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kris6026

TV/fireplace dilemma

10 years ago
We just moved in to our home recently. I have already updated some. I painted painted and white-washed the fireplace, which already has made an improvement.

Currently, my dilemma is the TV. My boyfriend does not want the TV above the fireplace, so that's out. I wanted to put cabinets on both sides of fireplace to keep the room symmetrical, but the bf says no-that will cause to much clutter near the sliding glass door.

So, my question is what do you think? Do you have any ideas for where and what to put the TV on? I don't want any cords showing (yes, they currently are showing but only temporarily) What should we do with the wall near the door? That area seems to empty, but I don't want to make it too busy. Any advice would be amazing!! Thanks.

Comments (25)

  • 10 years ago

    Look for a low credenza which is about two feet wider than the TV. Key word is low. Add an accent chair next to the FP on the left side that won't interfere with the slider.

  • 10 years ago

    It looks like it could go on a lower stand and be tilted to view.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Do you exit out of the door closer to the wall or on the other side. If not next to the wall, I would add bookcases on each side and they shouldn't interfere, as they don't have to very wide or tall -with tv on the right. Without seeing the rest of the room, it's hard to suggest another potential wall for the tv.

  • 10 years ago
    This shows the rest of the room. The sliding doors opens from left to right, so that leaves the option to add something on that side of the wall (left of the fireplace). I would love to add cabinets to both sides of fireplace, but my boyfriend does not want that. He says it will be too cluttered and busy.

    Don't mind the bare walls, this is a work-in-progress.

    Thanks for the advice!!
  • 10 years ago

    Look at IKEA for a TV console that will fit between FP and wall on right side of FP. Put the TV on a swivel base so it can be adjusted for viewing.

  • 10 years ago

    Congrats on your new home!

    It looks like you have two sets of windows and a sliding
    door. It also appears that you have a
    sectional? FWIW, I would be more
    concerned about the cramped, small opening going into the room caused by the
    sectional being so close to the wall with the cut out.
    One other traffic observation, if you place the TV to the left, will the
    view be frequently blocked by people as they slide the door to go out?

    If those are two windows, I suggest rotating the sectional so
    the part that is currently blocking the doorway is on the back wall and the
    right arm floats in front of the windows.
    This will open up your interior room entrance and give clear view of the
    TV placed on a low credenza (as SandraClark suggested) on the right side. The TV stand really is too tall for that
    space.

    The black framed mirror may be too small but you can try hanging
    it to the left of the fireplace to see if it helps it feel more
    symmetrical. If not, maybe consider art
    about the size of your TV with some black or dark grey in it and hang it at the same level.

    Love your paint color and the fireplace looks GREAT! Nice job.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    The TV on top of the mantlepiece looks 1) a bit crowded and 2) hard on the neck. I do understand your wanting to hide the cords, but would suggest finding another spot.

    On that superb wall to the left of the fireplace and to the right of the door, I would put a small table (not too clunky) or possibly a window seat and a piece of art, either one large piece or two smaller ones. It's tempting to fill the space with cabinets because "it's just a wall," but there's much to be said for the clean, clear breathing space of . . . room.

    I'm appending three images to give an idea of artwork: Forever Yours, from my collection, to represent something horizontal; Stolen Kiss representing a vertical; and Hello, New York and Love, From Paris showing a couple smaller works, set on the diagonal.









  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Hang the TV on the wall with a steel arm. Add a low credenza below the TV that helps to his the cords and gives context to the TV. Let the TV float 6-12" above the credence. If you still need to hide cords add a plant or books to credenza.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Agree with what jtabtx said. Rotating your sections will improve your room a lot. Pull it at least a foot away from the wall so that it does not interfere with the floor vent or curtains. Also, it looks better not flat against the wall.

    A much lower cabinet for your TV. No more than 2 feet high. You can angle the cabinet or put the cabinet flat and just angle the TV, either on the cabinet or on a swing arm.

    Eclectic Living Room · More Info

    bay house · More Info

    Art over the fireplace. Use your mirror in a different room. I don't like the reflection of the fan in the mirror. Not especially attractive, and I'd find it annoying when the fan was turning.

    Hem your curtains so they do not drag on the floor. The floaty, romantic, dragging on the ground look does not suit your modern style of furniture.

    A large floor plant would look great to the left of the fireplace.

    Orchard Living Room · More Info

    I think this will look much better than symmetrical cabinets.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Mount the tv to the wall, left of fireplace with floating credenza below. To the right of fireplace, place floating shelves.

    Randolph Rd Custom Home · More Info

  • 10 years ago
    I was going to suggest exactly what partim said. Low credenza for tv right of FP, large plant on left, hem curtains and art over FP and also large art on sofa wall. You could also use end tables/lamps or floor lamp.
  • 10 years ago

    Am amazed by the division over which side to place the TV -- to the left, "blocking" a stationary sheet of glass, seems far prefereable to the right, where you force the kitchen to look at all the wires in the back (and where the glare from the windows will make viewing more of a drag).

    I think it's clear to put the TV on a low console on the left, and then put some shelves or a simple bookcase to the right, where it won't block the pass-through but will provide some storage and display space.

  • 10 years ago

    Window glare is definitely an issue. Only the OP knows where it would be worse. I assumed that the TV closer to the window would be worse, and that the TV at an angle into the room to (not facing the windows) would be best. But that depends on the angle of the sun too.

  • 10 years ago

    I agree w/ SandraDClark & bf. TV over fireplace (FP) will put center of screen too high above eye level. I see chiropractors in your future if it goes there. :-) Put TV left of FP. Angle it in so glare from doors not on screen. If right of FP, big glare problem. If you want to keep away from doors, wall mount on articulating mount. Put small console right of FP w/ AV system.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Flipping the sectional is a no brainer. Really will work so much better in the room for viewing the TV. You can really place the TV on either side of the fireplace. I would purchase matching chests for either side of the fireplace and use one to house the cable equipment and the other for storage and display art above and add a buffet light. If necessary mount the TV on a swivel bracket on the wall to adjust the angle.

  • 10 years ago
    Thank you for all your ideas and input
    Just so everyone knows: flipping our couch is not possible. If we flipped it to the other side, part of it would hang over the sliding glass door. The sectional is not able to rotate sides, it is connected.

    If I was able to place the couch somewhere else I definitely would have. Unfortunately, the couch came before the house, so we will make do with what we have.
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    It appears that you have two sliding doors. I don't see any reason why one of the doors can't be used as a back drop for your sectional. You can still go in and out the other doors.

  • 10 years ago

    Given the sectional is staying where it is is even more reason to put TV on L side of FP. People sitting on short side of sofa have to turn sideways to see TV. So 2 reasons to move TV. One, it can be angled away from doors to take glare off screen, and two, it'll be easier for those on short side of sectional to view it.

  • 10 years ago

    Beverly, only the right side is a sliding door. The left one is a window. One of the photos from last Thursday shows the window through a gap in the curtains.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Looks as though the layout should work with the location of your sliding doors.

  • 10 years ago

    'Nutha reason for left side: TV could be seen from K-LR pass-through.

  • 10 years ago

    Kris, I'm guessing that your sectional is longer than Beverly shows it so that it does overlap the sliding door, like this.


    What if you moved it away from the window wall, like this? If the overlap is not a lot, it might work.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

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