Poll: TV above mantelpiece or not?

Yaayuh! · 30 Mar 2020 at 18:54

Now, i've always gone with never putting the TV above the mantel because of eye height and it usually looks terrible, but I'm limited in my living room and having a rethink because my mantel isn't actually all that high (89cm) and I want to upgrade.

I currently have a 10 year old 40" TV in the corner with a soundbar. I can replace with a 43" TV without it being any bigger due to the big ol' bezel on the current one, but not really any bigger than that without it causing issues.

I'd like to go at least 50" (49" Sony is the current thought) above the mantel, bring back a full AV 5.1.2 or 3.1.2 solution and put a new AV cupboard and shelves in the corner. Wanted to get all your opinions as to what you would do in this situation.

Here's the lounge, excuse the birthday cards...

Edit: Mods, @EVH, Can you please make a poll for me.

Should I put the new TV above the mantelpiece?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Pancake

edit:

**UPDATE**

I did it and glad I did.

Update post

hornetstinger · 30 Mar 2020 at 18:59

No.move the TV from the corner to the left side of the photo where the curtain is.
Similar room to mine fireplace a couple of meters in

wellibob · 30 Mar 2020 at 19:12

Never EVER mount a TV above a mantle, even though yours is relatively low. It's just crap for watching TV on the sofa. If you want placement over viewing pleasure then go for it. But I won't visit.

hornetstinger · 30 Mar 2020 at 19:15

Move the speakers to the left also the window wall

-Ad- · 30 Mar 2020 at 19:18

Can you take a wide angle photo of the room to show us what else you have to play with.

Although mounting above the mantel is usually a no-no, you'r mantel is quite low so it might work alright.

Yaayuh! · 30 Mar 2020 at 20:47

-Ad- said:
Can you take a wide angle photo of the room to show us what else you have to play with.

Not really, took a crap pano, but useless.

However, BEHOLD! My super paint skillz!

Not to scale in the slightest but givers you more of an idea.

More info:

Top of mantel is about 89cm high from the hearth.
Sofa seat is about 46cm. No recline.
Distance from the chimney breast that the TV would be on to the sofa back is 3.5m (about 11.5ft).

Gray2233 · 30 Mar 2020 at 20:55

Couldn't you move the chav sofa to sit next to the window and put the tv against the wall opposite the fireplace?

Semple · 30 Mar 2020 at 20:55

We've mounted ours above the fireplace because of the awkward room layout.

It's actually not anywhere near as bad as others are making out. Yes if you have a tiny TV it might be a bit of effort to watch, but a nice big TV makes a huge difference!

Scrutinize · 30 Mar 2020 at 21:00

One of these, accommodates up to 65 comfortably without looking out of place in the room. The oak isn't as dark as the pics.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...hepstow-930-mm-tv-stand-oak-10004693-pdt.html

Yaayuh! · 30 Mar 2020 at 21:06

Gray2233 said:
Couldn't you move the chav sofa to sit next to the window and put the tv against the wall opposite the fireplace?

Not without it going in front of the fireplace.
If the sofa was the other way around (there’s a long side and shorter side) then maybe.

Scrutinize said:
One of these, accommodates up to 65 comfortably without looking out of place in the room. The oak isn't as dark as the pics.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-an...hepstow-930-mm-tv-stand-oak-10004693-pdt.html

Not sure where I would put it?

Scrutinize · 30 Mar 2020 at 21:18

Yaayuh! said:
Not sure where I would put it?

It would replace your current tv unit?

It's design isn't obtrusive so it means you can still maximise room space.

Gray2233 · 30 Mar 2020 at 21:18

Yaayuh! said:
Not without it going in front of the fireplace.
If the sofa was the other way around (there’s a long side and shorter side) then maybe.

Wasn't sure if it was one of those corner sofa's where you could switch the end bit to either end.

Honestly though, your fireplace looks pretty low so you might get away with it.

jpaul · 30 Mar 2020 at 21:32

could you equally get a cantilever support for the tv, so it can remain mostly in the corner where it is, and move to a better angle when needed
(recent thread where someone bought such a stand)
maybe that would allow tv to be further right, so that left speaker could be obliquely against left wall, to improve sound

Yaayuh! · 30 Mar 2020 at 21:41

The TV is on an an adjustable arm on the wall that can repositioned. It’s angled out at the Sofa.
I can’t put a bigger TV in the gap without it encroaching on the window/curtains and fireplace/mantle.
I’m limited to about 43” in that gap, unless I bring it further out and over hang the window and put it in front of the fireplace.

Yaayuh! · 30 Mar 2020 at 22:01

I might see if I can dig out the stand for the TV, so I can just plonk it on the mantel for a few days as a test.

-Ad- · 30 Mar 2020 at 22:22

That wooden stand linked above is vile and wouldn't work in the room.

With you l33t paint skills I'd say leave it as is and get a TV above the fireplace. But don't think 50" as a TV shrinks once you've become accustomed to it. I'd get a 65" above there, but to test, just mark out the size of the tv above the fireplace with some non-tack tape.

jpaul · 30 Mar 2020 at 23:21

Yaayuh! said:
The TV is on an an adjustable arm on the wall that can repositioned. It’s angled out at the Sofa.

what's the depth of the chimney/mantlepiece ... if less than 500mm could clear it with an arm like
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AYBLPNA from earlier thread

FurryLemon · 31 Mar 2020 at 00:36

A decent sized TV wouldn't be too bad as it isn't a high mantel. Minimum 55" for me though, which are cheap as chips these days anyway.

a1ex2001 · 31 Mar 2020 at 00:57

If it must go above the fire place get an out and down mount so you can get it at a nice height when needed for less casual viewing.

chaparral · 31 Mar 2020 at 03:30

All the TV's in my house are mounted fairly high on the wall and it never caused any problems..

I recommend you go for a 55" TV if mounting it about that fire place