Why You Shouldn’t Hang the Television Over the Fireplace (in my humble opinion!)
Those of you who know me also know that one of my pet-peeves is hanging a television above a bespoke designed fireplace.
Installing a television over the fireplace may seem like a logical, convenient solution for homeowners who are looking to save some space and also create a cohesive look in their living room. Afterall, there’s a blank space there, so why not use it? Well, this design choice can have several drawbacks that you need to be aware of before you start drilling those holes.
Here’s five good reasons why you shouldn’t hang the television over a fireplace (as well as a compromise).…
Focal point – Design-101 tells us that every room should have one, possibly two focal points, depending upon the size and volume of the space. A focal point is a design feature that the eyes are naturally drawn to and rest upon. It adds to the room’s aesthetics and forms the basis of the ‘wow’ factor. You’ve just spent a small fortune on creating an amazing visual delight by way of a beautiful fireplace, so why would you then want to detract from that feature by fixing a big black, (ugly) television right above it?
Viewing Experience - Hanging the television over the fireplace more often than not means that the viewing height is not at an optimal level. This can lead to neck and eye strain. When I’m bingeing on my favourite Netflix series I want to be as comfortable as possible – having the television at an awkward angle can make it uncomfortable to watch.
Heat Damage - A fireplace generates heat and we all know that heat rises. Logic would tell us that this could be harmful to the television and its components thus lessening its life (maybe that’s a good thing?).
Glare - The television screen can reflect light from the fireplace making it difficult to clearly see the picture on the screen. Apart from this very annoying side effect, glare also causes eye strain!
Lack of Design Flexibility – Once the television is installed over a fireplace, it becomes a permanent fixture. This can limit the design options for the rest of the room, making it difficult to change the décor or update furniture in the future.
And my (very reluctant) compromise....
If your fireplace does not extend fully from floor to ceiling and lends itself to a beautiful piece of artwork being hung above it to balance and finish the space beautifully, you could possibly, at a pinch, if you have to, consider installing an ‘Art Series’ television, beautifully framed in the design style and colour palette of the space (like this Samsung Frame TV pictured). However, please keep in mind all of the pitfalls I’ve outlined above just in case you’re tempted - and make certain that the wall is sufficiently weight-bearing, professionally assessed and installed.
So where should your television be hung?
Unless it’s a home theatre, the very last thing you want when designing your living area is for your television to be the focal point of your room. Consider placing the television on an entertainment unit or wall-mounting it on a flexible bracket. Both of these options allow for better viewing angles, prevent heat damage, and give you more design flexibility. The natural light of the room should be considered as well, to minimise any reflection.
A bespoke wall unit with backlit shelving and cupboard space is also a great place to mount the television without it becoming over-dominant in the space. You’ll be too busy admiring your fabulous joinery to even notice the television. The television could even be hidden behind cupboards within the wall unit.
Installing feature lighting, a fabulous art piece, and/or a bespoke sofa adorned with soft furnishings and throws also deflect from a television’s prominence and I’m sure you would agree, are much nicer elements for your eyes to rest upon!
With the right mix of design elements, you can create a beautiful and functional living room that is a joy to spend time in (even with a big black TV in it!).
- Janine Nairn
Creative Director