Message Boards

Hi, I wanted to see if anybody had ideas on where I can put the tv in this room? It seems like I only can above the fireplace, but I don't really want to. Any other ideas? In the first pic, there is a doorway to the left of the fireplace which leads to the kitchen, so we can't put anything on that wall. I am taking a pic from where the couch is located now. I will post a couple more too (this one is before it was updated a little).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: -googles-,

If I put the tv where the plant is here, it seems like it is akward to watch tv from that view. To the right is the door and to the right of that is another window.

The fireplace is in front of the couch.. to the left of me. There is a door to the left of the couch which you can see and door to the right of the couch too. Thanks for any help.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: -googles-,

If you'd like to minimize the importance of TV viewing, you could remove one shelf and place a small one in the built-in.

Would it be comfortable viewing anyway from the couch placed on the back wall? This room feels large enough that the furniture s/b floated.

How about placing the couch and loveseat parallel to each other, in front of the f/p, i.e. perpendicular from the hearth. (Alternatively, 2 chairs could be across from the couch, instead of the loveseat.) That way, a TV plus its console, including the wires and other components, could be placed on the back wall.

If you float the furniture, the current loveseat corner could then be set up as a reading nook with a comfortable chair, etc. or used for another purpose.

So, you have 3 doors besides the exterior one? Are the 3 kitchen doors all necessary? Any way the one to the left of that built-in could be closed off? BTW, if you don't care to walk in to the back of a sofa or loveseat from one of the 4 (total) doors, you can place a console table on that side.

Good Luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

I really like bearcat's suggestion of using the built-in area and making room for a TV there. Then I would flank the sofa with a chair on each side of it, and you have, not only a conversation center, but more chairs for TV viewing.

Is this the main TV watching area (Den) or just for a few watching once in a while, makes a huge difference in the amount of seating necessary to view TV.

I like the idea of the large TV on the wall where the large picture is now to the right of the fireplace. The bracket system they have to hang TV and the new ones being less weight, you can get the expanding hinged type so that you can pull the TV forward and angle towards the seating, and pushed back against the wall when not viewing.

I would put the sofa at a 90 degree angle to the fireplace (not always viewing a fire, that is seasonal use) and then two swivel chairs facing it, or the love seat (where seldom is seating for TV viewing) facing the sofa.

You can also put a room darkening blind on that corner window to be pulled down if you need a dark corner during the day (behind the TV).

NICE room and nice fireplace too.

Personally, while I like the look of a TV on a fireplace when done well, the practicality issue is a biggy for me...it's usually too high for comfortable viewing. I like the idea of floating the furniture and utilizing the wall the sofa is currently on for the TV, a cabinet below it and possibly flanked by a pair of chairs angled in. The chairs would not be for viewing TV, of course, but rather to balance the room.

Alternately, as much as I dislike ignoring a fireplace in a room, could you use the area to the right of the fireplace wall as a TV "nook"? It might not be large enough to include as much seating as your family might require, though. ETA: just went back and noticed that this area is an entry, so scratch this idea!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Belstone,

I dislike the idea of the TV over the fireplace since it is an open firebox and not a gas or closed in (with glass) type firebox. Soot, heat and smoke are not good for electronics placed above.

quote:

Originally posted by Mary Ruth:
I dislike the idea of the TV over the fireplace since it is an open firebox and not a gas or closed in (with glass) type firebox. Soot, heat and smoke are not good for electronics placed above.

...not to mention it voids the warranty!

Your room is gorgeous, googles. And, I agree with you and others here that a TV over the fireplace is not an ideal setup, for various reasons.

Would you consider a TV easel. It is a media stand that allows for optimum TV watching and is handsome, to boot. Take a look:

My husband would claim the wall where the sofa is for his "TWO" TVs. Yes, that's right, the man puts two tvs in wherever we live. We have two 50 inch flat screens in this room right now. We have two tvs at the house we own a couple of hours drive away.

I get the rest of the room to decorate, but he gets to claim the wall for the tvs first. Compromise keeps a marriage happy! LOL

To the left of the fireplace is a door to the kitchen. It can't be closed off. When you look at the 2nd pic there is a door to the right of that that leads to the hall. If you go through that door, you can also get to the kitchen that way. To the left of the couch is also a door, but that is the laundry room. Then there is the door to the outside.

quote:

Originally posted by BearCat49


So, you have 3 doors besides the exterior one? Are the 3 kitchen doors all necessary? Any way the one to the left of that built-in could be closed off? BTW, if you don't care to walk in to the back of a sofa or loveseat from one of the 4 (total) doors, you can place a console table on that side.

Good Luck!

quote:

Originally posted by aychihuahua:
Your room is gorgeous, googles. And, I agree with you and others here that a TV over the fireplace is not an ideal setup, for various reasons.

Would you consider a TV easel. It is a media stand that allows for optimum TV watching and is handsome, to boot. Take a look:

That's a good idea too. If I have the room set up like this, what would I put behind the couch where the flowers are? I have a wall there so not sure how much space would be between the couch and wall. Thanks everybody for suggestions. If you happen to see more pics please send them. I am visual so it helps to see what you are talking about. Thanks!

