apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

please, don't hang the tv over the fireplace.. it never looks good. ever.

i'm also voting against hanging the tv over the fireplace. i'm guessing it looks good sometimes, but in your case, i love the niche too much to cover it, plus...wouldn't the tv be too high to watch comfortably?

Do you use the fireplace? Compared to the rest of the pretty room, it's pretty fug (sorry!). Could you have someone (or yourselves) build a plywood enclosure that follows the shape of the fireplace? You could paint it the same color as the walls, and you'd have a nice place to mount the TV, and you'd even be able to hide the wires behind it. Combined with the built-in bookcase idea, it could actually look pretty spiffy and not "guess who I buried behind this!"

P.S. Your fan is *so* sexy. I am not even kidding.

Don't pretend the tv is art. How about positioning the sofa parallel to the fireplace (to make it more of a focal point), and then hanging the tv on the wall where the sofa is right now, with a bookcase or console beneath it. I like the idea of using the current tv console as a coffee table, and adding a nice, green plant. Then, paint out the inside if the cool fireplace niche and add something lovely. I think a chair and your floor lamp would look great where the tv is right now.

Put the TV on the wall (not on a piece of furniture)where the sofa is. Put the sofa facing the fireplace. Put the light wood cabinet to the left of the entry door. Flank the fireplace with two small-scale armless chairs. Done! ;)

Hang the TV on the wall. Put the couch at an angle, toward both fireplace and tv. This will allow the focus to be shared and not centered around the tv, yet allowing tv watching to be comfy. You should also still have room for a chair at the end of the angled couch furthest from the fireplace. Paint all wood cabinets, tables, etc. the same color as the walls, or white like the media table (change to a coffee table). Then add lots of color! It might also be nice to paint a color on both sides of the fireplace as well as the little cubby above the fireplace (same color) to add a bit of detail interest. A blue might be nice.

Put the TV on the wall where the bookcase is. Leave the couch where it is. Put a chair where the fan is (love the fan). Put two short bookcase/tables under the windows to balance with the fireplace. Use TV stand as coffee table. Scrap the tall bookcase. The fan can go in front of the big window.

I hate the idea of the TV over the fireplace. Ew.

Oh, yeah, and place a sofa table behind the relocated sofa... the perfect spot for bill paying or laptop-usin'.

I don't quite understand how anyone can tolerate having the television at a right angle to the seating. When you have more than one person seated at the couch (and can't lay down), it becomes a bit painful to constantly crane your neck after around 15 minutes of watching.
I think the problem you're stuck with is that the TV, TV stand, and the couch are on the large size for the room. I personally would have a leaner TV stand against the wall where your couch currently is, flanked by two smaller arm/lounge chairs. I would also bit the bullet, get rid of the couch, and buy a smaller loveseat to place on the other side of the fireplace, facing the television's new position. The seating will be centered around the fireplace, while at the same time providing a clear view of the TV for those seated at the loveseat.

Can we all just agree that a TV, while in this case non-negotiable, is NEVER a piece of art worthy of a prominent position in any room--especially over a mantle?

Patrick, I really like your ideas. You even make bill paying sound fun...almost.

Use the TV as a firescreen - just make sure you close the flu. You will use the fireplace only a few times (if at all) during Fall and Winter - at which time you'll move the tv out of the way. Several stores sell shelflettes that allow you to raise the height of the tv 10-12" and place AV equipment underneath. Find one of those if you throw the tv in the fireplace.

Center that rug around the fireplace and throw in the coffee table and couch facing the fireplace.

As you buy, place two complimentary chairs where that couch once sat -slightly away from the wall, but not on the rug.

That bookcase is lonely. Have you thought about getting it a mate for more of a built-in feel?

You need some art. It doesn't look like you want to stay.

PS: Love the sofa, love that small wood cabinet.

And if wall-mounting the TV, mount it on an adjustable bracket so it can be angled to view from the sofa.

Also make a priority out of window treatments, but I think the existing hardware is a little lacking.

The bookcase (to me) looks a little "temporary." I'd vote for something with a bit more (if not totally) closed storage.

Wished I lived out West. Would love to help!

I think you need something soft, pretty, and colorful at the windows. The room looks hard. The fireplace is oversized, and the tilework around it adds to the harsh feeling. I think if you softened the windows up a bit, you could think about what to do next. Figuring out how you're going to position that TV is quite a challenge! I'm also against the TV-over-the-fireplace approach

You won't have to have the pillows on the couch match -- they can play off whatever you do with the windows. The niche above the fireplace could also be painted to work into the color scheme.

That teeny-tiny coffee table in front of the couch looks like a cry for help. You need something more in proportion with the couch. I think the others who have suggested using what you've currently got the TV on as a coffee table are on the right track.

The lone bookcase also needs help, badly. I'd try to locate a wider, lower bookcase that extends across that area of the wall, and put a nice piece of art above it.

Sorry to go a little offtopic but does anyone know where I can buy that small table/stool/footrest thing? I've been looking for something like it...

