pictures didn't upload with post, sorry.

Take a picture looking at the fireplace from the second floor, but pointing the camera a bit more down so we can see exactly how much room your current furniture it taking up.

You and your husband should be ready to compromise to both get a great room.

???

Thank you so far, and I agree on compromising. Just looking for fresh and objective opinions and we like the ideas this far. Beverly does this angle help?

I think the TV needs to stay where it is, for no neck strain. Furniture would be too close to mount TV above fireplace.

Sectional might work with short side facing TV, other side facing Fireplace. Dimensions are important

.... Or 2 sofas at L-shape in same position

2 accent chairs on each side of the fireplace.

2 ottomans, directly in front of fireplace for additional seating

Large coffee table. Could be tufted for additional seating. Trays on top.

End tables where needed.

2 custom stationary drape panels at the outer edges of the window wall. Allows an opportunity to balance the room, add color and texture, warms the room, can co-ordinate colors in surrounding spaces.

Drapery Inspiration

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Such a nice room!

I just want to say that we have had our TV above our fireplace for 10 years, watching TV and gaming, and none of us have had neck strain.

Compromise is very tough sometimes!

Cindy - thank you for sharing your experience with the TV/fireplace neck & I'm happy to hear of no pain or neck strain, especially during gaming (which can be intense I've witnessed, haha).

LB interior, thank you so much for your insights and drapery inspiration. We did consider lowering the mantel & the TV mount that hinges out/lowers, however, you are indeed correct, this is an intimate space, so pushing sofas back would impede the walkway spaces.

lots to consider, this is why I like houuz. fresh insights of others responses, ideas, critiques and definitely experiences with the tv over the fireplace really helps! so the more the merrier and thank you!

also, the cat can be moved, he's not a structural piece, despite his thoughts ;)

You're Welcome! Just curious, do you think placing the TV above the fireplace will give you a better seating arrangement, whether it is sectional or sofas, chairs? I would hate to have an expense for lowering the mantel.

I'm thinking if sofa or sectional is placed where the TV is now .... viewing would not be as direct. The furniture would seem to shift right, while the TV above fireplace is on the left in the space. Or would viewing still be OK from right wall (where TV is now)? Furniture pieces do not feel comfortable if they are too far away from each other.

Do you have bonus space above the garage where the TV and casual sofas could go? That would make for a better gaming/man cave environment. Then you could inject some BC style in this room. A small TV in the kitchen/dining area would work for catching the morning news before work, or simply use a wall hung computer there for recipe hunting and entertainment while in the kitchen.

Hope these photo angles help, I also included the "before" photo when we purchased the home (lucky us, the trash was included, haha) and there was a TV cut out above the fireplace. The dimensions didnt work for our TV and due to all of the drywall damage (and a lot of other things), we decided to close the space off above.
No room above the garage, just the loft area above great room.
if it helps this space is 17'6" w x
16" d
Fireplace
52 wide
56 tall (top of mantle)

Do you ever actually use the fireplace? If not, there is no reason to make it a focal point with the TV above. Treat it as an accessory. The room's not wide enough to have the TV that high up anyway.

Could the TV go where you now have the gallery wall, facing the fireplace/

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This layout is not for color but just for the layout. If you want to stay with a fairly small flatscreen then IMO there is enough room to place it above the FP.

If however, you want to take advantage of the space and select a very large flat screen with a soundbar, then it seems that the best location is on the wall.

I would select drapery panels for the bottom portion of the windows to add color, texture and absorb some of the bouncing sounds in the area.

thank you so far again!
Beverly, thank you showing the visual, especially with the drapes and I pushing the couch back really makes a lot of sense.

We had discussed the idea of the gallery wall for the TV, but since it leads to a hallway and is opposite of the windows, which DH was concerned about light/reflection. & we do use the fireplace during, not regularly but we do.

We are also going to get designers from the area in here too.

again, so far thank you! very happy for the feedback!

If you push sofas back too far? Will the long sofa be under the loft ceiling? Your photo shows it that way also.

I think they should clear the invisible boundary created between the ceiling to the floor.

I would move the seating closer to the fireplace, which will probably not be good TV viewing if the TV was above the mantel.