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That seems to be a "thing" now in many houses - even the house we are planning on buying [but that was NOT a selling factor for us - I think it will be dated in a few years, probably already] but..............
for those who HAVE this, how does it work for TV viewing? It seems the TV is a bit high. I think we are stuck because that is where the cable outlet is but personally I think I would hide it behind something.
Do they make a "wireless router" kind of things for TVs?
I dont like a high TV...I would be putting a fishtank or something in there.
I had a high buffet for my tv and ended up switching it out for something much lower.
I get a stiff neck looking at that thing. Maybe i am too short for these modern times.
;P
Location: Nothing could be finer... I'm in S. Carolina!!
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you could put a BIG painting over the hole. i don't like those holes either; it does seem high. my parents have their tv over their fireplace and i don't like it. my neck kind of starts to hurt looking up at it and i appreciate trying to combine focal points, but i would rather be comfortable watching a movie. can't really lay on the couch and look up and be comfortable.
I guess like many "home improvements" it was designed by someone who does not actually use it -- you know like putting two bedrooms walls together without an intervening closet, cabinets that are built for the jolly green giant, windows in places that prevent you from arranging furniture, etc.
When you put a flat screen tv above the fireplace you need to buy bracket to mount it too. When you go to the store to buy it you can pick out different types. We went to Sams Club. They had two different kinds. One of the types you can actually pull the tv off the wall like an accordion. The other one lets you tilt the tv down. We purchased the second one. The problem with the flat screen tv is they are light weight and you have to clamp it down to hold it in place. So even if you were to place it on a table or console you still have to have something to hold it down. Ours came with a recommendation from the manufacturer.
We love our tv over the fireplace. When you watch from your couch or chair you will look up but if the room is big enough it wont matter much. I guess its all a matter of taste preference.
We had this same dilemma when we bought our new home in April. The family room opens onto the kitchen/dining area. I opted for a lovely painting in the alcove over the fireplace instead and have kept this room a bit more formal. We have a small 1st floor den/study and watch TV in there.
We had the same structure in both of our homes. In the first home, we did have the opportunity not to place the tv in the alcove. So I bought a large cement urn and designed a floral arrangment in it. Then I placed this in the alcove.
The last house, we didn't have a choice. We had to put our tv up there. So when it was time to sell our house, I bought a large painting in front of the tv. I also enhanced the fireplace by adding brass sconces ( I painted them black) and put them on each side of the fireplace wall. It looked very beautiful!
I am all for putting a flat screen over the fireplace. A builder we are looking into even compensates for height by lowering the fireplace a few inches for viewing comfort.
What I am against is the alcove itself. I hate the alcove design and don't think it was the brightest idea. The alcove space determines the size screen you can have, and many of them I've seen had odd shapes.
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