"Can we all just agree that a TV is NEVER a piece of art worthy of a prominent position in any room--especially over a mantle?"

The above statement is just pure snobbery. Most people watch an hour or two of television per day-- why pretend otherwise, hiding televisions on "media cabinets" and the like? Why is a fireplace (an outdated notion which generally goes UNUSED, these days) worthy of sacred "prominence"? Should our rooms reflect who we actually ARE, or should they pretend otherwise?

If your room suggests over-the-mantle TV placement, I say go for it-- a no-apologies confession of how you live.

Your particular mantle seems too high for that though-- I like the firescreen idea.

if it were my place id get that thing out of the corner that your laptop is on, and pull the opposite end of your couch out on a slight angle (so it is off the wall and mildly tilted toward the fireplace). then i'd angle your tv stand in the corner opposite the couch, where it is right now and put your laptop stand thingy on the wall between the window and the door.

mild changes, but the room will feel bigger and things will fit a bit better methinks.

How about placing the furniture & rug on a diagonal? Pivot the rug & sofa toward the door... TV as firescreen... add a comfortable chair near door.

if you put your tv over the fireplace... i think you would have long term neck problems from angling your head upwards all the time.

RE: "Can we all just agree that a TV is NEVER a piece of art worthy of a prominent position in any room--especially over a mantle?"

The above statement is just pure snobbery.

******************
no, the statement was NOT pure snobbery. the tv is an entertainment appliance.

and tv at a right angle to sofa would leave your neck straining uncomfortably as well unless there's only one person lying across the sofa...

so I think the best solution offered is joey_brill's tv as firescreen, with sofa opposite fireplace. and from the photo, it looks like it could be a good fit.

Notwist--

They are (I believe) Eames table/trays...

http://hivemodern.com/products/?view=sub_product&sid=1453&cid=339&cid2=346

I would do:
Tv above fireplace - can wall mount and perhaps keep niche seen if enough spce.
Laptop table by door as a landing strip and also for lap top
bookcase where you now have mag holders near laptop on right of fireplace (creates mini office area)
Move couch to where bookcase is currently and faces fireplace and tv
Move tv console in front of couch as coffee table

Re: The comment about the tv.

I feel somewhat the same way about computers. Why do so many people feel the need to take pictures of their macs? But I understand that all of us are not lucky enough to have designated media rooms, or electronic-free zones (including myself).

the suggestion to put the tv above the fireplace is terrible.

designers really need to take a course in a/v, home theater before giving out advice. i see it over and over: tv up high over the fireplace.

you ever trying watch a screen that is 3 feet above your ahead? it's not enjoyable. a tv/movie image should be so that it is about eye level.

enjoy the neck pains if you follow the advice given.

everything i was gonna say, patrick has said above.

and also NO to the TV over the fireplace. in this case why would you hide that cool niche?

oh or ANOTHER option is to put the tv on the wall where the sofa is now, using the most narrow (in depth) entertainment unit or stand you can find beneath it or next to it. and FLOAT the sofa across from it so there is room for a real coffee table, and room behind the sofa to walk behind/around it.
people always forget that floating sofa is an option!

how often do you have a fire? how often do you watch tv? if the answers are never/rarely and alot, consider putting the tv in front of your hearth. it will still read as a big black box, but so does your hearth.

i had to settle for this when my other half nixed the tv in the guest room trial. it's the right viewing height and our oversized lcd is light enough to unwire and/or move for fires or parties where tv viewing is not going to occur.

you know those windows that go opaque when electricity is added?.....i want one that goes from clear to television.

"...lucky enough to have electronic-free zones"?

Love it!

We have all sorts of amazing technology available to us, stuff our ancestors would MARVEL at--- yet people practically apologize for owning and using these devices.

Here's a solution-- put your money where your mouth is, and get rid of the vulgar electronics! (No, too extreme a solution? You mean, you actually ENJOY using this stuff?)

As an unabashed tv watcher, over the fireplace isn't merely discounted as a style issue--is it just too high, 'nuff said.
That leaves a conundrum, but here's my advice:
Instead of putting the tv on your largest wall, which could host floating shelves with objects and/or lots of artwork--and making it the first thing you see when you enter--I would put it on the short wall where the tall bookcase is now, but hear out the rest:
the sofa will face the fireplace, (turn the rug) and two chairs will flank the fireplace, giving you both a conversational seating area taking advantage of your fireplace and windows, and a comfortable tv viewing angle from the chairs.
If you don't wall mount the tv, find a narrow console table. Move the bookshelf to a different room, and put the cute brown console table next to the front door (landing strip?)
Two low bookshelves under the windows flanking he fireplace is an excellent suggestion, as is painting the alcove.
You've got a great start, good luck--I love the sofa and the green pillow.

I think there are a lot of great suggestions and options. I just wanted to put in my two cents regarding the fireplace. I love the arched nook area, which is a natural feature of the house. I personally think it would be a shame to cover it up.

Other than that, I say just try a few different things and do what works best for your and your lifestyle.

