Get rid of your TV. You'll never be happier or more productive!

wow, what a beautiful room. The challenge, of course, is that we don't know about what your furnishing options are, scale, etc. I am always opposed to making a TV the focal point of the room and am inclined to suggest that it go on a console perpendicular to the fireplace.... but there may not be enough space.

I've seen some very novel designs where the TV is actually in the fireplace -- is it a functional hearth? if not, that might be the perfect solution. In the winter, you can run a video of a yule-log when you're not geeking.

Don't put it between the columns.. that will look ridiculous. Unless you are prepared to do construction and just completely fill in the opening with a wall or full built-in.

Why not just off-set it to one side of the fireplace in a wall unit or on wall shelves? I don't think it's necessary to have the TV centered directly in front of a sofa.

Sample of TV inside the fireplace:

http://www.thelennoxx.com/browse-by-style/classic/tv-camouflage-light-classic-and-elegant/

I suggest putting the sofa facing out the windows (perpendicular to the fireplace), and the entertainment center in the corner adjacent to the windows. Place chairs facing the sofa. If you have a low profile chair, it can block the entertainment center.
Put good sliders on your chairs to protect the floor, and then turn the chairs when you are gaming. You can build a conversation area that focuses on the fireplace and windows AND still have a tv in the room that you can enjoy comfortably.

I couldn't agree more with postagenotes -- do not put it between the columns. That would interfere with movement between rooms and look....well... weird. Set it to one side of the FP. We have exactly this arrangement, and it works very well.

Is there enough room to mount it to the wall next to the windows? With an extension arm, you could then swivel it out when using it or have it against the wall when not. If the couch was facing the fireplace, you could see it well when swiveled out, but it otherwise would be out of the way. The electronics could go in a cabinet underneath in the corner.

Also, another suggestion. install a long, low built-in looking media bench across the wall, under the windows. Lots of storage!

I honestly think above the fireplace looks nicest and most subtle and is easiest to hide wires and cables (a peeve of mine). Otherwise, to either side of the fireplace on a console.

Do no put it between the columns; that would ruin the room and make the TV even more of a centerpiece (as in, we need our tv so badly we're willing to ruin these beautiful columns and cut off the flow of the house!)

While I agree with @aagoodman, I haven't had the courage to eliminate my TV completely (yet - I'm a complete DVD addict), but hope to one day soon! The problem with mounting a TV above a fireplace is that from an ergonomic perspective it can be uncomfortably high for viewing if the spot you view from, say your sofa, is very nearby. So I'd put a sofa under the windows, then to the left or right of the columns (not in between the columns) I'd put the TV (either console or wall-mount) at eye level when seated on the sofa, and I'd put two low-backed chairs across from the sofa that wouldn't block view of the TV. Your furniture grouping and fireplace would be the focal point, as it should be, and the TV would be in an ideal viewing position from the sofa.

Get a low tv stand and put it in front of the windows. That will give you the best lighting for watching tv or movies. There is nothing worse than glare from the windows. The illumination coming from behind the tv gives you the optimum environment for tv viewing. You dont have to alter the space or show the back of your tv.

If you don't need or want that opening (assume there is other ways to access the room), and that seems to be the best spot for the tv/gaming, then I would check into having the columns removed and a wall/entertainment center installed. Just keep a check on the room flow, and how it works with the rest of the house.

I would consider using a projector.

agree with dakotablue.

I was reading and looking for the reason why they don't want the tv over the fireplace. If you have gaming systems and dvd, then the tv is rather important to you.

I have always been confused by rooms that create conflicting focal points. I have seen many rooms where the furniture faces away from the fireplace and towards the tv and it looks odd to me.

I vote to place the tv over the fireplace - even if it's just a trail run.

I understand your dilemma, my husband is also a gamer and hates tv's over the fireplace because they are too high to watch comfortably. I would put your tv stand diagonal in one of the corners beside the fireplace, unless it is too large for that. Hopefully you can put the sofa paralell to the fireplace and still have a good viewing angle. Otherwise, put the sofa paralell to the tv stand once. We had to do this once with a large room that had windows, doors, and the open kitchen on four sides.

I can't tell just from the picture, but it looks like the room is long enough to create two separate zones. You could have one seating section in front of the fireplace and a separate area with the TV on one side of the columns. A chaise sofa in the center would bridge both zones. A lot of hotel lobbies make use of this set-up. However, as a fellow gamer, I would caution against putting the TV in an area with a lot of pass-through traffic!

I have never liked the tv over the fireplace. I think it's too high, and I always think my neck would hurt. Put it on one side of the fireplace on a low cabinet that can hold the other stuff related to the tv.

