I am having the same difficulty. I would like to put the fireplace in a corner (I personally don't like having the TV off to the side on the same wall. In theory I would like it on a corner, but my room is all windows on one side, an a straight wall that joins a hallway so I'm not sure how that would would. As for it being too high, my current plan is to get a very comtemporary low fireplace. Currently we have a similar set up and while the TV is a bit higher than I like it (maybe 6 or 8 inches) with it tilted downwards it has never felt uncomfortable. Some inspiration pics: I'd prefer this without the inset TV as you never know what size you may buy in the future. [contemporary family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2103) by chicago interior designer Michael Abrams Limited The below option could be made much lower. I like the fireplace closer to the floor! [contemporary entry design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-entryway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_741~s_2103) by vancouver general contractor Klondike Contracting This one doesn't have a TV, but you can see that it is low enough that it would end up at the right height. [modern living room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2105) by new york architect Chelsea Atelier Architect, PC

Hi there, DH & I had the same debate... I really didn't want the tv over the FP as I didn't want the tv to be the focal point, but guess who did, LOL. We had concerns with the viewing angle. It's not as comfortable as looking at watching TV at eye level, but it's worked out fine. We still might get it mounted on one of the brackets that can tilt down. (Our room not quite as large as yours) Depending on the style of your fireplace, maybe you could have TV concealed by pocket doors above FP.9Do you have pics of your fireplace?) Another neat idea is having a piece of art that comes down over TV when not in use-operated by remote control. Not sure where you buy...or what this costs, but Candace Olsen uses quite often. A pic of set-up in our room...

Thanks for your feedback. Hadn't thought of glass doors. That would look great, except we have furniture close enough that the doors wouldn't quite open fully, which may be ok, but we also plan on placing books we are currentlyer ading along with a nice basket for daily used toys. I think that would be a great consideration down the road though, and something we could add later. I will not make them the depth of the fireplace, and can't anyway due to windows/trim. They'll be about 13" I think, which is an inch back from the little stub wall on the right. For the top trim on the side bookshelves I was basically going to copy the fireplace trim but with just the two pieces visible, not three. justgotabme that's exactly what I'm thinking of, and good to confirm that it would still look appropriate even though I don't have windows above the bookshelves. What height do the bookshelves go up to for the best look/proportions? You can see the fireplace is basically a three-piece trim. We can do same height as the existing mantle, or just below that mantle shelf (below the top two pieces of trim), or below all three mantle trim pieces.

An alcove would be cheaper than new built-ins. You could just mount the TV on top of what you currently have and try painting your built-ins, but ripping them out would allow you to mount the TV lower which is better ergonomically (TV's should be eye-level to sitting). The little column details and trim bits make the built-ins a little busy for me, though. I've been told that built-ins add re-sell value, but if they aren't working with how you want to use the room, they should go. I think the alcove/benches in your inspiration photo add value becuase they give the room space to breath, but people seem to need a lot of storage these days. You could float some shelves high up in the alcove, but those can be expensive too. Here are a few inspirations: