Software
Houzz Logo Print
terry_hill56

Is this fireplace too big?

last year
last modified: last year

I got a deal on a 96" x 24" linear gas fireplace. I want to install it in my great room on a 14' wall adjacent to the TV. I am by no means an interior designer and I am wondering what everyone's thoughts are on how to incorporate such a big fireplace into my room and what design elements might help with such a dilemma. I was thinking covering the entire fireplace wall a dramatic marble or quartz.

Should the TV be over the fireplace? Is the fireplace just too large for the room? What would you do in this scenario?

This is a modern home and any help from someone with a design perspective would be greatly appreciated.






Comments (29)

  • last year

    I would Not mount a TV over a fireplace.

    Will you be using the fireplace? or just interested in a design feature... burning a fireplace is often too hot for a small space. What style of furniture will you be using in the space?

    a dramatic wall finish needs a dramatic wall/ceiling. How tall is the ceiling?


    Terry Hill thanked Lyn Nielson
  • last year

    Lynne, My wife is on the same page and does not want the TV above the fireplace The fireplace is high end and adds very little heat to the space and will be directly vented outside. The specs say you can mount a TV directly above it with no design restrictions even though we are leaning away from that option . It has double pane glass that is just warm to the touch. It will be mostly used for ambiance and a design feature.
    The furniture will most likely be modern sectional . I am also leaning towards carpet in the room to give it that cozy atmosphere

  • PRO
    last year

    Typically you can place a TV over a fireplace provided you do something to minimize any heat from reaching the TV. That could mean recessing the TV so it's not in the same vertical plain as the fireplace or installing a mantle that diverts the rising heat.






    Terry Hill thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Thank you, Beverly, We were king of leaning away from mounting the TV over the fireplace. The fireplace is directly vented so a TV can be placed above it without having to do any framing modifications or adding a mantel. Do you think A TV over the fireplace would be the way to go? Or maybe make the fireplace more of a design focal point?

    I am open to suggestions

  • last year

    With a linear fireplace, typically you would need something over it. So if you don't want to put the TV there I would put a large piece of art. Or consider mounting it higher and adding a wall treatment. But I think a linear fireplace with nothing else on the wall might look a bit bland, especially mounted close to the floor.

    Here is our 100" fireplace for reference, with an 85" TV above.



    Terry Hill thanked anj_p
  • last year

    Anj_p Thank you for your suggestion... When you say mount it higher and add a wall treatment what kind of "wall treatment" would work well with a big fireplace?

  • last year

    Search images of linear fireplaces on houzz. lots of options.

    There are some with just drywall but (personally) I think they look plain. Regardless, note how high they are mounted when there's nothing above them. Basically eye level when you're seated.

    Heatilator Design Gallery · More Info


    Heatilator Design Gallery · More Info



    Heatilator Design Gallery · More Info


    Terry Hill thanked anj_p
  • last year

    As you can see with anji-p’s images - how you design it will relate to the overall whole so what are your finishes, furnishings, etc? A ‘feature wall’ is a part of a whole and not designed in a vacuum

  • last year

    Is it too big? Build a model out of cardboard boxes, and put it in the space.


    Sometimes a deal isn't really a deal.

    Terry Hill thanked AnnKH
  • last year

    If you want your fireplace to be the focal point of the room, please don’t put a TV above it. It will rob your attention.


    I like your mock up of them on separate walls.



    How high are your ceilings? What is the view out of the windows? What are your flooring materials? Do you plan to clad or panel the room?


    Your fireplace design needs to be part of the entire room design, not just an element that you add.






    Terry Hill thanked Kendrah
  • last year

    Kendrah,


    The ceilings are about 12' angling up to around 16' at the windows.

    The windows look out over the harbor and the bay.

    The walls are just plain sheetrock, and I am adding this as an afterthought.

    I actually am going to have to fir the entire wall out 2' to accommodate this new fireplace.

    Its just such a big fireplace I don't know if it will overpower the room and what materials would benefit to kind of help it blend.




  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    One focal point per room. IMO having the fireplace on one wall and the TV on the other is distracting. What will you place over the fireplace ?????? art??

    No matter your venting situation heat will escape out of the front of the FP and TVs do not like extra heat.

    Terry Hill thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Beverly the manufacturer of the fireplace states that there are no clearances needed for mounting a TV or mantel above it. There is a little heat on the glass but other than that it seriously doesn't get that hot. It has air that is blown between 2 glass panes that takes all the heat out.