I can relate. My husband and I went through the exact same thing. We have built in bookcases on either side of our fireplace and picture windows above each bookcase making the placement of our TV even more difficult. In the end, we opted to put the TV in a different room (a den/family room) and let the fireplace be the focal point of it's room. It was the best decision we made. In the winter we watch far less TV because we would rather be in front of the fireplace. And the best part, we actually talk about our day instead of zoning out in front of a week night lineup.

BUT, because you asked about placement of your TV in this particular room, I won't make other suggestions like putting it in that front room just beyond those columns, I will stick to answering your Good Question.

First, a definite NO is putting it between the columns. The only way it could work would be to close that wall up, but closing that wall will most likely mess with the flow of your first floor. Not worth it for a TV.

Now my suggestion...

My aunt and uncle just put in symmetrical built ins on either side of their fireplace and put the TV in the cabinet part of the built in. Brilliant! It hides the cords and because it's behind cabinet doors they can even hide the TV if they want.

corner, place the tv at an angle and set up furniture in an L-shape.

So if you put the TV in the doorway or closed up the wall entirely, you'd expect your guests to enter the house via the front door and walk through your kitchen to get to the family room? Dumb idea...

Put the sofa beneath the window, the TV on/in a corner unit to the left of the fireplace, and 2 armchairs to the right of the sofa with their backs to the kitchen, facing the fireplace - and a large upholstered ottoman in the center of the room.

And if you want your home to be in decent shape in 10 years, get rid of the game console now - It's a big waste of time that would be better spent on mowing lawns, cleaning gutters, painting trim, washing windows, etc.

@aagoodman
Shows what you know. I manage to be incredibly unproductive without a tv!

As it is, I lean towards a projector, too, depending on your budget.

TV to the left of the doorway with the columns on a nice buffet or within an armoire. Low sofa under the window. Two swivel chairs opposite it.

I'm sort of in agreement with Goose 80, who suggested putting the TV closer to sink end of the room, but instead of two seating areas, you could open up the room with maybe a small sofa by the window and a few chairs by the fireplace, so you can make use of both a TV and hearth.

I have tried the TV on the side of the fireplace thing- that's how my small den is set up now- and it's a nightmare. It just makes it uncomfortable for everyone to watch because its off to the side, and it's a little distracting trying to watch something with a fire lit.

Good luck!

does the television need to go in that room? maybe put the television in the front room and use that space instead for a large dining room table and retire in front of the fire after a meal. just a thought.

@urbancricket: we plan on downsizing our living room TV and putting it in our non-functional fireplace. We have a screen, so it would be easily hidden, and we would then have a lot more options for the space!

Needless to say, if the TV can fit in there, go for it.

I also agree that having it to the side makes furniture arrangement and overall setup very awkward.

If you don't need the columned doorway for entry and exit, by all means curtain it off. Use a good fabric that either matches or complements whatever you plan to use for window dressing. Make sure they're full length (pooling a tiny bit on the floor) and double-sided, so that neither side is the "back".

Place your TV on a discreet stand on one side, using the curtain to hide the cables. If you can make the TV appear to float on a field of fabric, all the better. Put a large armoire on the other side, so that the space looks like a fancy niche for furniture rather than a closed off doorway.

Alternately, if the fireplace doesn't work you can put the TV in front of it.

We struggled with the problem for a long time. In the end, I created balanced nooks on either side of the fireplace (with two low tables and balanced artwork over them., and one holds the TV. If your home is uncluttered and a little casual, a flat screen TV doesn't look at all out of place or otherwise obnoxious.

I like littlemilo's idea. The room next to the kitchen would make more sense as a dining area and then that better shaped front room could fit a TV nicely.

I also love the TV in fireplace idea. It's just working with the architecture instead of fighting it.

Perhaps there is a fireplace in the front room too?

The other idea that was mentioned that I liked was the projector. It only makes sense if it would be in use not too often. If the screen is always going to be down, why bother.

As a few people (ValHalla in particular) suggested: place your entertainment section in a corner on either side of the fireplace. Not on a corner unit, but a standard one, and then skew the TV on it to be in the best spot for playing. My boyfriend and I did this, it's super comfortable for gaming and movie watching, but removes the TV as the sole focus of our living room and means we end up sitting, facing one another on two different chairs, and having great conversations more often.

PS, just my opinion, but people who answer these kinds of questions with "just get rid of it" strike me as pretty freaking rude. The OP wasn't asking to get judged, or to adopt your lifestyle, but for advice on how to arrange their own life.

I agree with the people who say to put it in the corner. I had an apt. with a similar situation (it was a door to the balcony in the middle of the wall, not a fireplace), and I just put my TV in the corner. Worked fine.

