I think having a TV or fireplace in a corner makes it harder to decorate a room, and I would demo it when I had the money to do so. In the meantime, would it be possible to remove the hearth without damaging the floor tile or was the tile laid to fit around it? If I could, I'd remove the hearth. Then I'd lower the shelf for the TV and trim out that corner area and get cabinet doors for above and below the TV. I'd shop around and see what sizes stock cabinets come in and then just order the doors. The opening for the TV would depend on the size of stock doors I could get. If that wouldn't work, I guess I'd ordered custom doors.

Thanks, chickadee2. The floor tile is cut around the hearth. I do think doors could be one solution that might work in the short term, if I can work around that pesky hearth.

See the attached link for annkatheryn's corner built-ins; one of which houses the TV. I would do something like that, skip the idea of a FP and bring the TV down to a more comfortable viewing height. Additional storage space can be used to house the components, DVDs, etc. As you mentioned a kitchen reno, if this space is open to kitchen, you may be able to even use the same cabinet doors.

Here is a link that might be useful: Annkatheryn's corner built-ins

Do you hate the tv up there because it's too high?

Without seeing your room and knowing if it's a good location for the tv, I would: Put all of the tv equipment inside and build doors for access to the equipment. Then, I would put up drywall and hang the tv at a better viewing height.

If you scroll down in above link, you can see a pic where she shows the corner TV cabinet open and how it is organized:

It is nice feature to have the doors fold in on themselves when open.

Regarding the hearth issue, I would build out the cabinet so that it encloses the entire hearth then if you demo the hearth, you don't need to worry about matching the tile as you can add a new base and bring the doors and furniture base to the floor.

Is anyone else wondering what the rest of the room is laid out like, doors, windows? I think it would make a difference in my suggestion. Would a gas fireplace insert fit? It looks plenty deep, the chimney would need to be boxed in. What's behind that corner?

Hey that pic looks familiar ;)

You can't see this in the photo that valinsv posted above, but my TV is on a stand that's roughly the same shape as the floor area below your current TV. I can't remember where we bought it, probably at the same store that the TV came from. So that might be an option for you - find a stand to go on the floor and put the TV on top of it. That way it's lowered a bit and might be easier to see.

It's hard to get a sense of the scale of the space - can you post a picture from further back in the room?

Wow, you guys are terrific! Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer!

I love the idea of the built in. That might be the best/cheapest solution for now. I'm posting a few shots from the back of the room so you can get a better idea of the entire space. I didn't prep the room, so it looks a bit cattywampus. It used to have a pool table in it and the man person that lives here thought the tv on the high shelf would be better for viewing while playing pool. Probably would have been if anyone ever played pool in there. So glad to see that thing go, but boy do I miss my laundry folding table. ;)

After the kitchen is done (next week=yay!) I'm going to begin on this room starting with that corner area, some kind of window treatment for the sliders, new lighting (PO put ceiling fans in there 8( ) and paint for the entire great room.

So, should I keep the depth? You'll notice that the shape of the space is squared off then moves into a triangle.

Arcy, I'd still really love a gas fireplace in there. Not only for ambiance but warmth too. My only option would be propane however. Not out of the question some time in the future.

I would have a custom made TV stand that sits on the hearth with the TV on it. It could have shelves below for your components. Love your arrangement on the hearth right now and I think it would be lovely on the shelf where the TV is now. Really love your room...especially your tables.