    My initial thought was to have the TV above the fireplace, but my wife was wanting artwork, and I am trying to even figure out if an 8' fireplace is too big for the space?

    I have read that a fireplace can overpower a room and that's the last thing I want.

    the wall its going on is 14' long leaving about 2' clear on either side.

    What do you think would be appropriate as far as finishes or nice features?

  • last year

    Posting a floor plan with dimensions, furniture and architectural finish selections are all step one.

  • last year

    What size is the room?


    Will your furniture be oriented towards the fireplace or the TV on the other wall?


    The ceiling height and views seem vast enough that I can imagine just a fireplace on the wall without art or a tv above it. I’d go for a minimalist look. But when you go minimalist and there is nothing there to distract you really have to nail the scale and height of everything in the room. How will furring the wall 2’ change the proportions of the entire room?


    Take painter’s tape and start taping off the fireplace and tv and seeing what they feel like in the same space.


    If you can coordinate this all to feel puroseful the go for it but just tossing it in as an after thought males this seem lile less of a good deal.

    Terry Hill thanked Kendrah
  • PRO
    last year
    last modified: last year

    Walls for art are not an issue in this space.



    Terry Hill thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • PRO
    last year

    Is this electric or gas , needed for real heating or just ambience . I think the space can handle the FP and if placed well can also have avery large TV above it I garee both in one space is never ideal . I usually design a FP in the space where conversation not TV are the plan and then TV in another space but if both need to be there all on one wall would be my choice . I like beverly's idea with that huge piece of art

    Terry Hill thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • last year

    Patricia,


    This is a huge gas fireplace that has power venting so there is really minimal heat output from it. It is more for ambiance and a focal point of the room

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Kendrah,

    The room is about 22' x22' I will fir one wall out so the new dimensions with the fireplace will be approx. 22x20 =/-

    We were planning on a L shaped sectional that could be looking either way.

    I like the idea of using a cardboard cutout or painters' tape and try and get a feel for the room.

    I am going to do that today when I get to the house.

    I always was planning on a fireplace and as you can see in the pictures there was a wire stubbed out for a electric fireplace.

    When I was shopping around for them, I was less than impressed on the electric fireplace realism and decided to go to gas

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Building out the wall 2 feet for the fireplace may give you some accessible space to add recessed shelving on either side of the fireplace. Or an unobtrusive tall cabinet on the endcap of the wall which can be a good spot for a bit of extra storage.

    Terry Hill thanked Design Fan (NE z7a)
  • last year

    Are you sure about the heat output? I have a linear gas fireplace and it’s really hot above it. I put some artwork above it and it got too hot to leave it there.

    Terry Hill thanked joycedjay
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Design Fan,

    I like the ideas of a tall cabinet and shelving.

    Problem is that the wall is only 14' long and after we put that 8' fireplace in there only leaves a little less than 3' on either side.

    Wondering if that will look funny?

  • last year

    Beverly,


    Thank you for your TV viewing specifications... That is some good information that probably gets overlooked

  • last year

    Maureen,


    Thats great advice. Thank you

  • PRO
    last year

    Since you have to do a build-out for the unit, I would take advantage of creating some interesting recessed areas/niches for art or statues or whatever other kinds of things you may have ( keep it simple and minimal )




    I think the larger fireplace would work well since the room is large.

    It's a bold choice that could turn out beautifully. You could also install it a little higher and do some sort of creative storage below - drawers or ottomans for extra seats...

    Good luck!

    Terry Hill thanked Debbi Washburn
  • last year

    Debbie, thank you for the input, Curious of how you feel about a TV over the fireplace?

  • PRO
    last year

    I am not a fan. I always feel like it is too high and too big. I prefer it lower and over a nice piece of furniture. I like to look directly at the tv, not up to it. You have the perfect space to have a beautiful feature wall with the fireplace and have the tv on the adjacent wall.

    The only thing I don't like is that you have this beautiful view and all of your seating is facing away from it!

    I would take graph paper and draw out the room, then cut out pieces for your furniture and move things around. If the room is 20 ft across after the build out and you put the sofa in front of the windows, that puts it about 16 ft away from the tv and the fireplace. Thats pretty far away. You may want to consider 2 different seating areas - one for tv watching and one for gazing out the windows. Are the windows all installed already or are you still building?

    Here are some ides for 2 seating areas:




    By doing this you don't have to have a monstrous tv since you will be sitting closer and you can have a very comfortable are to relax , chat, read a book, listen to music or just watch the birds fly by.

  • last year

    Direct vented does not mean there’s no heat output - it means the combustion gasses are vented outside.