Dont put anything above the TV. You always need a restful place for the eyes. I'd find a new home for the round decorative piece which is above the cabinet, thats above the mantel, thats above the fireplace. See what I'm getting at.

Check out Pinterest for lots of great ideas to decorate around a TV

I would move the tv up the wall, you can get cable hiders that run the cables down through the wall so you dont see them, then that gives you room to put a few books or flowers on the cabinet.

Why aren't you making use of the installation above the FP? I assume it is too small for your set. Do remove the clock. I don't see them as decor statements, just mass produced stuff for the big chain stores to sell. Group your furniture around this area and raise the TV, hiding cords with a paintable chase. Be sure it remains below the door frame though.

Hire a good handyman to install your tv above the fireplace. You have all the outlets you need there already and the space is intended for that. You can retro fit the space to house this tv and your electronics.

The installation above the fireplace houses the satalite box, DVR player, tuner etc. My husband didn't want the TV as high as it would have been to put it above the fireplace. Thanks.

Just throwing this out there. Have you considered replacing your mantle for a slim more streamlined one or just removing it all together. Seems everything in that cabinet should be in the buffet and TV above the fireplace. This is just me, if it were my place I'd:
Remove cabinet and mantel, they make the fireplace look top heavy. House all components in the buffet and possibly paint the buffet a different colour. Move TV above the fireplace, with the mantel gone the TV can be much lower. Remove the candle holder and clock, they could possibly use above/on the buffet.

As suggested above several times, ditch the cabinet and clock above fireplace. Move the TV components into lower cabinet; put TV above fireplace; and find a nice artwork to put on wall where TV presently is. I know this sounds like a big job, but it is not. You will enjoy the new setting immensely!

I think if you hang it on bracket, it will give you more height and look more to scale.

HI -- The TV is fine where it is and the Mantel is fine too. I would relocate the TV works into the buffet console and hide the little speakers down lower . Remove the odd cabinet that is over the mantel and repair and patch the wall then place a large painting or mirror slightly above the mantel . Move the clock down near the TV and include it with an arrangement with other decor items and pictures around the TV remembering not to go higher than the top of the door. Remove the URNS ? from the top of the speakers -- just a little too much left/right decoration.Now for the console/buffet - I would paint it black and replace the knobs with some glass or chrome or black glass ones. Remove all other unnessiary items.There that should do it - clean , stylish , simple and modern .

I agree with the clutter above the fireplace. That's what is throwing the TV cabinet wall off. The 'decor' is placed uncomfortably high over the fireplace.

DO NOT hang your TV above the fireplace - it is ergonomically hard on your neck and shoulders to have it up this high.

hang the TV on a bracket is the best advice - what do the doors lead to above the fireplace?
Remove the metal round accessory as it is causing the proportions from left to right to be off-putting.

I would hang the TV on the wall placing the wires in the wall to hide them. I agree with Marie that hanging it over the fireplace will cramp your neck Who started that trend! I would get rid of the cabinet over the fireplace as well as the round thingy and replace it with a nice piece of art.

Do you want esthetics or do you want to have an un-cramped neck. I have had my TV above my fireplace for years, and I have not been to the chiropractor once. As a matter of fact my space is small and the couch is quite close to the TV - NO ISSUES. You have too much going on in this room. Do what works for you.

If you do not want to put the TV above the mantle, then I would STRONGLY suggest getting rid of that cabinet above the mantle. That thing is SO out of place. If you were going to hide the components, I would have done it behind the TV, but not above the mantle. I have seen THOUSANDS of fireplaces and yours is the first one with a built in cabinet above it. IT NEEDS TO GO.

Hire an expert that deals specifically with TV installation and install it over the mantle And not the guys from Best Buy. Ask around and get referrals. It will be well worth every penny spent. The fireplace is your focal point in the room and it will blend nicely with the TV there. Get rid of cabinet.
I would then group my furniture around the fireplace.
I've had 2 houses with TV's over the mantle. Believe me, it works!
Good luck.

Move the electronics into an appropriate media console. Get a bigger TV and mount on the wall above the console. I agree with others on eliminating that cabinet above the fireplace then lower your clock or put new art above the fireplace.

Note: your satellite/surround speakers should be moved to the opposite side of the room - not next to the TV.

It's easy to spend other people's money... :-)

I must agree with 'pskimer'. In your installation, the tv above the fireplace will not cause neck pain or any other ailments. The viewing angles on today's tvs (especially plasmas) are extraordinary. We have designed thousands of tv installs above fireplaces with no complaints. Also, those who insisted on having tilt mounts ended up not tilting them at all. Technology has changed, but many designers simply don't appreciate these viewing angle improvements. Like it or not, the tv has become the natural focal point of the living room. And if there is a fireplace, it is a natural to put the tv above it. Having 2 separate focal points (fireplace and tv) is confusing.

