When you are building a new home or doing a major renovation of your house, you have the freedom to design the layout of each room and position the various elements in a room to your preference. However, if you are working within the confines of an existing living space, your options may be limited – especially when it comes to positioning your television and gas fireplace together.
To help you decide, here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself first:
- Have you got an existing fireplace, surround or mantel? Or are you building or installing a brand new fireplace?
- Do you have to work around furniture, artwork or any built-in cabinets?
- How big is the room? How much wall space is available?
- How close can the TV get to the fire?
- Do you want the TV visible or concealed?
- What material or finishing are you using around the fireplace? Is the material suitable for a TV?
Depending on your space, the look and style you want along with the existing floor plans and furniture layout, the options available to you will vary.
To begin with, not all gas fireplaces can have a TV positioned near them. However, all Escea gas fires are Zero Clearance rated, which means they can be surrounded in almost anything and have a TV positioned as little as 200mm above. Escea makes them work together, not against each other.
Here are 4 ways you can position your TV with your Escea fireplace.
1. To the side of the fireplace
Depending on the wall space, you can position your TV to the side of your fireplace to visually lengthen the size of the room. It will also give the fireplace some breathing room and create negative space (which is great for reducing the distraction of TV while enhancing the fire’s ambience and impact). The TV and fire don’t compete, but rather complement each other.
Since the surround design isn’t reliant upon a TV, the fireplace can still be a feature in its own right with your own choice of materials and finishes giving it a unique touch.
Image: Escea DL1100; Design by Keen Architecture; Image by Dion Robeson
2. Above the fireplace
“Can I hang my TV above the fireplace” is a frequently asked question by customers. The answer is a resounding “Yes” if it is an Escea gas fireplace. All Escea gas fires offer an industry-leading minimum clearance of just 200mm above a TV, allowing the TV to be positioned safely on top of the Escea fireplace.
This position is particularly recommended for smaller rooms that don’t have a lot of wall space. Positioning the two appliances together will also draw your eye to one central spot, ensuring your attention is on both the flames and TV, at the same time.
If you are undecided about hanging art or TV above the fire, take a look at the Samsung Frame TV. Its ability to be disguised as art when off, makes it possible to have all three on the same wall.
Learn more about matching your TV size to your fireplace here.
Image: Escea DS1400; Design by Wolveridge Architects; Image by Derek Swalwell
3. Out of sight
Hidden televisions are trending in interior design, and thanks to Escea’s innovative Zero Clearance technology, both the fireplace and TV can be built into custom cabinetry. This seamless installation allows a sliding panel to conceal the television when it’s not in use, ensuring the focus is entirely on the flames without distractions, thereby, maximising the ambience.
Image: Escea DX1500; Design by Richard Cole Architecture; Image by Simon Wood Photography
4. Freestanding
A freestanding fire comes with an exposed flue, which means you cannot position your TV above the fire. Instead, you can position it to the side of the fire – either wall mounted, perched on the hearth, or sitting on a cabinet.
While the exposed flue visually heightens the room, the TV to the side of the firebox will provide an anchor in the room, creating balance between the two appliances. The freestanding fireplace also works well with freestanding televisions, such as the new Samsung Serif.
Image: Escea DFS730; Design by Adam Taylor Architects; Image by Simon Devitt
