7 ideas when placing a TV over the fireplace
Have you ever wondered why media wall fires are booming in popularity? Well, it’s mainly because more UK homeowners are looking for a centralised entertainment system in their lounges.
Media walls combine our love for LED electric fireplace tech and binge-watching TV shows on the couch. With proper placement (and careful attention to your TV’s temperature specifications), you can kill two birds with one stone!
Our ten TV above fireplace ideas include practical suggestions, including tips on placement, mounting techniques and cable management. But we’ve also got some great tips on what to do after your TV and fire are installed.
1. Purchase an electric fireplace
The most exciting part of planning a media wall is picking your brand-new electric fireplace, and in 2025, shoppers have so many to choose from.
Brands like British Fires, Onyx Fires, and Solus have been pioneering media wall fires with their panoramic designs, each more luxurious than the last. You can find hole-in-the-wall fires, hang-on-the-wall fires: you name it, we’ve got it!
Just be sure to choose a fireplace that has all your favourite features. For example, if an authentic log fuel bed is non-negotiable, you’ll love the British Fires New Forest 1600 Electric Fire!
Are you more interested in a fire with colour-changing capabilities? Then a model like the Gazco eReflex 195RW Inset 1-2-3 Sided Electric Fire would work wonders in your media wall!
2. Compare TV and fireplace measurements: do they work together?
Central to media walls is the concept of visual balance.
It’s making sure that the two main features (your TV and fire) are a similar size, neither too big nor too small. Having a compact fireplace is all well and good, but pair it with a massive TV, and you may forget it’s there!
Equally, a larger-than-life fire (like the stunning British Fires New Forest 1600 Electric Fire) risks drawing attention away from a smaller television. So, before creating a list of your top five products, first consider measurements.
Industry leaders Stovax & Gazco have some great recommendations for sizing:
- 32” – 43” TV → 85cm wide fire
- 43” – 55” TV → 110cm fire
- 50” – 65” TV → 135cm fire
- 55” – 65” TV → 150cm fire
- 65” – 75” TV →195cm fire
These are useful guidelines, but they’re not strict. It’s more about using the measurements to make accurate estimations.
3. Check the TV’s recommended temperature specifications
Most, if not all, TVs will have information on how the appliance is affected by heat. For example, Samsung TVs can reportedly withstand temperatures of 40º Celsius (122º Fahrenheit).
Anything above this may irreparably damage crucial components of your TV’s electrical system (which could also void your warranty!) So, how can homeowners check the surface temperature of their walls?
Tape a thermometer to the wall where you intend to mount the TV. Switch on your fire and keep a close eye on the temperature. If it exceeds the temperature outlined in your TV’s technical specifications, it is highly likely to cause damage.
As one of our most sensible TV above fireplace ideas, this tip is to make sure you choose the setup that’s best for both appliances.
However, many of our electric fires for media walls have been designed for a fire to sit below a TV and therefore heat from the fire is blown out of the appliance and down, so it will have no effect on your TV.
4. Use safe mounting techniques
So, you’ve picked out a fireplace and TV that work well together, and you’ve made sure your appliance’s heat output doesn’t exceed that of your TV’s heat guidelines: what's next?
There are many ways to mount a TV, the most suitable choice depending on your appliance’s weight, size, whether there’s any drywall above your fireplace, and even if you have a deep mantle.
If you want the TV to sit as close to the wall as possible (and you don’t need access behind it), then a flush/flat mount may work best.
But if you know you’ll be swapping devices frequently or will need to adjust the angle, then an adjustable arm mount will be more appropriate. The main thing is making sure there is plenty of ventilation between the fire and the TV.
Homeowners can do this by creating a buffer zone between the two appliances with a shelf or mantel. You could also invest in a heat shield or build a recess to mount your TV on the wall. For this, we recommend seeking advice from a professional.
5. Test out the viewing angle
There is no point installing a mounting system to realise, after all that effort, the TV is much too high or low for comfortable viewing.
The viewing height of your media wall TV will hardly ever sit at eye-level for seated viewers (not unless you have a very low mantel). While eye-level is usually the recommended height, it can be slightly higher without impacting the view.
All this means is that you may want to mount it slightly downwards to avoid eye strain. You can test the angle prior to mounting with one easy exercise.
Using a paper template that matches your TV’s dimensions, tape it to the wall and sit in your usual seat. If you experience any discomfort, you may want to consider placing the mounting system higher or lower.
6. Manage cables, wires and power sources
We’ve all known the struggle of tangled wires, especially when multiple devices are in one area. What goes where, and how can you organise the mess without unplugging everything?
Cable management is an often-overlooked element of planning a media wall. If you plan to keep consoles, Firesticks, and DVD players with one television, you may need to invest in cable channels.
These inexpensive channels are great for concealing wiring and can even be painted to match your decor.
If your situation is more complex, for example, if no power sockets are nearby or you need to hide wires beneath the wall's surface, again, we recommend contacting a professional.
7. Use a drop-down projector
If the idea of mounting systems, stud walls, and tangled cables stresses you out, there are other options. A drop-down projector, for example, can be a wonderfully retro alternative to traditional televisions.
These mechanised panels rise and fall via remote-control operation, meaning that, when you’re not watching TV, you can put the projector away and enjoy your mantel.
FAQs
Is a TV over a fireplace a good idea?
Yes, provided the surface wall doesn’t exceed the maximum temperature the TV can withstand (which is usually around 40ºc).
Can you place a TV on a mantel?
Of course, you just need to mount the television safely and at an angle that’s appropriate for viewers.
Does it matter whether your fireplace is wood-burning?
Yes, wood-burning stoves can have significantly higher heat outputs than electric and gas fires, typically around 7–9 kW. These fireplaces should only be incorporated into large media walls, where the heat can disperse, and the TV can be well-ventilated.
How far above the fireplace should the TV be?
The TV should be far enough away from the fireplace that it isn’t immediately impacted by the fireplace’s heat output, but low enough that it doesn’t strain the neck or vision of a seated viewer.
