"I love watching something when I am in the kitchen but if the tv is on the fireplace that is not going to be that convenient."

Unless by "when I am in the kitchen" you really mean "when I am sitting at the breakfast bar," then it's not going to be convenient no matter which option you choose. You'd be better off with a small tv in the kitchen.

Also, from what I understand, there are heat considerations with putting televisions above fireplaces.

With gas logs heat isn't really an issue as long as the optional blower isn't blowing straight up. We've had a tv above our gas logs for 6 years with zero issues. There are tv mounts that allow for you to pull them out and pivot, I'd look into that if I were you and still mount above fireplace. A mirror could help also if you want to see the tv from kitchen area.

Is this an existing home or are you "Building a Home"?

Mark, OP said it was a townhome. To me that means attached condos. I'll assume a large builder, so I would expect there is little chance of making major changes here.

A T, I don't think you have a choice and it will need to be over the fireplace. If you do a similar furniture arrangement to the model, only one person will be comfortable watching TV if placed in "option 1". It could work, if you never sit down to watch TV and plan another TV somewhere else. Hard to know without seeing what other rooms you have available and how you will live in the house.

Put it over the fireplace and get a mantel mount. That's what we did.

I think either option for you is perfectly fine.

All things being equal I prefer a tv mounted lower on a wall than the height you end up with over a fireplace. However in a room with a fireplace the problem for me is I hate competing focal points. Sometimes you can solve for that, sometimes not.

My setup is a lot like CP's and it works fine.

FYI for years here people would come put of the woodwork to tell you that you can not put a TV over a fireplace without the world exploding from heat and physically destroying your neck. I'm mentioning that in case remnants are still around and pop up to tell you it can't be done. It can, but it is wise to think about both heat and ergonomics in advance.

Personally I would never put a tv over a fireplace. To me, each is a separate entity with a specific function that needs its own space.

Do you have a pretty view out your windows that you want to be able to see when not watching TV? I suggest drawing an accurate floor plan and ’placing’ furniture to see what will work for you.

Personally the TV should never be a focal point in any room if it can be avoided, unless it is a theater room. Your fireplace should be the focal point. I would put it on the side wall.

Just wanted to add that lower mounting of tv is helpful for anyone with neck issues. But your room arrangement presents problems/advantages either way. The side wall location currently is in the direct sight line only for the person in the chair. Is it possible to rotate the sofa 90 degrees to face the wall with tv? Can you see the kitchen from the sofa? That is not the best view -we struggle with that in our house

Side wall. The fireplace is its own feature, on a wall between two openings. A tv above it will detract from it. And, it seems odd to look at a screen with the planes on either side of it retreating. And, watching tv, you have the busyness of the kitchen in view, which is distracting.

Personally, I'm an "art , not TV, over the fireplace" kind of person. I admit that might be the wrong thing if they are several people living in the house but if you're on your own, put it where it suits your viewing habits best.

jmm1837 Yes, I have the full freedom to arrange it my way. And I do admit that with the TV, the fireplace gets very busy, almost crowded. Thank you.

@bpath Thank you so much for the points you mentioned, I knew when I first into the model home, that something about the tv over the fireplace, now I see why I found it a bit odd. You are right about the retracting wall on the both side of the TV. I think it will get tiring after a while. Thank you.

mbriles35222 Yes, this is just the model home so I should not have any problem arranging the sofa to face the wall. I could look a bit more dividing between the dining area (compared to just having a chair) but I don't see why it could not be done. I love the open floor plan of the living/kitchen area and all the windows but I guess that comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

@functionthenlook I tend to agree, I am kind of leaning towards the side wall. Thank you.

Lindsey_CA That is exactly my dilemma. None of the option has any significant advantage over the other. Thank you for your input. I think in either option having a smaller tv/tablet in the kitchen area will be the only way I can watch anything while cooking.

Amanda Thank you for your input and sharing your experience about tv over gas log fireplace. I think if I gor for tv over fireplace, having a mantel mount like cpartist recommended might be a good option.

Mark Bischak, Architect it is a new build home, so I need to decide the tv spot for the electrical contractor during the design process. The photos I have here are from the model home.

chispa Yes, you got it right. Not a whole lot of opportunities to change things around. I have a flex room downstairs which I intend to use to lounge around and have as my craft room (so eventually in a yr or two I will have an extra TV there. And I intend to keep the living area as pristine as I can when I am home. This is my first home so I am finding it a little difficult to imagine the house before moving into it. I am trying my best :-) but I think once I move in and stay some time, I will know how much of these initial intentions will be converted into action.

cpartist thank you so much, mantel mount seems like the perfect answer if I go for the TV above fireplace route.

patriceny Thank you so much. I agree with your height comment. I think looking at the higher elevation and with blank side (retracting walls?) on both side of the fireplace will start getting a bit tiring after awhile.

Apparently, about 90% of the new owners of the project (my unit is towards the end of the construction phase) are choosing the fireplace ; it is a gas log and I believe people are not to warry about the gas issue.