I actually agree with the idea of putting the tv in front of the fireplace (of course only if you don't use it).
the main problem with the room right now for me is that everything is pushed to the walls and there is a big hole in the middle and the walls seem cramped. Especially the things under the two small windows next to the fireplace should be move.

My suggestion:
If you don't use the fireplace place the tv there. put the sofa so it faces the tv. use the white media storage as a sofa table. Move the things away from the 2 small windows. I would make nice curtains for these windows with some color and pattern, because right now the whole room is a bit blah.
Now you should also have room to place a chair or two where the sofa and the tv was. In the corners instead of the cabinet I would put a large plant.
I actually think the bookcase looks ok where it is or else you can also move it to the wall where the sofa is now and place the small cabinet where the bookcase is. Over that cabinet a few pictures would look nice.

I gotta add, when I first looked at the top photo, for a second I actually thought the fireplace WAS the tv (same dark outline, my eyes are bad). If you squint you'll maybe see what I mean--it wouldn't look bad (at fireplace level, mind you, not above the fireplace). It could easily be moved to either side of the fireplace in fire season.

I have to agree with melanie.....that fan really is sexy, lol

where'd ya get it?

If it is not a working fireplace (or you will never use it) I say put the TV there. Bookshelfs on either side of the fireplace. Make sure these are deep enough for your DVD play and other electrical devices. Personally I would have glass doors on these shelves. I think doors would play off nicely with the rooms architecture (spanish, vintage, craftsman bungalow).

Move the cabinet that is now beside the fireplace to where the shelves are now. Make that your landing strip for when you come and go.

As far as the couch and other seating? It would depend on how much square footage you have and the size of the furniture. This is where a good old fashion measuring tape comes into play. I so adore your couch. I says old time Hollywood glamour to me.

Ooh, if you put the tv in front of the fireplace you could play one of those super-cheesy burning log videos on it - I'm only a little ashamed to say that I LOVE those :) Plus, what else can you really do with a fireplace in LA?

Is the fireplace missing a couple tiles? Even if you can't replace them, you might want to think about painting the missing spots a cream color so they're not quite so obvious.

Really quite stunned at all the "put the TV IN the fireplace" suggestions.

Why the outcry when a TV is mounted *above* the fireplace ("Too high! TV is not art! Why ruin such a beautiful focal point?") but none when it actually blocks the working part of the fireplace, and is basically on the floor...

...but melanie, I agree about that burning log DVD! I bought one to play on the TV of the guesthouse I stay at in Ft Lauderdale every Christmas, and I was soon known as "the guy with the fireplace in his room"! NOT that there were many people in and out of my room, mind you... ;)

To Shirley Temple, who accused me of "pure snobbery":

Yes, a lot of us watch TV and need our rooms to be multi-purpose settings for our lives. But if the idea is to make our homes inviting and appealing (which is one of the primary objectives of this site, by the way), I believe we should minimize the presence of things that remind us of work, stress, or the outside world. And a TV turned off is, at best, a big flat black rectangle. It doesn't deserve the traditional "best place" in a home (and that doesn't even address the issue of being too high for proper viewing when placed on the mantel).

Not everyone with a TV set is watching mindless drivel around the clock.

Today, the TV is one of the (only) ways people watch Oscar winning films these days, as an example. The "TV is evil" argument is sooo my father..

Spedie1 here. Thanks for all of your helpful comments! I like the idea of starting with window treatments to help soften the space. It seems like a small change that could make a big impact. As far as the TV debate goes, I'm not a TV above or in the fireplace person. I chose the TV's current placement instead of the opposite wall because I didn't want it to be the first thing I see when I walk in the door, but, really, with a place this small and TV that big, it won't make much of a difference.

When I saw my pictures in this post I had to laugh, because half of my kitchen, including the refrigerator was sitting in my little living room due to a kitchen renovation, which is now thankfully complete (in 5 days, no less!) joey_brill, who commented that it looked like I didn't want to stay, was absolutely right. We've had problems ranging from termites, musty basement smell, and worst of all, a kitchen that had seen much much better days. But, the new kitchen has dramatically improved things, changing the energy in the entire house.

The standing fan is the Allaire from Restoration Hardware. Sexy or not, this will be going in the basement for the winter.

I really like what you've shown here and would like to see the after photos.

I have a similar dilemma with a 43" LCD TV. My space is 13' x 14'. You enter through large pocket doors to find the fireplace along the left on the 14' wall. Landlord says I am not allowed to hang it, the space to the right and left has built in shelves. Directly across from the pocket doors are two tall windows, then on the wall across from the fireplace is the couch and a chair and other decor. The space looks awesome, except for the TV on the mantel with wires everywhere. ICK.

I've decided that maybe a large fake wall to cover the TV and cords would work and still leave it on the mantel.

I always hear, never put the TV there, but I really have no choice, the other other place is between the windows, but the TV is wider than the space between them by at least 10 inches and frankly looks really strange there.

If someone else has this issue, please speak up :)