Before suggesting mounting the TV over the fireplace, I'd like to see a floor plan/furniture arrangement. I disagree that having the TV next to the fireplace is confusing.

Well this is a can of worms, right callowl? Please post your response in way of finished look - it will be interesting to see your decisions after this honest input. I did hear you when you have indicated that your husband is part of the decision process too!

I really like lefty47's suggestion. I think if there is less decor on the FP side, that side will look more balanced with the TV side.

Stiff necks aside, Callowl says they don't want the TV over the FP. I don't blame her. I don't like them there either.

Personally, I think TVs above the fireplace are tacky, but that is just me. I like where you have it and, to answer your original question, I think it would be OK to place some black/white photographs on that same wall surrounding the TV. There ARE some really great examples of this on Pinterest. Good luck!

I thought it was a dart broad cabinet above the fire place, sorry. That cabinet looks out of place can you find another home for it?
I would like to see the entire space. Can you post more pictures of your space?
That way we will be able to help you out with furniture placement, and the perfect spot for your TV/TV viewing. Thanks.

I would move the clock over to be above the tv, to balance out the fireplace. If you like the convenience of the cabinet or don't want to do major work to remove it, why not paint it the same color as the wall so it is less distracting. Or you could hang art work on the cabinet doors - 2 side by side rectangular pieces, since the style of the doors is more country than the style of the tv cabinet. It kind of depends on how much work you want to do. I am always looking for the least expensive options.

I personally like the tv over the mantel but after trying it my husband disliked very much and moved it down. He believes it is not a comfortable position for viewing tv.

Callow says WOW!?!?!?!?!?! We are not getting rid of the cabinet. I will admit it is something I wish we had not done, but it is done and will stay. I have thought about painting it though.. I will remove the candle holder, the clock, the urns on the speakers and I have also thought seriously about painting the buffet black and roughing it up, like a Nate Berkus look. I will post pictures after that. Also, I will take some more pictures tomorrow of the rest of the room and the furniture arrangement. Thanks and keep on commenting.

I disagree that having the fireplace on a separate wall than the tv is confusing. I don't know what your budget is but have you considered purchasing a large cabinet unit for the TV. That would fill in the space nicely, TV would be at a comfortable angle for viewing and you would have a place to house your components and maybe even a few accessories and family photos. Then as far as the cabinet above the fireplace goes the trim work is beautiful! Don't remove it, use it! Have you considered removing the doors, and using it that way. You could put shelves in it or you could use the opening to showcase one large item. Some lighting in there whether it is recessed or a lamp might illuminate it nicely as well. I don't know how it's made but if it seems too deep you could install a false back with a little sheetrock or plywood and paint. Since you mentioned painting it, you could even paint the opening with that beautiful trim work and the fireplace mantle all one color. Good luck!

I see nothing wrong with you cabinet. I would just move the clock over the TV if you like the clock. I think that would give some balance to the arrangement.

My first thought was you are limited in budget or are not ready for big renovation. If you have kids please take the mirror from the floor, not framed mirror is not rigid and not safe. I am agree with Carolina, move clock over TV, to give hightwise balance with fireplace. I wouldn't recommend paint buffet black. Black color makes statment and grounds the space, but in small amount. You'll and up with one giant black pile, sore in your eyes. I think painting cabinet over mantel in warm white (less noticable), perhaps as your trim color. If you don't open it often you can cover it with big framed mirrror. Buffet could be white too, and add glass handles (knobs). Bright color for buffet would be nice if you can repete it some where else. If color repeted in couple of places it's ACCENT, alone it's ACCIDENT. Move urns on mantel, if they look a little low fill with dry grass, flowers, it's easy to change seasonal, later with some sparkly things for Christmas...

I agree that the cabinet above the fireplace should be taken down. Also, remove the clock and urns (maybe for placement somewhere else). Your current placement of items creates a disturbing roller coaster (no offense intended) affect where the TV is so low and the arrangement over the fireplace is so high-- this is hard on the eyes. If you take down the clock and remove the cabinet over the fireplace you will see that the heights between the TV and fireplace are not too far off from each other. This will help the area to feel more comfortable. I don't think it would be that big of a project to remove the cabinet and put up wall board to close up the area but if that feels like too much to do right now (or pay for) then you might try painting the cabinet above the fireplace the same color as the wall so that it will blend in or tend to disappear. Then put some nice accessories on the mantel (your urns for example on either side) or candlesticks or small stack of nicely bound books, a little plant etc... you get the idea. A little interest on the mantle will further distract from the cabinet. The cabinet itself is not objectionable the problem is that you have two disparate items competing to be the focal point i.e. the fireplace and the cabinet. Your room will be more pleasing and comfortable with only one focal point.

You could even try propping up a few small paintings or pieces of art on the mantel in front of your newly painted cabinet.

I agree with your husband, to many people make the mistake of installing their televisions to high. It makes for uncomfortable viewing, the tv should be at about eye level while in the seated position.

this is a great idea...