Fireplace Mantels are now home theater furniture:
As the size and proportioning of TVs change so must the furniture that holds them. Just a few years ago a typical entertainment center for a big screen could be as much as 30 inches deep and up to 10 or more feet wide. This dimension was driven by the depth of the TV. Now that TVs are just 5 or so inches deep the old style entertainment center is obsolete. This leaves us cabinet makers scratching our heads wondering how we can build a cabinets and furniture to fit modern TVs. One option is to eliminate the cabinets all together. Many people are now putting their TVs above the fireplace. Though this location may not yield the best viewing height for a TV, it is still a place to consider installation for a whole host of reasons. The first of which is that it saves space in your home. Second, it creates a central focal point in your room. The TV and fireplace are no longer competing for focal attention.
Installing a TV above a fireplace will bring about its own unique set of challenges. Most of which can be dealt with by installing a well planed out mantel. A mantel can be a place to hide wires and hardware, as well as house your AV components. To further this idea it is possible to have storage for DVDs, CDs, remotes, and much more. Outlets and light switches can also be hidden in mantels as can accent lighting and home theather speakers! If the mantel is built with strength in mind, the TV can actually be set directly on it.
The point of this article is to call attention to the fact that traditional furniture is not necessary when dealing with modern flat panel TVs. Many unique options exist and if you are looking for a simple, clean solution for your TV, this is one to consider. If you have any questions about installing TVs above fireplace mantels, please feel free to contact Farrington Cabinet Works. In addition to building a media storage solution for you we can also install and wire your TV Also please take a look at the pictures below for more ideas.
This is a piece designed to match the arts and crafts styling of the house yet have all the modern convinces. It is still a work in progress in this photo.
This is a mantel with a flip up door, behind which is plenty of storage for all your AV equipment.
Here is one example where all wires have been hidden in chase ways and cabinets on either side house all necessary gear, creating a very neat and clean look. Smoke glass will be added later to conceal AV equipment.
This is a very simple, modern mantel built for a standard 42" TV to sit directly on it. Again, chase ways were used to hide all wires.