Fireplace Mantel With Flatscreen TV

tcleve4911

I have been asked to build a surround for a gas fireplace insert with a mantel and flat screen above it. The insert will be inside the building so the "box" that it will sit in will also be inside the building.

Any plans, or pics?

All painted
Craftsman style
Approx 30"w x 20"D x 28"H

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loneframer

Here are a couple examples, but really don't fit craftsman style.

Gus Dering

Not sure what you mean "inside the building"
got pics?

basswood

These are the last couple of fireplace and flatscreen jobs I did. Not real big on these arrangements, personally--the TV ends up being positioned too high--even with an articulating TV mount. To optimize TV viewing, it would be better to stack the fireplace on top of the mantle and put the TV inside there.

That said, I don't turn these projects down.

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KMac

I love that mantle Bass - clean lines - seems like it's proportioned perfectly.

basswood

They wanted a stout look, to balance the mass of the brick monolith (but not too heavy or too rustic) and something modern and traditional at the same time.

No problem.

Simple little project, but I lost some sleep over it.

I ripped off the corbel design from the bottom of the train station bracket template I had in the shop.

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loneframer

I agree in most situations the TV is too high for comfortable viewing, but we have done this in master suites and it seams this is a desireable height for bedtime viewing. In any case, I won't turn them down either. I always wanted to insert a TV in the firebox location, you can get a Yulelog dvd for those times when you want to set the mood.

basswood

That and the enemy of electronics is heat... so lets put the expensive, sensitive, electronics right above the fire.

Oh well. I say give the people what they want.

KMac

What appears to be simple is often very challenging. Anyway looks great!

basswood

Thanks. I think I like it better than most fancier mantles... especially in this application.

GregS

Just tell them this.. TV has been viewed at eye level for the last 60 years. There's a reason for that.

Just make sure they have enough depth in the room so they don't have to crank their neck enough.

And also remind them that building a niche to fit the TV means that it probably will not fit the next TV.

I've mounted about 40 TVs over fireplaces and hate it.. but I also do not turn down those jobs

tcleve4911

Good ideas and thanks everyone.
I'll post some pics as I get started.
You are all great to work with

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doubleup16

I just built a mantle and entertainment center for a customer and came up with what I thought to be a genius idea to run the wiring. Just thought I'd tell you that.











Ok, so really though. I ran an electrical conduit inside the mantle, over to the entertainment center so that all the wires were not even seen. I haven't ever seen this so if it is common, ignore me. I was pretty thrilled with the idea. It was so easy to fish the wires through to hook the TV up. Anyhoo YMMV.

CarpenterMatt

I think partnering a TV with a mantle is an ugly marriage. Just not functional, but as said previously if thats what they want, give it to them. The mantle should be left with the heater, go watch telly somewhere else. Basswoods built in concept works better for an entertainment dedicated room, but I just think the TV should be down at eye level......imagine staring up at that for the rest of your days with a cranked neck.......that would really bug me. The problem is when the TV is in the correct place, it's pretty close to the floor & anything built over the top of it has to be "good design". The current in vogue look puts the TV on a long low cabinet, flat screen, minimalism. Doesn't fit with the mantle concept though.....glad I'm not doing this one I'd lose sleep & be frustrated. I suppose the best outcome is to make it look good, something you can be pleased with.

Tom R

Hey, T,

Here's a painted one I did a few years back, not craftsman-style, but still might give you an idear or two . . .

greg24k

Nice work Tom

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tcleve4911

Tyhanks for the replay Tom. Some good " idears " there.
Components and cable boxes are always an issue.

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