Where to place TV in living room?

10 years ago

I am building a lakehouse and the family room is 21x21. The stone fireplace is on the center of a 21 foot wall, and will have built ins on either side. I had planned on placing the TV on one side of the fireplace, but I need seating for 10, and the couch on the TV side would not be able to see the TV. It looks like hanging the TV over the fireplace provides the best place for TV viewing. My husband wants a raised hearth, but I don't want the TV so high that it makes viewing uncomfortable. What is the lowest distance from the floor to the bottom of the TV, with the raised hearth and mantle? Thank you.

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PRO

Tekkease

10 years ago

well your suggested mounting height of 5'6" would work for placing the display above the fireplace based on the viewing distance you provided. In my professional opinion this would be the best placement for room symmetry and viewing for all parties.

If you are still wanting to mount display in built in on either side of fireplace this is also an option but you will require a cantilever arm so you can pull TV out when you want to watch. Some of our clients have opted for automated arm mounts so that when the system is turned on the TV motorizes out to viewing angle, and when system is off it motorizes back into the cabinet. Some people don't like to mess with pulling it in and out every time they watch TV, and don't like cleaning hand smudges every week from everyones hands gripping the TV to do so. Just my thought...

Please feel free to view our Houzz page or contact me directly for any more professional advice. Best of luck!

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Comments (24)

sunnydrew
10 years ago
TV over the fireplace is not good viewing. With a raised hearth it is even worse. Do not do that or you will end up with a bad neck.
sunnydrew
10 years ago
You should consult with the architect and designer before building where the TV will be. now is the time not later.
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Will the radiator be an issue if you want to put TV to left of fireplace? Though it is a more prominent position, you could put the TV over to the right of the fireplace. Back to the window is better as regards glare on the screen if you are watching it during the day time. I would put your sofa in the middle of the room facing the fireplace. then I would put an armchair with its back to the window pointing in towards the sofa. This can be pulled sort of in front of the TV/ forward from the TV which will push the TV into the background and demonstrate that it is not your dominant feature. When you do want to watch TV you can push the armchair over a bit so you can see the TV from the sofa. Alternatively, put the TV with its back to the wall around where the mirror is leaning in your picture. And use houseology's great TV unit on castors idea whichever side you choose! Simple yet genius as you can push the TV right into the corner out of the way when not using - might use that one myself.
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PRO
Tekkease
10 years ago
In my professional opinion the TV over the fireplace will be the best for viewing angle and room symmetry. TV height is dependent on viewing distance and size of display, but based on a room that size I would recommend a 65" display or larger and a mounting height of around 5'. Mounting height is depicted from bottom of display.