If watching tv is important to your family, make it the focal point of your living room and get rid of the fireplace. From the look of your house, you probably have central air and heat, so why bother with a fireplace.

Wait.. why not put it over the fireplace? Sometimes it just makes sense.

I'd go over the fireplace in the middle of a gallery wall of photos.

The "retractable" or "pop up" consoles have become a popular option. The TV drops down out of sight when you don't need it. Check out:
http://vermontwoodsstudios.com/products/flat-screen-tv-console

I agree with crosberg, tv should be in one of the corners, not on a corner unit but on a rectangular piece of furniture and you can angle the tv as needed.

I can't stand the comments "just get rid of the tv". Seriously rude and not what the op was asking for. Some people like to play video games and watch movies and tv shows. Get over it.

I have a very similar set up, but in a much smaller space so I'm a bit jealous. I agree with those who suggested one of the corners (preferably the left one) - low console and angle the TV as needed - and make sure you place something on the other side of the fireplace for balance.

I love television, it is possible to own one and still live a happy and productive life. Everything in moderation people.

Beautiful room by the way, please submit after photos once you get everything set up!

Re: above the fireplace. In a small room with a tall fireplace (ours is like the OP's), it's just too high, imo. I don't want to have to look up like I'm in the front row of a movie theatre. It works fine in a larger room with a more modern fp. It also becomes the overwhelming focal point, up that high.

I would put it to the left of the fireplace, preferably hidden in an armoire. (Get one with a swivel shelf so when you are watching tv, you can put it at the best angle for viewing.) Place a bookshelf to the right of the fire place to make it look balanced. Then I would suggest a sofa along the windows and two club chairs or something facing the fire place. Just my opinion!

poiuy, your spam is not welcome here. BOO!

We had a similar dilemma and we ultimately put in cabinets (that ended up looking like built-ins) on either side of our fireplace.

We have our living space angled (we live in a loft, so very open space) towards both the TV and the fireplace. This way we can watch films, shows and sports while still enjoying the fire.

Having the back of the couch facing our kitchen also gives the living area some separation from the kitchen.

I also think you should put it to the side of the fireplace, on an angle. On the left will keep it out of view when you look through the columns (less of a focal point maybe), to the right will cut down on any window glare.

Also - I agree with whomever said to float the sofa so it faces the TV. This also allows for a slightly separated space, if wanted, and you can still get the ease of nearly straight-on viewing.

And tangent - Nicole was asking about this particular room because this seems to be the room she and her family want the TV, et al. in, and she says they're opposed to it being over the fireplace. I never understand commenters who seem to not respect the OP's question. It's like when people ask for advice and say, "Need help with ideas, but we're not (or can't) changing X," and then a bunch of commenters say, "Change X. I would do that."

depends on how big your TV is. Mine is on a dresser that we've re-purposed for an entertainment center. I never have liked the look of furniture made for the sheer purpose of holding media! We use the drawers to hide DVDs (they fit perfectly!). It works rather well. If your TV is small enough, you could do a similar method, but it looks like you've got a pretty narrow space next to the fireplace. If you've got a big-screen, that won't work.

Hi everyone! This is Nicole! Thanks so much for your responses. Sorry for not checking in sooner but I've been out of the country on business.

I've been reading AT for some time
now, so please! I completely expected the "get rid of your tv responses." No worries, I don't take them seriously. We all have our weaknesses, and, as many of you guessed, the gaming culprit here is not me - it's the boyfriend. Over many years, I've finally learned there are some things you just can't change about your partner - so you have to accept them.

Anyway, since my original question was edited, I can understand some of the confusion over my question. The reason we don't like the tv over the fireplace is two-fold (1) the bad viewing angle and (2) the aesthetics - just don't like the way it looks and would prefer to have a great piece of art there. Also, I understand it can be challenging to deal with all the wires and connections from that position, although I've never tried it myself. Also, in my original question, i did mention that there are two additional entries to the family room from the front of the house - one through the front hallway and one through the kitchen, so guests would not need to enter the family room through the kitchen. Therefore, one option is to remove the columns and put up a wall, but this would only be as a final resort.

I really appreciate all of the great ideas and am definitely going to give them a lot of thought before making a decision. We actually are considering putting the gaming junk (oops did I say that) in another room and just have a smaller tv in the family room off to one side. If the moderators don't mind, I will take the suggestion to send a follow up with pics of the final decision (this will not be for several weeks since we are not moving until the end of the month). Thanks again!

Whatever you do, don't block the doorway with a TV!

I don't believe that you have mentioned where things like the cable jack already are. That's pretty much going to determine where you put the TV unless you want lots of wires running about or to reconfigure things. Not really sure why it can't sit next to the fireplace though.