Fireplaces & TVs: 4 Things You’re Doing Wrong

How to avoid the four most common mistakes when pairing TVs and fireplaces

Finding balance in a room that has both a television and a fireplace is a common dilemma in many households, for good reason. In most rooms, the fireplace is positioned to be the focal point, often in the centre of the longest wall. If there were no TV to consider, furniture placement would be relatively simple – gather around the fireplace. But throw in a TV, and room arrangements become much more complex, as both the TV and the fireplace need to be the centre of attention.

The 2 biggest concerns when pairing your TV with a fireplace

Ever since the flat-screen TV was invented, the simplest solution has been to place the TV above the fireplace. There are 2 main concerns with this idea:

• The heat from a wood-burning or gas fireplace is too intense for some TV’s
• The mantel on the existing fireplace is likely too high to allow comfortable viewing of the TV above

Fortunately, these issues only apply to wood- or gas-burning fireplaces, because the mantel is necessary to divert the heat from the TV, and it needs to be high enough to meet clearance requirements of the fireplace below.

Switching to an electric fireplace is a game-changer

If you replace your gas- or wood-burning fire with an electric fireplace, you can stop worrying about heat damaging your TV. At 5000 BTU’s or less, the heat output of an electric fireplace will not damage a TV or other electronics above it, especially since better electric fireplaces blow heat straight out the front and not up at the TV. Since the flame effect of an electric fireplace is created without burning any fuel, there are no clearance issues for fireplace surrounds or TVs. As a result, you don’t need a mantel, or you may place the mantel low enough to allow comfortable TV watching.

A word about fireplace shape – Square vs. Linear fireplaces

You may have noticed that you most often see a longer, more rectangular fireplace shape below TVs. We refer to this as a linear fireplace. These fireplaces come in sizes that align with TV sizes, from 36-inches to 100-inches wide, which makes them easy to partner with TVs. However, it is possible to put a fireplace above a more traditional square fireplace, if you keep in mind the issues that may be created in terms of fireplace size and height of the TV.

Below, we’re sharing the four most common pitfalls to avoid when putting a TV and fireplace together.

Problem #1: Your fireplace is too small

As TV prices drop, larger TVs become available for the same price as smaller TVs. As a result, 65-inches is the new 55, and 75-inches is the new 65. As the TV grows, so must the fireplace get larger. Because TVs are measured diagonally, and fireplaces are measured straight across, it can be tricky to match fireplace size to TV size. So, we’ve created a simple chart showing the best fireplace size to match your TV size.

TIP: If your TV is being mounted directly above the fireplace, make sure your fireplace is a little wider than your TV, so the TV doesn’t look top-heavy.

Problem #2: Your TV is too high

When designing a fireplace wall with TV above, the goal is to make sure that your TV will be at a comfortable viewing height. The mantel above a traditional wood-burning or gas fireplace is typically 48-inches or more off the floor. If you put a TV above that mantel, it will have you craning your neck to see it in the average-size room. If you are keeping your wood or gas fireplace, then you may want to consider placing the TV off to one side, and not above the mantel.  However, if you convert your wood or gas fireplace to electric, you can lower the mantel or choose a linear electric fireplace, which doesn’t require a mantel. This will allow you to place the TV at better height for viewing.

TIP: The bottom of your TV should be no more than 42″ off the floor in an average room.

Problem #3: Your fireplace and TV are out of balance

If you follow the handy table shared in #1 above, your TV and fireplace should be balanced when placed one above the other. If for some reason your fireplace is not as wide as the TV, you will need to find another way to balance out the TV above. For example, a traditional square fireplace could have a surround which is itself larger than the TV. Placing your TV offset with the fireplace, rather than directly above it, creates a different challenge. The relative size of the 2 pieces is still important, but you also need to consider the distance between them, as well as nearby furnishings or cabinets.

TIP: If your fireplace and TV are offset, think of them like opposite sides on a teeter-totter — a smaller fireplace will need some help from the surrounding materials to balance out the visual weight of a larger TV.

Problem #4: Your TV components are creating a monster

Nothing ruins the look of a lovely fireplace faster than a mass of cables dangling from the TV above. Think about the peripherals ahead of time. Build a niche in the wall, add cabinetry to the side of the fireplace, or create a custom fireplace cabinet that has space for the equipment that attaches to your TV, while hiding the cables. 

TIP: Make sure the fireplace wall is created with both fireplaces and electronics in mind.

Summary: How to Avoid Common Mistakes with Fireplaces & TVs

1. Make sure the fireplace is as wide or wider than the TV
2. Mount your TV at a comfortable viewing height
3. Balance the TV and fireplace.
4. Control your cables and wires.