there are other walls to mount it on that would be eye level but then i would have to leave the fireplace out of the focal point and that doesn't seem to make sense to me :(

Do you love your fiancee more than the TV? : )

The best thing I can suggest is to leave it in the awkward arrangement like it is until she sees at someone else's home that having the TV over the fireplace isn't the worst thing in the world. Don't push it. Control issues over minor junk like this are just as stressful on a relationship as bigger things.

Since you own the place, is there any chance of reworking the wall?
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check out these ideas:

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/where-to-put-the-tv-when-the-wall-wont-work-stsetivw-vs~595002

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/design-dilemma-where-to-put-the-flat-screen-tv-stsetivw-vs~185304

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/tech-in-design-where-to-put-your-flat-screen-tv-stsetivw-vs~733378

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/todays-question-tv-fireplace-dilemma-stsetivw-vs~247282

I think there's a fairly easy compromise here. It will cost a bit, but isn't your fiancee (and 50" TV) worth it?!! Move the TV to the right niche. Have a custom cabinet made that angles out.

I agree that fighting is not the way to solve this problem. Look for a compromise.

Is this the only place to watch TV in your house? In my experience, three is about the maximum number of people who watch together, unless it is for a sports event. Hence, our TV is relegated to a smaller room and the living room is reserved for conversation and reading--yes, an occasional nap. Think if another TV-watching area is possible in your house.

If you must watch TV in this room one suggestion is that you give this one to your kid brother or father and buy one that fits the space that you have. Then put shelves in the opposite opening for books and DVDs and perhaps get shutters to cover up both openings when you want to talk or read.

Plan B would be to buy a cabinet for the wall to the right of the fireplace. Select one that has doors similar in style to the doors on the fireplace wall. Paint it the same color as the fireplace doors (could be different from what is there now). Then make the whole fireplace wall and this side wall coherent with a nice color paint. A problem right now is that the furniture and the TV are dark but the walls are very light. A medium shade wall color would help a lot. If you do this, you might want to switch the positions of the couch and the love-seat.

A TV above a fireplace is not unusual at all! In fact I would say that the majority mount their TV's there. The issue is viewing angle, and I always recommend articulating hardware that can bring the TV to perpendicular viewing.

If your fiance doesn't like the TV being over the fireplace for the sake of being unsightly, check out a solution like this:

Put the 50" TV elsewhere and buy a slightly smaller one to fit into one of the 45" niches.
Best Buy sells a Toshiba LED 46" TV that has an actual width of 41 and 7.8".

I think modifying the side cabinet to fit your TV (or buying a smaller one and putting this one in another room) is the best solution. While it is extremely common these days to mount the TV over the fireplace, I have to admit I'm with your fiance on this one. I just don't like the look of TV's over the mantel, no matter how well hidden by "art," and I don't like craning my neck to watch at that angle.

It's where everyone will be watching. Mount the tv over the fireplace, it will be great.

The tv is too big for the room,
Sorry!!

Boy, you have your hands full. Contrary to what most people think, the viewing angles are superb on the new TVs; it is unlikely you will be 'craning' your neck. Move the TV above the fireplace. Now you have the 2 nice areas flanking the fireplace to put in shelving or whatever. Do not rest the soundbar on the mantle, it would look awful.

Remember that the fireplace and tv are the focal point for the room - no way around it.

There are many ways to enhance the look of the TV.

http://www.houzz.com/projects/28056/Media-Decor-Concealment-Products

Mount above the fireplace, it's the best solution. Did it in my last rental and it was perfect. Just purchased my home in May and I think the TV mount was the first thing we moved in! Just get the tilting bracket to tilt down a bit and you will be all set.

Houzz has a whole section just for your dilemma:
https://www.houzz.com/photos/tv-mounted-over-fireplace-phbr0lbl-bl~l_51445

It's gotta be above the fireplace...no way around it.

I think part of the problem is the couches. They are very large. You could get two spaces in that room if you had smaller seating. The tv could go over by the window with its seating, and you could then make a seating space around the fireplace.

Please note that there is a "down and out mount" from www.dynamicmounting.com that can be used with the TVCoverUps solution, so that the art flips out of the way, and the TV can be pulled out and down. The depth of the mount when retracted is 4 1/2" so that needs to be taken into account.

My parents have an above fireplace tv and it is great. Maybe ask fiancé out to a place with this arrangement, and perhaps if she can experience it first she'll reconsider.

It is not comfortable to watch a TV that is placed high on a wall. You would need to recline to change your angle of view. TV height should be set so that when sitting your eyes are level with the top 1/3 of the screen. See this LINK.

It would look better on the other side of the fireplace. Mounting on fireplace will be too high

Old post!!