7 Ways to Rock a TV and Fireplace Combo
Win the battle of the dueling focal points with a thoughtful fireplace arrangement that puts attention right where you want it
Shane Inman
February 11, 2013
Houzz contributor and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. Under Shane's leadership, The Inman Company is committed to raising the standard of business to incorporate the highest-quality customer service with unwavering excellence in design.
Houzz contributor and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. Under... More
Putting a television and fireplace on the same wall requires a delicate balance. These two focal points need a precise plan for them to feel warm and welcoming instead of out of balance or out of scale. Be careful to consider the size of each when figuring out which layout works best for your home. Whether you choose to have them over and under or side by side, some of these winning fireplace and television combinations could help you find a truly harmonious look.
1. Complete cohesion. Place the television directly on top of the fireplace and bring both of these focal draws together by surrounding them with wood and molding details in the same style.
Design tip: Consider painting the backs of flanking bookcases the same color as the fireplace for further design cohesion.
Design tip: Consider painting the backs of flanking bookcases the same color as the fireplace for further design cohesion.
2. Separate. Separating the television and fireplace within the same space is difficult to get right, but it’s done masterfully here. The wood paneling running up the wall and over the ceiling to surround the fireplace wall makes for a perfect integration — it almost feels as if they are on the same wall.
Design tip: Think carefully about your furniture plan when you have two focal points in a living room. What would you and your guests prefer to see — the fireplace or the television?
Design tip: Think carefully about your furniture plan when you have two focal points in a living room. What would you and your guests prefer to see — the fireplace or the television?
3. Art form. This living room artistically combines the television and fireplace on one wall. The television is offset by the hearth for balance, while the streamlined fireplace almost disappears under the recessed cavity when it's not on.
Design tip: A surround like this can easily be customized into full-overlay doors for extra living room storage.
Design tip: A surround like this can easily be customized into full-overlay doors for extra living room storage.
4. Texture twist. You can use texture when combining a fireplace and television on the same wall. The extra texture actually makes the components subtler; the eye skims over the TV and fireplace, instead focusing on the wood, stone and cubbies.
Design tip: Even if your fireplace is front and center, you can camouflage it by using the same neutral colors for the firebox as the surrounding stone.
Design tip: Even if your fireplace is front and center, you can camouflage it by using the same neutral colors for the firebox as the surrounding stone.
5. Matched in scale. This fireplace and television, one on top of the other, make for a stunning lesson in scale. The perfectly sized components almost make them look like they're combined.
Design tip: When placing your TV above your fireplace, make sure it's low enough to be comfortable to look at. You don't want anyone to crane a neck when trying to relax and watch TV.
More tips for optimum TV viewing
Design tip: When placing your TV above your fireplace, make sure it's low enough to be comfortable to look at. You don't want anyone to crane a neck when trying to relax and watch TV.
More tips for optimum TV viewing
6. Side by side. This design works magic, as both elements stand side by side in perfect harmony. The television and the firebox are similar in size, which helps to balance out each other’s weight on the wall. The materials provide contrast while still tying into the rest of the home’s design.
Design tip: If concrete isn’t the right finish for your fireplace surround, try a gray-colored tile to create the same effect.
Consult a tile expert to find a material that is appropriate to use on a fireplace
Design tip: If concrete isn’t the right finish for your fireplace surround, try a gray-colored tile to create the same effect.
Consult a tile expert to find a material that is appropriate to use on a fireplace
7. Three’s company. Some may have difficulty combining two main design elements, but this homeowner managed to do three. This asymmetrical layout mixes the size of all three pieces (television, fireplace and artwork) comfortably into one design by maximizing the height and balancing the width of the wall.
Design tip: When adding artwork above the fireplace, do your research before purchasing to make sure it can withstand the heat output.
Design tip: When adding artwork above the fireplace, do your research before purchasing to make sure it can withstand the heat output.
Bonus: a second look at separate. Sometimes the best way to deal with these two focal points is to separate them. This design makes great use of an angled wall while still making it easy to enjoy the fireplace and the TV at the same time.
Design tip: Connect your fireplace mantel visually to the main shelving. In a design like the one shown here, you also could carry over all three shelves to create a triple mantel.
Design tip: Connect your fireplace mantel visually to the main shelving. In a design like the one shown here, you also could carry over all three shelves to create a triple mantel.
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PRO
Renaissance Kitchen and Home
Hello tapdancedi,
I couldn't agree with you more,
TV's are for designated TV areas, putting a TV in a formal area or a great room area detracts from the enviroment unless that is specifically what your intention for the space is.
I am attaching a photo of a compromise between a formal/ greatroom space and a TV area. I have designed a beautiful wood frame with special glass that allows the TV to show thru unabstructed while the TV is on and a Mirror when the TV is off. This eliminates the destraction of a TV when it is not needed, BUT allows great viewing of the TV when you want it!
Hope you like what you see.
Look for more pictures of this remodel on our Houzz site under"Townhome Redesign"
Also, reach out to me for a quote .www.interiortrend.com
Torry Manzo
Renaissance Kitchen and Home
37 Likes
Why assume people only want fireplaces in formal areas? We love snuggling under a blanket with the ambience of fire while watching a movie.
I here you there Dave.
That is another reason we started making the Hidden TV Mirrors.
When the TV is off it out of site and you can focus on the fireplace.
Here is another photo of a cast stone fireplace we did with a custom stone silver leaf frame and hidden mirrored TV.
Torry Manzo
Renaissance Kitchen and Home