Looks lovely in the picture!

I think it crams electronic dependency in yet another area of our lives....but with the prices of house, and taxes to pay on the house. It is a way to blend many rooms into one

I believe it depends on the space you're talking about and how big the opening to your fireplace is.

For example,

1. if the space is a family room and the fireplace is a small opening in the wall with no mantel, then the TV can be hung at a reasonable height for viewing, You probably will have the TV on most of the time anyway, so the big black hole the TV creates when off won't be an issue.

2. If the space is the living room and the fireplace has a lovely mantle surrounding it, the TV will need to be placed too high for comfortable viewing. The TV will be "off" most of the time. The big black hole created by the TV will detract from the room and the fireplace.

Personally, I would only put a TV over the fireplace if it were the only option, which in most cases, it is not.

In most cases, above the fireplace places the tv too high for an optimal viewing angle causing one to have to look up (& can cause sore necks). Also screens will look their best when viewed straight-on. If not properly insulated, the heat can cause damage to the electricals. It is never my first recommendation to place a tv there. But, a lot of the time - especially in open concept rooms, it ends up being the only place that works with furniture placement & room openings (windows & doors). So as long as you are aware of the negatives...

Buy a mantel mount or another up and down mount. It really helps with viewing the TV with comfort.

I didn't think I would be as big a fan as I am now that I've done it. With the way our living room is configured, it was really the best option. We do not use our fireplace but it's still a fantastic focal item in the room.

Here is another example:

Whole House Remodel Sudbury MA · More Info

My design philosophy for living rooms is to create an intimate environment for inviting the art of conversation ... not for TV watching.

This one is nice :) There are a lot of other interesting things happening in this room and the focal point is not on the TV.

Modern Living Room · More Info

Some living rooms are just for company too!

Kitchen, Bathroom, Living Room, Mud Room Remodel - Sudbury MA · More Info

In my view the space above the fireplace, which is a major feature in a home where a statement should be made, is reserved for a centerpiece artwork. The TV is not artwork and can be placed elsewhere in the room.

Yes I agree to a point. But the room is also laid out to the families preferences. Whatever makes a home feel like home and that is different for everyone

I think there's certainly a time and place for it. Of course it won't be for everyone though.

We placed it above the fireplace in our former home. I thought it was too high for comfortable viewing.

That would be too high for me. My neck would be sore, but if it works for you, then do whatever you want.

Thank you for everyone's feedback

Visually great & usually makes sense to put it there, but we constantly hear complaints from homeowners who get neck aches when they watch TV for too long.