Also keep in mind if you are planning on installing your source equipment in the built-in's make sure to have a useable depth of 24" or larger.
PRO
Diane Kremer, ASID CID
10 years ago
With a raised hearth, no way TV should be above the fireplace. Way too high. Center of TV should be at the same level as your eyes while seating on the sofa. Best viewing angle.
rhondakucera
Original Author
10 years ago
I agree with Tekkease that the best place for the majority of people to view the TV would be over the fireplace because it's in the center of the room. But with the raised hearth, and having a mantle, I could not mount the TV 5 feet off the floor. I think it would be closer to 5'6". With 21 foot room, I have room to have almost all the U-shaped seating at least 10 feet from the TV. Do you think that is too high to be comfortable? On a daily basis, it will only be my husband and I watching TV, and we can be 12-15 feet away easily. As empty nesters, it's only on rare occasions will we have more people watching TV with us. Based on my room, can you suggest the best place for TV placement if I don't place it over the fireplace, and I want as many people to be able to see the TV as possible? I will be buying new furniture, so I am flexible on room arrangement. Thank you.
lefty47
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
HI -- Hang the TV to the side ,mounted on an articulating swivel bracket - then the TV can be turned and tilted for viewing .
rhondakucera
Original Author
10 years ago
Based on the advice I've gotten, I realize my TV/fireplace combo won't work. That said, if I mount the TV to the side of the fireplace, can that bracket also pull out, away from the wall? If so, would that be better than having the TV placed on a pull out, swivel base inside the entertainment cabinet built in, which was my original plan.
PRO
Digital Home LLC
10 years ago
Another option if you really like the TV over the fireplace is to do the art tv or mirror tv option
rhondakucera
Original Author
10 years ago
We took everyone's advice, and will be placing the TV in a cabinet beside the fireplace. After just returning from staying in a vacation home that had a raised hearth, and TV mounted above the fireplace, we've been convinced that set-up is way too high for viewing comfort. We all ended up with headaches from watching TV at that angles. Thanks to everyone for their advice.
PRO
Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP
10 years ago
Have you considered an automated projector and screen that comes down for viewing and disappears the rest of the time?
rhondakucera
Original Author
10 years ago
No. This room has a very tall wood-covered, vaulted ceiling with wood beams. It seems that putting the TV in a cabinet on a pull-out swivel tray, with all that hidden behind pocket doors, will look best with the homey-lake feel we are wanting to create. Thank you.
PRO
Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP
10 years ago
got it. it sounds like a great place to relax! enjoy. :)
rhondakucera thanked Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP
lsc62
10 years ago
We are having the exact same design problem with a vacation home we are building. We do not want the TV to be over the fireplace because we want the focus to be on the beautiful stone work and roaring fireplace, not a TV. We have opted to have a custom built- in to the right of the fireplace and put the TV on TV mount which will allow the TV to be pulled out and rotated so that people seated to the left of the fireplace can view it. We put swivel club chairs near the TV side, so they can flip around and watch. We were going to build a free standing cabinet, but have now decided to build a built it, which will be bolted to the wall, but look like a free standing cabinet with pocket doors to hide the TV when not in use. I am still worried about finger prints and one more moving part to break down, but feel like this will be the best compromise. Would love to compare photos of our finished products.
sunnydrew
10 years ago
thank you both for deciding to not use the above-fireplace for your TV. You may want to consider add a folding cabinet door to any built ins to hide the TV. It really does make the room nicer if the "big black rectangle" is not in plain view when off.
decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
What is right of the TV?
lsc62
10 years ago
end of the room. Just have 60 inches of wall space on either side of the fireplace
rhondakucera
Original Author
10 years ago
Isc62 - your room sounds like ours. We are doing the same things you are, except may just put TV on pull out swivel, rather than mount. Am also doing barrel chairs on the TV side for better viewing, when needed. What is the rest of your furniture pieces in that room?
lsc62
10 years ago
I have a sofa facing and centered with the fireplace, two swivel club chairs on the side with the TV, two barrel chairs on the opposite side of the swivel chairs, two upholstered stools tucked under the desk (which is to the left of the fireplace), and an upholstered coffee table. That arrangement seats 7 very comfortably and then a few more can be perched on the stools. The great room opens to the dining space and then the kitchen beyond, so I figure in a real pinch we can pull up some of the dining chairs.
We opted for not putting the TV on a pull out swivel because I was worried about it falling as someone pulled it out and twisted it around...mostly our young adult children! Hope this helps.
rhondakucera thanked lsc62
sunnydrew
10 years ago
I think the Tv's can be bolted to the swivels for safety.
PRO
TVCoverUps
10 years ago
Something you may want to consider is TVCoverUps. Framed art(including your own) or panel adds to the room's decor, with the hidden TV and Entertainment Consoles beneath.
See how EASY it really is:
rhondakucera
Original Author
10 years ago
I think that is a great look when TV's are not being placed in a built in cabinet, like these photos with TV's placed over the fireplace. With ours being inside a built in cabinet, it's not necessary to frame the TV. I will keep this in mind for our bedroom fireplace idea though. Thank you.
PRO
ShowHouse home & garden
10 years ago
What type of hinge is used? Love the fact that there is a mounting bracket that can make the TV lower! Who makes that device please?
PRO
C to C Tile
10 years ago
I think having a sectional couch will be a good choice with the seating. If you decide to mount the TV in the corner on a swivel, you will not only still be able to see it from wherever you are sitting but it won't take away from that beautiful fireplace. Quick question for you - would it be possible to put the TV on the wall at the top of the floor plan? Couldn't read the top section clearly. Hope we are all helping you out.

Where to place TV in living room?

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