Sorry, here's the picture

If you are able to tilt it downwards slightly, the height is not a problem. The size is an important factor. For things to feel well planned, you will want approximately equal space between the TV and mantel and the TV and crown molding (if it is added).

I wouldn't like it there. However, it looks like there's a perfectly good wall to the left where you could put your TV at a better height and over a console. Then you make an L of furniture that encompasses both TV and fireplace. no?

That's what I had originally thought. But that wall is adjacent to the stairs and I am afraid it would not allow everyone in the room to view the tv. It's not too long. I'll try and find a picture from the model home so I can show you what I mean.

I wish there was an easy answer for this. I know everyone in Houzz land hates the TV over the fireplace and can tell you all the reasons it's to be avoided. I hate it too. But the fact is many builder home plans (especially open design ones) leave no other realistic option, and (dirty secret) families want to watch TV together! Is it the perfect ergonomic solution? No. But I don't know anyone who's been injured by it lol. At some point I think we have to just acknowledge that that's where the TV is going to go. Magazine and reality TV shows without TVs in the room just aren't real life. In the remodel I just did I tried and tried to find another solution and finally gave up and hung it over the fireplace. I had a custom box built with doors to hide it. I've moved on and am losing no sleep over it :).

I understand why people dislike the TV over the fireplace, but I'm facing the same dilemma as you and I absolutely plan to do it (although I don't have the empty wall to the left like you do, just windows and french doors everywhere). In my last house, I had the same problem and put the TV in the corner of the fireplace wall. The room always, always looked off-balance and I swore: never again. ;)

IMO a T.V should be in a family room and the fireplace in a living room instead of always trying to have all things in one space.

Patricia, completely agree. I wish my living room had a fireplace (we have 4 in the house, but not in the "right" room). ;)

Would you consider a linear fireplace? That way, you can lower the tv. Consider that, for ideal viewing, the center of the tv should be 42" off the floor. You will be craning your neck with the tv over a 54" mantle.

It's all a matter of taste, comfort and need, looking at your picture the area is right and as mentioned above you can add an adjustable arm to set the TV to your convenience , if you don't like to see the TV you could have a cover for it example art' I have seen these and they are very nice too. TV are part of our lives and I don't see why they are nor included in many home décor portfolios , there is nothing ugly about it .

Here is one idea

Thank you all for your inputs. I wish the builder gave me an option to put the fireplace elsewhere or even a different kind of the fireplace like the linear one shown above. The fireplace is coming with the model so I either say yes to where it is now or just don't get it at all!

@swathi123 this is how I hid mine (ignore the mantel decor - I was experimenting when I took this!). This is modeled after one I liked that is sold by Ballard (link below) but the Ballard one was too big for my space due to the angle of my walls. It will fit up to a 55' TV so if it would work well for your decor you could consider it if you went a bit smaller with your TV.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/shutter-tv-wall-cabinet/327616

Is there another room in the home you could put the tv? I truly love not having a tv in our living room.

Another thought: Is there an option to have smaller windows on the sides of the fireplace (pair of high windows)? You would still get natural light, but you would gain some usable wall space and privacy. I would especially consider this if you don't have nice views out those windows (you won't miss looking at the side of your neighbor's house). Then you would have wall space on either side of the fireplace for a tv.

Is this a wood-burning fireplace? How important is fireplace to you? You could ask the builder to add in the bump out, but not put in the fireplace. Then, after the home is built, have a contractor put in a gas or electric fireplace. (Make sure you tell the builder your plans so that gas can be run to the fireplace if you want gas.)

Also, could we see photos of the room from other angles? How many people do you wish to seat in the space?

This is a gas fireplace. And we are a family of 4 who love to watch tv! Should I just do away with the fireplace? I understand it adds value to the home but in this case maybe function overrides the value?

swathi123, do you have room to mount the TV on the wall to the left?

Where are you located? In my area, it would be a huge mistake to ditch the fireplace. It may not be a big deal in yours. Would you and/or your family miss it? A lot of people enjoy the feeling it adds to a living room, even if you don't use it.

It does look like you could arrange things to view a tv on the left wall (what appears to be the staircase wall).

Here are more pictures that I was able to pull from other model homes.

I'd float the sofa in the center of the room to face the tv. You could add a couple of chairs on the window side. If you move the sofa back far enough, as in top photo, the fireplace is still possible, if you don't mind leaning back a little.

Or, you could nix the fireplace and make a cozier grouping, as in the bottom photo.

I wouldn't nix the fireplace if you will use it, OR if you live in a cold climate. But if you live somewhere warmer and really won't really use it anyway, and it gives you more function, then save some money and scrap it. Lots of buyers like fireplaces. I don't think many will turn down your house over it, expect possibly in cold climates. I live in the Northeast and while fireplaces do definitely add value here, you won't lose a lot of buyers over it. With that said though, I don't think you'd lose ANY buyers by having both.

You can absolutely hang your tv above your fireplace. 57" or an inch lower is perfect for the very bottom of your TV. I'll attach a few examples. One is a space that my boss designed for the Property Brothers. The tv actually looks incredible above the wood mantel. The first pictures is from a space I had an install for just last week. We convinced our clients to paint their fireplace black and I love it so much! Good luck :). You're on the right track.

Reference only visual pic for TV solution and ideas for furniture placement to accommodate the layout.

other considerations with the TV on the wall next to staircase

disregard photo 2 a repeat of the 1 above

I am also in the similar situation where I have to mount the TV above the fireplace and I have a brick wall ( it's an older home). If folks don't mind, Can you pls provide pointers on how the mounting can be done on brick wall. I can start a separate thread if that's better :)pls let me know

Krishi.. you'll need to start your own thread as responses will overlap with original OP

So the wall next to staircase measures 80 inches and is a bit small to have a tv in a family room that measures 16 X 20. What do you think?

With the tv on the stair wall, the tv will necessarily be shoved toward the wall with the 2 windows. That will limit the viewing area. Also, the sofa will likely be situated with its back to the windows. To me, not an ideal situation.

With the tv on the wall between the 2 windows, the tv can be viewed by your family from the kitchen. It is also an ideal setup if you have a group over.

My sister removed both gas fireplaces from her home. Her husband wanted larger TVs in both the main floor and downstairs areas, and that didn't work over the fireplaces. They seldom used the fireplaces. This is in Toronto Canada. She's very happy they did it. If anyone who buys the house wants to put in a fireplace, the venting is still in place behind the new drywall.

Without knowing the rest of your house, ideally I like to have a TV room and a more formal room. So I don't know which room this is supposed to be OR if you only have one space and this is it. If this is your only space for the TV, then given that I would put it over the fireplace and just decorate around it and make it work.