Oh and btw, this isn't my stuff in the room. I guess I should mention that. I do have a sectional and a couple of club type chairs. Not sure if we will use those or go with other furniture. We are moving into the house, so this is just how it was staged.

Ok, googles, makes sense about the doors. Had the impression from your original posts that they were all kitchen doors.

WRT the photo with the flowers, if enough space and you don't care to walk into the back of the couch, you might consider a narrow console table, placed behind the couch.

I like the easels, too, but when I've seen them in person, the rooms appear cluttered b/c of the components. You could probably stow them in one of the white built-ins. If it were my room, I'd still try to use the back wall with a media console, assuming there's sufficient space to circulate around the parallel couches/loveseats/chairs.

You didn't ask about the plant corner but the staging furniture/accessories appears a little office waiting room-ish. Although the window doesn't make it a great place for a built-in, I can see many people using that as a home office area or homework area for kids. Alternatively, a small game table with a swagged lamp overhead could be another helpful zone.

That back corner (with the staged loveseat) could be set up as a reading nook with a comfy, large chair, arc or pole lamp and small table for a book or two plus drink. In spite of the window, a built-in bookcase could be added to that section of the back wall - or the opposite wall (plant corner) for that manner.

Congratulations on your new home! It's a beautiful, comfortable and cozy room so I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Take care - all, JMHO.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

Thanks :-) Oh and I think a couple other people also mentioned putting the tv on the wall where the couch is. Talked to hubby about it and he didn't like that idea because the back of the couch would be towards the fireplace. There would be no room to place a couple chairs facing the fireplace if the couch is there. Does that make sense? He would like the couch somehow to be facing towards the fireplace so when we have the fire going we can sit on the couch. Maybe somehow angled towards where the chair and plant are now with the tv there like some suggested? I don't know. I wish I had a photoshop program so I can see how it would look so I can get a better idea a head of time.

quote:

Would you consider a TV easel.

I like this idea. Did not know such an option existed, but then what about the cords etc?

What about either side of the bottom part of the book cases? Are they big enough to hold a t.v.?

then the fire and the t.v. could both be viewed.

Another suggestion: you could place the flat screen on the raised hearth, to the right of the fireplace. It will block some of the lower bookcases, but that wouldn't be so bad, because you could camouflage the wires behind the TV.

Also, you could place the components in the bookshelves within line of sight for the remote.

I vote for removing a couple of shelves in the bookcase and putting the tv there. I'm going to do that in our family room. Am going to mount the tv on an arm where it can come out into the room and swivel but be back in the bookcase on the few occasions where we don't want to watch it (company???)

Hi googles,

Actually, in my initial post, besides the bookcase TV idea, my other suggestion was to place a couch and loveseat or couch and two chairs (whatever combination you have and works best) across (i.e. parallel) from each other, perpendicular to the hearth. The back of the couch doesn't face the f/p - it would face either the exterior door or the side wall w/kitchen door (your preference). As mentioned above, you can place a console table behind the couch, if you don't care to walk into the back of it.

Assuming your room is large enough, this method allows you to set up dual focal points for the room. This way, you can enjoy both the TV and f/p while sitting on either your couch or loveseat or chairs. It also provides a terrific conversation grouping, if you have company and simply want to enjoy the f/p.

Noticed initially that the couch in the photo appears miles away from the f/p so I suggested that you probably want to "float" the furniture, i.e. move it away from the walls. Sometimes marking off the sizes of your furniture on the floor with blue painters' tape helps to confirm that you'd have sufficient room to walk around it, comfortably.

So, assuming you have the same type furniture in the photo, the couch and loveseat could be across from each other with the rug and coffee table in the center. The TV and f/p are directly across from each other - the coffee table would be in the same line down the center of that portion of the room - the TV viewing/f.p zone. You can enjoy either focal point from either the couch, loveseat or chairs.

One of the great things about this method is it would allow you (again assuming you have sufficient space) to place a media console under the TV on the backwall.

Sorry if I didn't explain it well enough, above. Don't have a photo and don't know how to add a drawing to a post. Hope that helps. Let me know.

Good Luck!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

Thank you everybody for the ideas. We have an L shape sectional so we were hoping to try and work with that. If you look in that 3rd pic I sent.. Another thing somebody had suggested is similar to how you suggested BearCat. Except face the sectional toward the outside door and where the couch is now there is a door to the left and right.. they suggested putting a chair by the door that is on the left. The tv would then be in the corner where the chair and plant are in the pic. Does that make sense?

Sorry, I didn't see this previously so don't know if you're still around, googles.

Do you mean the small side of the sectional's on that back wall? If so, sounds like your sectional might be too large for the space. (It's unfortunately not uncommon to end up purchasing new furniture after moving.) I'd rather float the furniture, if possible.

Also, if I understand it, sounds as if that treats the space as 1 zone. If possible and the space allows it, I'd try to set up the f/p zone plus 2 small reading or desk/homework zones.

I'm also not a huge fan (for viewing reasons) of having a TV placed diagonally and competing with the f/p. So, if it were me, I'd go with a TV in one of the built-ins and/or a swing arm to place it directly in front of the conversation/seating area.

