I would disable this fireplace and demolish the brick surround so you can put the TV above the fireplace. That would provide you with the most seating in front of the TV.

That may be the long term goal of the basement, but I don’t want to do it right away. In that case, option 3 may be the best short term solution and then I can spruce up the fireplace with some decoration or something just as a decorative piece that isn’t the focus of the room.

Can't you just stand the TV on the hearth, right in front of the fireplace? Small cabinet to one side with components, and it should be easy to arrange a heap of seating down there. The arm over by the sliders can be a game table or something else separate.

That's not a bad idea. I'd have to think about that a little more though. I'm not so sure the hearth is tall enough to just stand a TV on. It might look awkward being so low. I was thinking that area by the sliding door could be a ping pong table or card table too. I hope to do something like that.

I think I'll have to accept that any solution won't be perfect as long as that fireplace is there, I just have to pick the option that is the best that I can work with.

Hi Mmsportsgeek!

As I have a hubs who is an audiophile, (and we live in a tiny space), what is the size of your tv and equipment?

What is the status of the electrical and wifi strength in your basement?

Will this room be a media room, home theater or your man cave?

P.S-Bears had it last night...all the way to the end, pppfffftttt

Hi Janie!

My Tv is currently 50”. All the equipment I have is relatively small. The biggest thing being an AV receiver and all of it fits in an entertainment center that is about 50-55” long and about 2 feet tall. I also have some small satellite speakers that I use for surround sound that can be placed pretty much anywhere.

I can’t speak to the WiFi strength but I will make it work. I’ll buy whatever it takes to get good coverage throughout the home. I may end up putting the router in the basement. There is plenty of outlets to accommodate the equipment I need.

I wouldn’t call this room a man cave, exactly. Although it might transform into one over time if I get my way :) This is just the most logical place to put the primary TV in the home as the layout for the upstairs living room is even worse for an entertainment room.

That game was tough to watch last night for the both of us I’m sure! Sorry your Bears are having a rough year. Ours isn’t going too much better.

Hi Mnsportsgeek,

I would go with number 3.

Put the couch in front of the fireplace by a couple of feet, so you can still turn it on for warmth.

Just set it up like that and see if you like it. Give yourself the chance to change your mind after living in it for a while, don't do anything drastic like shutting down the basement FP right away.

Also, you need a bigger TV now that you have this great new space ;)

I would like to upgrade at some point! There is a never ending list now that we will finally have our own space. A higher priority will be gettting rid of that ugly yellow paint :) We have to pass inspection first I suppose before I can start really planning!

I appreciate your feedback. If this was just another rental I really wouldn’t care what I did, but now that I can call it my own I want to do the best I can with the resources I have!

Hi Sync Systems! Thanks for the reply. That is a great idea! I didn't think about a swivel mount. I'll have to seriously consider that.