For those of you that have your tv mounted above the fireplace..where did you store the other stuff? Like the blu ray player, surround sound, game consoles, etc.
Thanks everyone, but I am still at a lost as to what to do. We just recently bought this house and it already have an outlet and the cable hook up over the fireplace. I guess theyre making it convienent if someone want to mount theyre tv above the fireplace. My fireplace is one of those fake fireplaces that is run by gas. Im not worried about ot damaging the tv. I was thinking maybe buy a bookcase or onw of those wall mount shelves? Idk..keep the suggestions coming please.
no! it's too high, and i want my mantel to be beautiful. the fireplace and mantel are for quiet gazing and contemplation.
the tv is in front of the bookcase. the bits and pieces that are attached to it are on shelves underneath.
khairete
S.
If you haven't already mounted it, consider somewhere else. The TV should be at eye level when you're sitting down. In most homes, above the fireplace is too high and you can develop neck problems from regularly having to look up. If you already mounted it, try to remember to recline a bit when you watch so that you're sight line is naturally angled up. The other answers covered what I've seen for equipment storage (either in a recessed cubby or a separate cabinet on the side.
Yes - ugh! It's in a cubby that was cut out above the fireplace, and it's mounted on a swivel arm so that it can be tilted down slightly so your neck doesn't hurt looking so far up.
Fortunately we have a bookcase/cabinet right next to the fireplace, and my crafty husband has all the wires running through the wall into the cabinet section of the bookcase where all the satellite, dvd player, wii, etc... are hidden. He also bought some special remote that can turn it all on/change channels without opening the cabinets.
I really wish we had a gorgeous painting above our fireplace, but the big screen trumped that. Oh well, I got my kitchen that I wanted. :)
My sister has hers above the fireplace. Every time I visit her, I get a neck cramp looking up at that thing. I've also been told by a lot of electronics people that above the fireplace is the LAST place you should put your TV and you should avoid it if you can (understood, sometimes is truly is the only place for the TV).
And the deal with all the other stuff and wires, etc...just one more issue to deal with. You'd probably have to get something custom made or built in to hide all that stuff which can be a major expense. Otherwise, it'll all just sit on your mantel.
We had a cabinet built into the wall above our fireplace. It has doors that can be closed (pocket doors, like on many entertainment centers).
Inside the cabinet, the bottom has a wooden "box" thing that is like cubbies that the satellite box and bluray player slide into. There was no room for the Wii, however, so that sits on a shelf next to the fireplace (built in book shelves). The power outlet is in the back of the cabinet, so the wires for the wii do trail out the front of the cabinet on the mantel to the Wii sitting next door. It isn't too obtrusive though. At Christmas you can't even see them, as the mantel has garland and stocking holders, etc all over it.
A neighbor has their TV mounted over the fireplace and the other stuff is on the mantel.
I was wondering about this myself. We have a large wall where a flat screen TV would fit nicely, but I worry about all the other mess. If I ever get one, I'd love to build a frame around it, like this.
http://www.u-createcrafts.com/2011/08/diy-flat-screen-tv-...
I wish that flat screen TVs had screensavers like computers. I could set it to a picture of the kids or even just a nice painting or photograph so that it wouldn't look like the television was the visual focal point of the room even when it's off.
We don't have ours mounted above the fireplace, however, a friend of ours does.
They actually had a cut out done the TV has its own "cubby" above the fireplace. They have it mounted (not just sitting) and the cable/DirecTV box, etc. are on the "floor" of the cubby.
We do not have those gadgets but I hav wanted to hang ours over the fireplace but wondered if it would be safe (fire hazard).
Ours is above the fireplace, and yes it's a bit "high". The components/stuff are in a cubby next to the fireplace (I think originally made for other things, but we had the outlet moved into the cubby so the wires weren't all over the place.
my brother's is in a cabinet above the FP. he has the components off to the side on a shelf around the corner - kind of mantle level. obviously the chimney sticks out from the wall.
re: neck thing - as long as the couch is far enough away (like his is) it really isn't much of a strain. hey, will keep you from watching hours of TV:)
Yep - two fireplace mantels with one tv above each. Our electrician installed both - wires ran inside the wall but outside of the fireplace stuff. Wires lead to side bookshelf - which hides all the electronics except for teh stereo (too big, produces too much heat AND remote wouldnt' work "in cabinet")