Don't know if you have sufficient space so I'd probably tape the room off to determine that before purchasing anything.

That's all JMHO, naturally. Good luck with your new home!

The sectional is 10' 2 " x 7' 2". From the edge of the fireplace to the wall where where couch is now is 16' Total is 16x22 1/2. I attached this image below. This is a drawing another person did for me. She was trying to use the sectional we have now and then just added a couple other pieces in the room.

I also like the idea of maybe trying to put a tv to the right in the built in shelves. How does that work though? My tv is to big. If I get the swing arm will the tv just hang outside the shelf and not actually find inside the shelf? Where do all the cables go too?

Any other suggestions and pics would be great. Thanks so much everybody!

Hi googles, that's a nice drawing to start with.

If it were my room, I'd pull the sectional off the wall, i.e. float it, go forward about 4' and slightly (1' or so) towards the left-hand side or more opposite the exterior door. That will leave you 2' to walk in front of it to either the f/p or left-hand built-in. It should leave you about 2' to walk around the long side of it and utilize the door by the left-hand built-in. (Hope that makes sense.)

You'll want to play with it and adjust as necessary. Assuming you utilize those 2 back doors more than the side one, that gives you 4' to circulate there. If you like, you could place a narrow console table (1') behind the L-side of the sectional or on the back wall. That still allows 3' to circulate back there.

I'd probably go with a long, narrow coffee table, placed parallel to the sectional's long side. Would also try to locate 2 open (open arms, possibly backs) to place opposite the sectional's long side, i.e. with their backs facing your exterior door. If you need another drink table (besides the coffee table), you can place a small one inbetween the 2 chairs.

WRT to the 2' clearance by the f/p, you're not staging so it seems like that'd be sufficient. JMHO but I believe this arrangement will give you a cozier space (closer to the f/p) and section off 3 zones - f/p / TV/conversation area, entryway/desk area and game zone.

WRT the TV area, I'd go with a smaller one (if necessary - they're relatively inexpensive). Would use the bottom 2 rows of the right-hand built-in for components. I'd remove the next shelf, using the next 2 rows (rows 3&4 from the bottom) for the TV. It'd be nice to cover or screen off the components so you may wish to have the built-in(s) spruced up or redesigned, e.g. cupboard doors added to bottom 2 rows. At the same time, you could add some moulding (to upgrade both built-ins) and/or also hide the TV behind doors, too.

The above configuration de-emphasizes the TV in favor of conversation. Don't believe you'd need a swing-arm but then again, you'll want to test it to make sure it's comfortable for viewing. As said above, it also gives you 3 distinct zones. If/when you move all your pieces around, you can determine if you have sufficient space and feel comfortable with that arrangement.

Thinking about decorating - do you have a rug for the sectional area? After doing the configuration, I'd probably update the lighting, too. I realize you didn't ask about that -

Hope some of that helps. As usual, it's JMHO.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,

Thank you. The TV we have now is to big to fit in the space with the shelves. Do people normally have a smaller TV to fit in spaces like that or do they use a larger TV with a swing arm and it just sticks out? I know my husband won't want to give up the larger TV. LOL

Also, I do have a rug but it's smaller. I think it's a 5x7 so I guess it will have to do for now. As far as the lighting, what were you thinking? In the first picture the fan was outdated and the previous owners replaced it with a newer one. Thanks.

In my experience, most home buyers purchase a TV to fit their new space. As the technology continues to improve and prices come down, they usually believe they're ready for an update, anyway. Then, they relocate the older TV to another viewing area, e.g. a den, family room or bedroom instead of placing it in their formal l/r space. (BTW, don't know if you consider this your f/r or l/r.)

Incidentally, I'm not a big fan of the swing-arms and wouldn't personally care for it in your space. (I wouldn't want anything to distract from the prominent f/p focal point but that's JMHO.) The comment I typically hear from others (without my prompting) is that they make spaces feel like hospital rooms. If you plan to live here for many years and can easily remove it before listing your home, no problem.

WRT the lighting, happy to hear the sellers upgraded the fan. Usually they purchase something cheap and basic. I'm surprised they didn't leave the old one or at least update the photo.

If it were my room, I'd try to coordinate (not necessarily match, however) the fan with the entryway light. Currently, it doesn't appear that the entryway light's doing anything for you.

Same thing WRT your sconces. Again, I'd select my style for the home and coordinate all the lighting for these 2 spaces/3 zones. It might be a good idea to keep it simple for the sconces so they don't compete with the fan.

How about a couple of glowing candle sconces above the f/p? They're not needed for reading so you might consider them mood or accent lighting instead.

Overall, for your new home, it'd be a good idea to establish a lighting plan. Unless you want to match some things, it shouldn't be necessary to do everything at once. O.k. to stage it for budgetary reasons, if necessary.

Yes, sounds like you need a larger rug. You'll want one large enough to reach underneath both the sectional and the chairs opposite it. Once you select one, you can use the colors to further decorate your room and purchase accessories. More fun!

Good luck with everything - it's all JMHO.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BearCat49,