Many people enjoy having a fireplace in the living room, but it often presents a conundrum: where should the TV go?

The TV is often the focal point of the living room. But what if you want the fireplace to be the focal point? And what if you want to enjoy both at the same time?

It’s important to get the TV placement right in order to enjoy the right balance of functionality and aesthetics.

In this guide, we take a detailed look at different fireplace and TV placement combinations so you can integrate both into your room in the way that suits you best.

TV Placement in a Room with a Fireplace: Key Considerations

First, let’s take a look at the most important considerations, which will have a direct impact on the options available to you:

• Available Space – You will have more options for the placement of your TV if you have a larger living room.
• Room Shape – Some rooms with odd shapes may restrict the TV placement options available for you.
• Fireplace Type – There are far fewer options available if you have a log fire with a chimney because this will be set in one position. Even a gas fire with a flue can be quite restrictive. A bioethanol fire, on the other hand, can be positioned almost anywhere, giving you far greater freedom.
• Viewing Angle – You want the TV to be in a practical position so you can watch it without suffering from neck strain, so don’t only think about the aesthetics.
• Fireplace Heat – If your fireplace gets very hot, it can damage the TV if you position it too near, and this can even be a safety issue.

Top TV Placement Ideas for a Room with a Fireplace

With these considerations in mind, here are some ideas for where to position the TV and fireplace that might work in your living room:

1. Concealed TV above the fireplace

One of the first places most people think of positioning the TV is above the fireplace, which allows you to watch TV at the same time as you enjoy the warmth of the fire.

This has the additional benefit of maximising the available space in your room, which is ideal in smaller living rooms. The downside is that it can lead to neck strain if the viewing angle is too high.

Also, depending on the fireplace you have, the heat can damage the TV if it is too close. As such, you may need to use a fireplace mantle to redirect heat away from the TV.

If you go for this option, you may want to cover up the TV when you are not watching it so that it looks more aesthetic.

One option is to use mechanised panels that you can control remotely. These can go up and down to hide the screen when you’re not using it.

Alternatively, you could set the TV into a recess, then cover it up with folding doors when you’re not watching it.

Your TV may even have an art mode, which can provide a simple solution. When you turn this on, the TV screen displays a work of art or something similar that helps to disguise the screen when you are not watching it.

2. TV beside the fireplace in a feature wall

Another fairly conventional position for the TV is beside the fireplace on the same wall. To make this work, you might want to create a feature wall to balance both elements and give it a modern and unified appearance.

This could involve surrounding the TV with built-in shelving or cabinets for a more integrated design and a seamless appearance, which also has the benefit of providing you with extra storage and display space.

3. TV and fireplace in the corner

A less common TV placement option is to position both the TV and the fireplace in the corner of the room, instead of having the TV above the fire on a flat wall.

With this option, both are positioned at an angle, creating a more unusual appearance. But it can be a good way to maximise space in smaller rooms or rooms with awkward shapes.

It also creates an interesting visual element and a more dynamic appearance, and you can make use of space that would otherwise remain unused.

4. Mount the TV on a swivel arm

Whether you have the TV in the corner or on a flat wall surface, you might want to mount it on a swivel arm.

You can then position it near the fireplace and simply move it when you want to watch it, so you can direct the screen towards where you are sitting. By angling it toward the seating area when you want to watch it, you can increase viewing comfort, then push it back against the wall when you are not watching it.

5. Double-sided central fireplace

If you’re looking for something more dramatic, a double-sided fireplace can be a good option. This can work well in a larger living room with a central pillar, where the fireplace can be enjoyed from both sides while the TV can go above it.

This is a good way to unite two living spaces, and you can enjoy the fire on its own from one side, or enjoy both the fire with the TV on the other.

6. Freestanding fireplace

A freestanding fireplace provides you with the greatest amount of freedom because you can simply move it when it suits you.

You can position the TV in the most comfortable position for you, whether up on the wall or on a TV stand, then move the fireplace to wherever you want it to be.

You can even take the fireplace out of the living room during the summer months and bring it back in the winter.

7. Use a moveable TV

The alternative to a freestanding fireplace is to have a moveable TV. With this option, you can make the fireplace the central focus of the room, then roll out the TV on its stand when you want to watch it.

This can work well in open-plan living rooms where you regularly want to change the focal point of the room.

8. TV and fireplace on opposite walls

You could also position the TV and fireplace on opposite walls in your living room. This has the benefit of creating two entirely different zones in your room, one for watching TV and one for relaxing. It’s usually a better option in larger rooms where you want to balance the space.

9. TV perpendicular to fireplace

If you position your TV at a 90-degree angle to the fireplace on two corner walls, you can enjoy the warmth from the fire while you watch TV.

With this setup, getting the furniture placement right is important. One of the best options is to position a sectional sofa in the corner of the room with one side facing the TV and one side facing the fire.

This ensures a comfortable viewing experience when watching TV, and you can simply move to the other side of the sofa if you want to focus on the fireplace instead.

Choose the Perfect Position for Your TV and Fireplace

If you want a TV and a fireplace in your room, it’s easy to enjoy both. There are many different placement options, so start with the ideas above.

If you are still choosing a fireplace, consider which type of fireplace would work best for the TV placement you prefer. If you’re still not sure, a more flexible option like a bioethanol fireplace may be more suitable because you can move it around more easily and position it on another wall if you want to change the design of your living room.

Then create the perfect layout for your living room that allows you to enjoy the best combination of comfort and aesthetics.