In the realm of interior design, the integration of a TV and fireplace has become a hallmark of living rooms. The marriage of these two focal points often comes in the form of a modern fireplace tv wall, which creates a cozy yet contemporary atmosphere. In this blog post, we’ll delve into various aspects of styling a living room with a fireplace and TV, exploring placement, styling tips, and essential considerations.
Space planning for your TV and Fireplace
Choosing the ideal spot for your TV in a living room with a fireplace is crucial, and may not be as straight forward as you think. You want to think about your focal points and intentions for the room before deciding on where furniture will go. Whilst a modern fireplace tv wall seems like the obvious choice, you may have more flexibility than you originally thought if you have a larger space, and you may decide you want to create separate zones for each.
Can You Put a TV on the Same Wall as a Fireplace?
Yes, placing the TV on the same wall as the fireplace is a viable option. This arrangement can enhance the symmetry of the room and streamline the design. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the TV doesn’t overpower the fireplace or vice versa. Achieving a balanced look involves careful consideration of size, placement, and aesthetics.
Key questions to ask yourself:
- How large is your room?
- How large is your fireplace? How tall?
- Is this the room where you will mostly watch tv?
- How often are you likely to use the fireplace?
- Will the room be used for anything else? WFH, kids playroom, dining room?
- How often are you likely to have guests over and what will you use the room for then?
Striking a balance between functionality and aesthetics is key. Many will put the TV on the same wall as their fireplace, because that is where they want their sofa to face – and frankly that may be the only option, particularly if you are in a smaller living room. But if you have a multi-functional space, for example you have a small dining area in the same room, you’re using the space as a home library/occasional office or your kids are using the room as a playroom, then you may want to think about what your focal points are and how to create separate zones for each.
For example, you may want to place the dining table next to the fireplace, if your young children are also using the space you may want to zone off the area around the fireplace with armchairs instead, to create an ‘adults only’ space. A fireplace is also a wonderful place to curl up with a good book, so you may want to create a reading area out of the wall of the fireplace, with the TV on an adjacent wall.
But some may not have the luxury of a large, multi-functional space, and some may prefer to have the fireplace and tv as the two focal points of the room, This can either look like a TV above the fireplace, or one to the right or left of the fireplace, creating a modern fireplace tv wall. Making this decision will once again depend on the space.
When to have a tv next to your fireplace: You’ll see TV placement in Victorian Living rooms often being in one of the chimney alcoves to the left or right of the fireplace, rather than above the television. Why, you ask? Well having a TV above a fireplace often makes for uncomfortable viewing, if this means putting a TV too high up. If you have a smaller room, and a taller fireplace, a TV above the fireplace is sure to result in a painful neck pretty quickly.
You may hear that having a tilting tv mount may help this, but from what I’ve heard it is not particularly useful. What you can do is invest on an moving tv mount, which swings down (partially over the fireplace) when you want to watch the television, and then swings back into place above the fireplace when you’re done. However, this of course means that you should never watch tv whilst the fireplace is on – so take that as you will.
When to have a tv above your fireplace: If you have a larger living room, and a short, low fireplace then you can still have a tv above the fireplace without resulting in neck pain! This is because you will be able to sit further away from the television, and that the television will be lower down which means less need to tilt your neck upward for extended periods of time.
How to style a modern fireplace tv wall
How to style a living room with a fireplace above a tv
Firstly – our most common question: Can TV Over Fireplace Be Bigger Than Fireplace?While there are no strict rules, maintaining proportionality is key. A TV that is significantly larger than the fireplace can create a visual imbalance and look misplaced / odd. You should aim for a harmonious look by selecting a TV that is either the same size or smaller than the fireplace alcove itself – meaning it should definitely not be the same size as the chimney breast (nor bigger!).
If you are stuck with a tv that is slightly bigger than the fireplace, and you want more tips on how to style that TV, you may be able to find some inspiration from my blog post on tv bigger than stand, which contains a few tricks for creating a sense of proportionality on a budget.
Now, if your TV is the perfect sizing, there are still a couple of tricks to put in place to make the look of a TV more cohesive because, let’s admit it they’re not the most attractive of household items and they can be tricky to dress up!
Wall mouldings
Adding wall mouldings to your modern fireplace tv wall takes the tv from an eyesore to a work of art. You see, art pieces and frames are usually placed within the squares of a wall moulding, so this little trick instantly makes the viewer think that they are looking at something far more beautiful than a blank TV screen. This is even more impactful if you have a frame style TV such as ‘The Frame’ from Samsung.
Using this trick is relatively easy to implement, and depending on the style you want (and the size you need) can even be done by sticking cheap Ikea poster frames to the wall with hot glue – you’ll be able to find plenty of youtube videos to show you how this is done. Mouldings also create a zoning effect for your fireplace & tv wall, which is key in making the space look more elegant.
Colour Blocking
Similar to the wall mouldings, colour blocking helps to create ‘zones’, through colour, for the eye to digest, making everything seem far more organised and cohesive. Most often we see a darker colour being used on the modern fireplace tv wall, which helps the black of the turned off tv screen blend into the room more seamlessly. However, many also use darker colours in the chimney breast alcoves to wonderful effect. (p.s, if you’re looking for ideas on how to style your chimney breast alcoves I have a full guide here)
Feature Wall
Creating a feature wall out of your modern fireplace tv wall is a great way to go – as you’ve made this the focal point of your room you may as well show it off! This can be through the use of a different material on that wall, such as wood panelling, exposed brick or even marble, depending on your personal style and the materials and architecture of the room itself.
