Rearranging old furniture in new space is a thorny issue. We’ve had arguments, suggestions, and advice meted out at us by well meaning friends and designers.
None of it is as controversial as the argument over TV placement
though. We have a 65" Samsung TV (58"Lx~32"H). Today, we have it
placed around 30" high from the floor, mounted on a custom wooden
cabinet, which makes it at perfect eye level viewing from the
couch. The center of the TV screen is around 45" from the floor.
Option 1: Above the fireplace mantle
The fireplace mantle in the new family room is approximately 5’ or 60" high. A TV placed on top of the mantle will be additionally 3-4" higher.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Goes well with room design | Center of TV screen is now at an absurd height (eye level ~75-80"!) |
| Glare on the TV screen from glass french doors open to the backyard | |
| No electric outlet, so wires hanging down the fireplace mantle |
Option 2: Above the fireplace mantle, with fixes
The TV can be mounted on an expensive wall mount over the fireplace. This can help adjust the eye level to around ~60", which is more tolerable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Able to reduce neck strain | Eye level still NOT ideal (60" as opposed to 45") |
| Able to reuse fireplace mantle | No electric outlet, so wires hanging down the fireplace mantle |
| In lowered position, the wall mount becomes visible | |
| TV juts out 8" from the wall in retracted position | |
| Glare on the TV screen from glass french doors open to the backyard |
Option 3: Move TV to a different wall
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Eye level ideal | TV is on a side wall, not ideal for the room |
| Mantle can have decorative pieces | The thermostat will be behind the TV |
| No glare on TV screen, as it faces plantation shutters | |
| No ugly wires, as there is an electric outlet on the wall |