Good-Better-Best design ideas for combining electric fireplaces and TVs at all price points
One of the great advantages of electric fireplaces is that they are zero-clearance, and may be incorporated into furniture pieces and all types of wall materials. This offers lots of design versatility. It has also led to a category of media cabinets that incorporate fireplaces. These TV stands come in all shapes and sizes, and there are pros and cons to using them.
Advantages of TV stands with fireplaces:
- Convenient – no construction required
- Portable – take it with you when you move, or shift it to another room
- Inexpensive – budget-friendly options available for assembly at home
Disadvantages of TV stands with fireplaces:
- Too deep – most are made to accommodate electronic equipment, whether you need it or not
- Wrong style – finishes and styles are limited and may not match your décor
- Fireplace too small – storage is prioritized so the fireplace is usually much smaller than the TV
If you haven’t been able to find a TV stand with fireplace that really fits your needs, you’re not alone. We have a few better wall design ideas that can incorporate an electric fireplace and TV, at all budget levels.
Wall design ideas by price range
Built-in wall unit with fireplace
Price Range: $$$
Benefits: This is one of the most flexible options for putting your TV above the fireplace. A built-in wall unit becomes a permanent fixture in the room, and can incorporate more than just the fireplace and TV. This option allows you to add display space, as well, using the walls around the TV for bookcases or floating shelves. If you are in your ‘forever’ home, investing in a built-in wall unit may offer more versatility, and can make a design statement in the room. Custom cabinetry may be finished in any colour, and is sized to suit your space and your stuff. It’s a great option if you have extra-high ceilings, and furniture cabinets just aren’t tall enough to look good in your home. Best of all, custom cabinets are built off-site, in a cabinet shop, and are brought to your home finished. This minimizes dust and mess at installation time. The price of built-in cabinets will vary greatly, depending on the quality of the materials, and the hardware. European soft-close hinges and drawer glides, for instance, cost more than regular hinges. Wood or good-quality MDF cost more than melamine. There are lots of ways to customize the cabinet, and the budget.
Built-in fireplace wall with TV
Price Range: $$$
Benefits: For those who like the idea of committing to a built-in solution for the TV and fireplace, but want to add stone or brick, with or without the cabinetry, you may want to build out a wall for the fireplace. Then, the TV may be mounted on the wall above, or you can create a TV niche, so the TV sits flush with the wall and the fireplace. This is the most custom wall design idea of all, because you have full choice of materials. If you need storage, you can add custom cabinets at the sides of the fireplace wall, or just add floating shelves on either side. Like the built-in cabinets, above, this option takes the emphasis off the TV and puts it on the design elements that bring the room together.
Custom media cabinet with electric fireplace
Price Range: $$
Benefits: If you like the idea of a media cabinet with storage, but are not fond of the typical ready-to-assemble TV stand with fireplace, you may want to consider a custom media cabinet. While it will cost a little more than the ready-made variety, it will also be made to your exact specifications. You can choose the size, the depth, the amount of storage, and the finish colour. Best of all, you can also build the cabinet around an electric fireplace that you love, and one that balances your preferred TV size. As it’s a piece of furniture, and not built-in, you still have the advantage of moving it or taking it with you to another home.
Wall-mounted electric fireplace with TV above
Price Range: $
There are many electric fireplaces that may be mounted on the wall, without complicated construction. A wall-hung fireplace is generally linear in style, so it comes in widths that nicely balance popular TV sizes, from 34 inches up to 100 inches. Linear electric fireplaces are also the slimmest models, with depths as low as 4 to 6 inches. This means that they will not project out from the wall by much more than your wall-mounted TV.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces will come with a mounting bracket that attaches to the wall, and the bracket will cross several wall studs. Once the bracket is secure, simply hang the fireplace on the bracket and plug it in. You can finish off your installation with a mantel ledge between the fireplace and the TV, or keep it simple and skip the mantel.
Hanging your TV above a wall-mounted fireplace is a great option if you no long have other electronics, like a cable box, to attach to the TV. If you still have cable, or gaming consoles, you may prefer a cabinet option, with storage. Or, you can add a cabinet nearby.
Amantii Pedestal cabinet for electric fireplaces
Price Range: $
Sometimes, it’s possible to take an existing furniture piece, and turn it into a TV stand with fireplace. Such is the case with the pedestal cabinets that are made to fit some of Amantii’s electric fireplaces. This is a simple metal cabinet, ready-to-assemble, with space for one of their fireplaces, and an open area below the fireplace. You can style the open cubby with real logs, or use it for electronics, books, or anything else you want. It’s a stylish, inexpensive option that is offered on a limited number of Amantii electric fireplaces.
Installation tips for electric fireplaces with TVs above
Our pros have a few tips to keep in mind as you review ideas for your wall design:
- Not all electric fireplaces lend themselves to installation in a furniture cabinet. Look for fireplaces that slide into the cabinet from the front.
- Be sure that the heat blows out from the front of the fireplace and not from the top, to avoid damage to the TV above.
- If you don’t want to see the electrical cord below a wall-mounted fireplace, have the fireplace direct-wired by a professional electrician.
Summary: Wall Design Ideas that are Better than a TV Stand with Fireplace
- Electric fireplaces make it easy to design a cabinet or wall around them because they are zero-clearance.
- While TV stands with electric fireplaces are convenient, they have lots of disadvantages
- There are wall design ideas at all budget levels, combining electric fireplaces and TVs.
- The smaller the budget, the more limited your wall design options will be.
- The larger the budget, the more flexible and customized your wall design options will be.