The TV has a bad rap for a decor “culprit,” particularly when you mount the flat-screen version above a fireplace mantel. But often, that is the ideal place for it. A fireplace is the room’s focal point, and as such, deserves the help of good-looking adornment over it. Show off your style smarts by concealing the television in a creative way. Camouflaged in one decorative way or another — but nonetheless easy to access — your television earns its place over the mantel.
Picture This
Hanging a photo in the front of the TV is 1 way to get it visually from the way. The secret is in how you hang it; you need to be able to easily move it when it is time to tune in to your favorite show, after all. To get a television that protrudes from the wall, a photo with hinges on its own frame will not offer sufficient clearance, unless the fireplace is in a corner, but then, the positioning might be awkward. Rather, hang a lightweight picture with a decorative chain off a swing-arm-style curtain rod, bowed shower-curtain rod — to get a super-sized television — or double-curtain rod, each of which is designed to protrude.
Starring Roll
A mirror looks good over the fireplace, and one that rolls out of the way as needed is ideal in front of the TV. Suspend a mirror from the top of its frame on cables. Hang the cables from a sturdy monitor, like a track with rollers created for bi-fold doors or room dividers. Mount the trail to ceiling joists to maintain the mirror from crashing into the ground. The TV isn’t the only remote-controlled invention; look to get a wireless-operated track system, like one for big, heavy draperies to retrofit to your mirror. As long as it is strong enough, long enough, safely implemented and has end stops, the monitor carries the mirror from the TV’s way manually, or at the touch of a button, even if it is the remote control variant.
Shutter in
Shutters offer state or urban elegant appeal, but, on hinges, they won’t protrude far enough about a wall-mounted TV. So, create an integrated alcove for the television. If the fireplace flue or chimney behind the wall is in the way, build outward. Form faux pillars with secure backing from the ends of the mantel into the ceiling. Utilize the “pillars” to get sconce lighting or abandon them bare. In any event, they get shallow “walls” near each end of the television, and also the place to mount hinged shutters or doors using a profile or style that matches the mantel.
Block It Out
To get a space with high ceilings, then make the TV component of the over-mantel artwork, employing a color-blocking technique. Assess the television, and also form two TV-sized rectangles over it using painter’s tape. Evenly space the tape outlines and also the television a foot or less apart. Fill in each outline with glossy-black latex paint to match the TV’s end, or elect for 2 different high-gloss paint colors that go with your decor. You won’t be concealing it, but you will be smartly camouflaging it; the best aspect of the idea is that the TV is exposed and ready for you to turn on without hassle.