Mounting a flat-screen TV above a fireplace may seem like the ultimate space-saving, design-savvy idea - especially in a stylish living room where the fireplace acts as a natural focal point. But before you grab your stud finder and tv wall mount, it's important to ask: Can you really hang a TV over your fireplace, and should you? Let's break down the practical, ergonomic, and safety. But can you put a TV above a working fireplace? This fireplace idea is especially popular in small living rooms as this bit of wall space tends to be the only free spot to fit a TV on.
But outside of small living room TV ideas, even in larger lounges, it makes sense as it creates the perfect symmetry in the lounge layout. With a big, flat-screen television, you'll want to make the most of your space. One way to get a dual-purpose entertainment center is to hang the TV above a fireplace mantel or even on the fireplace's brick face so your hearth turns into the room's visual centerpiece.
Hanging a TV over a fireplace may look sharp from a design point of view, but it's not good for your electronics. Even with protection, you should use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the wall area where the TV will be mounted while the fireplace is operating at full capacity. Locating the proper structural support for the mount is another challenge, as the fireplace and chimney chase often disrupt the standard wall framing.
eFireplacestore offers six design and safety tips to make your fireplace and TV work together beautifully in your living space. The answer depends on heat output, installation quality and the type of fireplace you own. While mounting a TV above a fireplace is possible, the main risk is exposure to rising heat, which can reduce TV lifespan or damage internal components.
A fireplace and TV wall can be a beautiful and functional centerpiece, but it only works when built with heat and electronics in mind. Direct vent gas fireplaces offer the best mix of aesthetics, comfort, and safety. Six safe TV placements around a fireplace-above, beside, corner, media wall, built-ins or mobile-plus a 30-min heat test, ideal height, glare and cable tips.
It's understandable that placing a TV above any source of heat raises some concerns, but are there ways of doing it safely and if so, how? We asked TV, fireplace and building experts to share their advice on whether you can, or indeed you should, mount a TV above your fireplace.