I love the idea of matching shelving with complementary decor placed on your feature wall too! A symmetrical layout often works well, with built-in shelving on either side of the fireplace, however asymmetrical designs are making their mark in more modern interior designs, so do whatever works best for your space.
How to style a TV next to a fireplace
If you feel like a TV next to the wall suits your space better, you will approach styling it differently. This is because you have two separate focal points along the wall, one which you may want to make into the stand-out feature (typically the fireplace) and one which you want to blend in seamlessly into the background (typically the television!). When designing a modern fireplace tv wall it is essential you choose clean designs that are appropriate for the architecture of your home, and your existing styling.
Built-in shelving
Adding built in shelving around the fireplace is a relatively common interior design practice, and helps the space to look more appealing, whilst being handy for storing things like wood for your fire, your tv unit and your gorgeous ornaments and books. Again, a darker background for your shelving works particularly well in making your television blend into the background better, for a more harmonious feel. Just remember to measure your television prior to building the shelving to ensure everything fits in perfectly!
Blended feature wall
A blended feature wall is an excellent option for a modern fireplace tv wall – opting for natural materials works particularly well as it juxtaposes against the plastic, manmade materials of the television. Things like natural wood panelling, or darker natural stone can work particularly well here – and will work particularly well if the fireplace surround is in a visually different material, helping to make it stand out whilst the tv blends in.
Alcove Zoning
Creating two ‘zones’ out of your alcoves – one for tv and the other for working, or reading, can help to reduce any imbalances that would have come from just having the tv on one side. This is often cheaper than getting built-in shelving made, and helps to create a multi-functional space out of your modern tv wall that has plenty of visual interest.
Closed media unit
If you’re opting for built-ins, and you have the space, you may want to have chic doors over the shelving, essentially hiding your tv when it’s not in use. This is perhaps the easiest option for a modern fireplace tv wall, as it takes a lot of the thought out of the interior design. For a beautifully modern minimalist look, you can find doors that match the material and colour of the walls to create hidden storage. This is also wonderful for storing items that you don’t want your guests to see!
How to safety guard a modern fireplace tv wall
If you are opting for a modern fireplace tv wall, one of the first questions you will have is ‘How Can I Protect My TV from the Heat?‘
Fireplaces generate heat, and although you can purchase modern televisions that have been built to withstand certain temperatures, you’ll want to minimize the amount of heat reaching the television either way. It is important to note that even with the most advanced television and heat shielding tricks, your television will likely still have a shorter lifespan than a television that was placed somewhere else. This may mean that it will need to be replaced a year earlier than you typically would replace your TV, which may or may not be a big deal depending on your tastes and finances!
Regardless, here are our top tips for protecting your tv from heat:
1. Install a mantelpiece
2. Recess the TV into the chimney
3. Create a custom frame to recess the TV into
4. Invest in a heat resistant panel
5. Upgrade your fireplace with a built-in heat shield
How Do You Hide TV Wires in the Wall Behind the Fireplace?
A clean and clutter-free look is essential when integrating a TV and fireplace, particularly in modern fireplace tv wall designs. Concealing wires on a modern fireplace tv wall will often be done quite seamlessly if your television is recessed into the chimmney by a professional. If you are using a wall mount on the exterior of the chimney, a seamless look can be achieved by using in-wall cable management systems or by hiring a professional to install outlets and conduits behind the wall.
If you have built in shelves you can also add cable holes to the inner side of the shelves to feed through and hold the wires, without leaving them bare and messy hanging down the side of the wall.
How to measure TV over fireplace
- How Big Should TV Be Over Fireplace?
Choosing the right TV size is crucial for a balanced and visually appealing setup. Consider the dimensions of your fireplace and the viewing distance from the seating area. A general rule of thumb is to select a TV that is proportionate (eg the same size or slightly smaller than) to the size of the fireplace and provides an immersive viewing experience.
- How High Should TV Be Mounted Over Fireplace?
Proper TV placement is essential for comfortable viewing when it comes to a modern fireplace tv wall. Ideally, the center of the screen should be at eye level when seated. When mounting the TV above the fireplace, ensure that it is positioned at a height that allows for comfortable viewing without straining the neck, the further back you can sit, the higher the tv will be able to be.
Top 10 tips for a Modern Fireplace TV Wall
Top 10 Tips for Modern Fireplace TV Wall:
- Determine the optimal placement for your TV based on your room layout and preferences.
- Create a cohesive design by coordinating colors and furniture placement around the fireplace and TV.
- Explore different styling options, whether mounting the TV above the fireplace or placing it adjacent.
- Ensure a balanced look when placing the TV on the same wall as the fireplace.
- Protect your TV from heat by using a mantel, heat-resistant panel, or a fireplace with a built-in heat shield.
- Hide TV wires for a clean and clutter-free appearance using in-wall cable management systems.
- Choose a TV size that is proportionate to the fireplace and provides an immersive viewing experience.
- Mount the TV at a height that allows for comfortable viewing from the seating area.
- Aim for proportionality when selecting a TV size, avoiding a significant size difference with the fireplace.
- Personalize your fireplace TV wall with accessories such as artwork, decorative elements, or integrated shelving.
In summary, achieving a modern fireplace TV wall involves careful planning and consideration of various factors. From optimal placement and styling tips to wire management and TV size, these elements collectively contribute to a seamlessly integrated and visually appealing living space.