercise / hobby room. It's become the space where the grandkids hangout when we're over there. The thing is you can only access the space via the ladder. You will be so happy to have the stairs : )

Let us know what you decide to do with the fireplace, and post photos when the house is done!