For our April color and technology issue, we asked local professionals their opinion on TVs mounted over the fireplace. Is it a classic or a craze? Here’s what they had to say…
Classic
“Placing a TV above the fireplace seems to be a trend with a lot of staying power. It has been, and continues to be, the first place people look to when adding a TV to the family’s main gathering area. It is centrally located and out of the way and with the slim bezels and thin profiles of current TVs, it provides a clean, modern, techy look. Just make sure you have the necessary cables in place to allow for future video component upgrades. That is never easy to do after the fact.” Aaron Walbrandt, Walbrandt Technology.
“I definitely feel that TVs over the fireplace are classic and are here to stay for the foreseeable future. TVs continue to get thinner and more cosmetically appealing, plus home automation and RF remote controls are making it simple to keep the rest of the equipment out of sight in a closet or basement, helping create an aesthetically appealing space. For that customer who is very conscious about the look and cannot fathom having an ugly piece of electronics in their room, we offer Vanishing Entertainment TV mirrors that look like a designer mirror when off and have an incredible TV picture when turned on. The customer even has over 100 frame choices to choose from.” Kirk D Faubel, Creative Audio Video and Automation.
“TVs over the fireplace are classic in my opinion. It seems like in the past it was considered a bit gauche. But in reality, for practical reasons it just works! Our living rooms have transitioned into open family rooms near the kitchen. Most people are juggling multiple tasks at once; it's comforting to watch the television while cooking dinner. Imagine if you will, coming home from work, the house is cold, so you turn on the fireplace, and television and start dinner. It's also very romantic to have a fire while watching a movie. If you still can't get over the idea, there are so many ways to conceal the TV when not in use. Having one focal point in any given room is paramount in my opinion.” Joni Spear, Joni Spear Interior Design.
“Placing a television above a fireplace is a new classic! The fireplace is typically the focal point of the room, so it is natural for the television to be nearby, as the eye is drawn to that area anyway. Pairing together these two focal points makes furniture arranging much easier than if one's attention is divided between them. Also, worries about an ugly TV ruining the look of the room no longer need be considered as there are plenty of new and innovative ways to recess, frame and disguise it. In addition, the new TVs can fool your guests into thinking you have a new piece of art or a mirror above your fireplace! Overall, placing a TV over the fireplace is a classic that combines the best of comfort, function and style.” Kristin Kisling McGrath, JCR Design Group.
Craze
“Craze! Placing a TV above the fireplace seems to be a ‘where else would we put it?’ thing rather than a ‘this is the perfect spot’ scenario. My clients only do this when the room dimensions don’t provide for better option. Most feel that the TV is too high for optimal viewing, but there it is anyway! There can also be a concern with heat damaging the TV depending on what kind of fire you have. I try in each instance to find a better solution if at all possible. With the enclosed, vent-free fireplaces that can fit anywhere and come in many shapes and sizes being used more, I’m hoping we will see fewer TVs above the traditional fireplace.” Marcia Moore, Marcia Moore Design.
“This is hard for me to call a classic or a craze. I’d rather call it ‘expedient.’ It is a common approach to solve the problem of two competing focal points. But two challenges still remain… First, there is the concern of overheating the TV when both the fireplace and TV are on at the same time. Second, clients tell us they tire of wrenching their necks to view a TV that is mounted too high for optimal viewing. If budget allows for a reconfiguration, the fireplace can be placed above a TV for a very modern look, or to the side of the TV where there is sufficient wall space. As we learn to live with flat screens, we are seeing new configurations, especially in new-build homes. But the new ways may be only for a moment.” Dana King, Next Project Studio.
