There are a lot of folks who don't like the angle for viewing when the tv is over the fireplace. You might consider putting built ins on each side of the fp and have the tv and accessories put into the cabinetry on the left side and books and decorative storage on the right side. It can be built in such a way that it would disguise the current offset unevenness in the wall that's there now.

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Agree with Annie - IMHO, most over fireplace tv mounts are too high. I really like her suggestion of flanking the fireplace with bookcases/shelving, with room for the television.

Hi Annie,

Thanks for your comment and your beautiful images. In fact, that is something I want to build for the design but I can't because of the structure of my place.

The pictures you show are typical fireplace design where the left and right side of the fireplace both have a concave space for bookcases/shelving. So when you put the bookcases/shelving near the fireplace, the depth of the shelve is either in parallel or less than the fireplace.

However, in my situation, the fireplace is as deep as the right space, which means if I put a shelf on the right, it will not be in parallel with the fireplace.

Not sure if I describe this properly. This is where I need help the most rather than the TV.

Thanks again for your advice.

To be more precise, the dimensions of the left side of the fireplace is 12cm deep (to the fireplace) and 96cm in length. The dimensions of the right side of the fireplace is 6cm deep (to the fireplace) and 180 cm deep.

So it is very difficult for me to design in this scenario. I just can't find a good example online.

I would try putting a modern console table like the one below (what I like about it is the shape) where your bar is now (right under the picture). Then move the bar to where your TV and stand are. If you want something over the bar, a large industrial looking clock would look good there. You can try using different shaped tables, accessories, modern columns, etc. to give the illusion of a more symmetrical space.

Love your floors!

My guess is that doing both sides as Annie suggested would still work. The shallower side could just hold shallower items, like artwork, pottery, even books that rest facing the room. This is the option that I would go with.

After having read several articles about what a bad idea it is to have your TV over the fireplace, it's something I wouldn't consider any more. The heat and possible soot are very bad for the TV and the angle of viewing is bad for your neck and can apparently even cause lasting problems. The quality of the picture is degraded because they are designed to be viewed at a lower height. In spite of that about 25% of new homes are wired for having a TV over the fireplace. I would do a little on-line reading about this subject before making a final decision. I've read comments here from people who have a TV over the fireplace and most don't seem to have a problem so it's a subjective decision. The consensus of the "experts", however, is that the heat and possible smoke will most likely shorten the life of the TV.

Sweet mercy, some people seem to hate the thought of a TV over a fireplace. It's guaranteed that every time this comes up, someone will tell you how horrible it is - you'll strain your neck, your TV will explode, and the quality of your life will never be the same again. ;)

I've lived with my tv over my fireplace for 4 years. I love it. I'm not ashamed to admit it either.

Viewing angle is fine, my neck feels fine, the TV works just fine over my (gas) fireplace, and I'm happy as a clam.

I think you can still do it. If you look at the 2nd picture I posted above, you'll see that the fp is actually recessed into the surrounding bookshelves. So you can make the shelves on the right side, say (sorry I don't know metric) 10" deep and the ones on the right 18" deep. The fronts will line up and look even. You'd want something deeper where the tv and components go anyway as they tend to be deeper and need more air circulation to dissipate heat.

You'd just have to watch code in your area for how close combustible materials can be to the fire box. Most likely this would need to be done custom. I know fireplaces look very permanent, but one thing I've learned in my years of looking at remodels is, there's a boat load more flexibility in fireplace surrounds than you think.

More examples of recessed fireplaces:

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It must depend on the strength of the muscles in the back of your head and neck if a tv over a fireplace will work for you. And maybe the seat height of your furniture where viewing. I ended up in physical therapy rehab from watching a tv over a fireplace for just 2 or 3 days while visiting a relative. From then on if I am put in that position of watching tv I sit on the very edge of the sofa and tilt my head back as little as possible even if I can't see the entire TV screen. The PT therapists said this is not uncommon.