To TV with a fireplace, or not to TV with a fireplace? That is the question.

However, with new technologies available which disperse heat evenly in specific directions as well as automatic safety shutoff for overheating, many gas fireplaces can now safely have a TV close to them, resulting in a dual-purpose entertainment centre that becomes a room's visual centrepiece. In fact, you can mount a TV on every gas fireplace of ours, with a minimum clearance of 300mm. 

The question then becomes a matter of where you place the TV in accordance with your fireplace.  We explore a few options here to help you make right the choice!

Stacked

This is a common choice for many, especially for smaller rooms that don’t have a lot of wall space. Positioning the two appliances together will also draw your eye to one focal spot, so you can view the beauty of the flames of your fireplace and the TV at the same time.  Consider viewing height when placing a television. Ideally, televisions should be set at the eye level for optimum viewing pleasure, but unless you have a very low mantel, this placement probably won't be possible. So double-check the angle by sitting on the couch and viewing the TV from this position. If you experience neck strain, consider placing the TV somewhere else. Or try using a mounting system so you can tilt the TV to improve viewing angles.

Side by side

A newly trending design look is a side-by-side fireplace and TV configuration. When opting for this, make sure you consider the balance of the room, ensuring you place furniture or objects on either side of both the TV and fireplace so that the room feels symmetrical.

Having the TV side by side to the fireplace also reduces the focal point competition of both objects, limiting the challenge of creating a functional furniture arrangement that incorporates both. In this setup, we recommend placing your TV on a piece of media furniture next to the fireplace or mounting your TV to the wall. Placing a fireplace to the side of the TV also visually lengthens the room, so this is a great option if you are looking to create the illusion of more space.

Freestanding

The nature of a freestanding fire actually means you are not allowed to put a TV above it as the flue may be an obstruction. If you do purchase a freestanding fireplace, you can position it to the side – either wall mounted, perched on the hearth, or sitting on a cabinet.

An exposed flue will visually heighten the room and with the TV placed next to it, at a height, you will create a pleasing, aesthetically balanced space between both the fireplace and the TV.

Out of sight

This is a rising trend which involves using custom cabinetry to conceal the television and also the fireplace (if clearance allows) to create a seamless installation.  This look is suited to ultra-modern homes and is a particularly striking design option, which allows homeowners to choose when they wish to move the TV out of sight to focus purely on the flames of their fireplace. No distractions and maximum aesthetic ambience is the name of the game here.

So there you have it. A few ways to incorporate your TV with your fireplace, to make your living space truly spectacular.  Whether off to the side, above, freestanding or concealed, you have many options to enjoy both entertainment from the television and the true beauty of the flames of a Real Flame fireplace.

Talk to our experts to purchase a fireplace today and let us help you make the best choice for your living space.