TV/fireplace eyesore?

Evita
by Evita

Our family room has this terrible eye sore of a fireplace/TV built in. I need ideas on what to do to cost-effectively spruce the place up.

  21 answers
  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Dec 03, 2020

    You could just paint the tile, or you could build up wood around the fireplace to cover it. Trim it out around the fireplace and do a similar thing around the television opening.

  • Janice Janice on Dec 03, 2020

    Add some art and decorative items or colorful art above both areas to draw the eye away from them. t looks as though you do use your fireplace, but if you don', you could place some comfy decorative pillows on the area in front of the fireplace for extra conversation seating. You could also add some interest by painting.

  • Clay B Clay B on Dec 03, 2020

    To me, the fireplace is a focal point; so I'd build off that. I'd remove the TV hardware. Divide the TV space with a vertical pc of plywood and trim it out, paint it all up. On left side, maybe a small fireplace tool set, and on right side, stack some split firewood in there. Even if this is a gas fireplace, it would add to to focal point of the fireplace area. Or divide like i mentioned, and put stacked wood on left, and a few shelves on the right side for nick knacks or whatever; and put a small fireplace tool set on hearth. Either way, it would all tie in together, and you most likely will not have to do anything to the fireplace tiles. I would not make the old tv spot all firewood, as I think it would be overpowering. One easier option that requires no building of anything... Stack firewood on right side in a firewood holder, and put a fireplace tool set on left side. If you don't like it, add the divider. Hope this helps or leads you in a direction you or I may not have thought of.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Dec 03, 2020

    You have competing focal points: the tv and the fireplace. The fireplace is the permanent structure, I would remove the tv setup completely and either put it in another location of perhaps above the fireplace if it will fit. The whole of it is the room is too busy. I would continue the drywall down to the floor where the tv is.

    By looking at the area between the tv and the door, I really can't tell what the ledged area is. I would take that area out and again drywall to the floor.

    Once this is done, then decorate to taste and some color would not hurt.

  • Recreated Designs Recreated Designs on Dec 03, 2020

    I agree with the above that the fireplace and tv are just competing for your eye. I would remove the tv box and smooth out the drywall. I would then mount the tv on the wall so that it is higher and draws your eye up.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Dec 03, 2020

    You might be able to make the tv space a book case - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V33g4TWrnZw

  • William William on Dec 03, 2020

    I would get rid of the TV "box" "insert" and rebuild the wall. Mount the TV above the fire place. You can leave the insert and use it for wood storage but it's an eyesore.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Dec 03, 2020

    Oh my goodness - another poor floor plan caused by builders putting the fireplace in the corner! Also, as it is right up against the doorway, it looks squashed into the corner, and IMO, is not highly attractive.


    How often do you actually use the fireplace? Think seriously about it, and if you do still really want it in the room, then my suggestion is, as you will be re-drywalling the tv cut out anyway, to move it into the tv space.


    Mount the tv over the fireplace, on the flat wall, not on the angled wall where the fireplace presently is. This will make enable more versatile combinations of smaller pieces or furniture, and will make the task of arranging much easier.


    If you seldom use the fireplace, and want that room for tv watching, then I would suggest to remove the fireplace all together and sell it.


    Either way, you will gain a corner for furniture and lighting. There will no longer be two competing focal points and the overall space will seem larger.

  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 03, 2020

    I agree the TV box is an eyesore, get rid of it, fix the drywall and then mount the TV up higher on the wall on one of those swivel mounts with the wires hidden in the wall.

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Dec 04, 2020

    I might try painting the fireplace surround with the same color as your walls to make it blend in better. A decorative screen is also an easy update.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Dec 04, 2020

    Side note: What an odd placement for a tv. It doesn't seem it would be comfortable to watch it that low to the floor.

    Remove the tv mount and supports, paint white, and add shelving for a book case.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Dec 04, 2020

    Agree with the above posters remove the TV box it is too distracting.

  • Is there anyway you could tear out that TV box and make it into recessed shelving in the wall? Then hang a TV on the wall above the fireplace. Or, if that is too hard you could take out the TV hardware and make it into a little shelving area with pull out baskets on the bottom and a shelf on top that you could place decor items. I would then, move the TV above the fireplace and maybe do a gallery wall above the old TV space.

  • In my opinion the fire place is the focal point for the room. Yours has two in a very small place. I would box one in so you have a fireplace and TV about.

  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Dec 06, 2020

    You could remove the built in to the right and make it a cleaner space. Maybe sheet rock it.

  • Rebecca C De Baca Rebecca C De Baca on Dec 06, 2020

    We are in the process of getting rid of our fireplace, do not like where it is and will not be using it. As for this room, I agree with so many others, I have no idea why anyone would mount their tv on floor level. I would take it out of cubby hole, re do cubby hole, on right side I would cut that back to make it flush with that wall, and use a flat door on cubby hole that will make it like a hidden area, and put tv accessories in there. Mount tv above it and then I would remove fireplace and use it also as a hidden cubby hole, but you could have a chair and lamp, plants or whatever in that corner.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Dec 07, 2020

    I wouldn't want my television as low as the tv opening, but I agree that it could be a great place for a small built in. You can add shelves to the area and add books and blankets.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Dec 08, 2020

    Hi,

    I like the fireplace and would jut dress it with plants or ornaments if you are not going to use it. The TV hole in the wall is a whole different thing! I would remove all T.V bits and fix T.V on wall above and then add shelves to the recessed area for books or ornaments.

    Best wishes

  • Loleta Loleta on Dec 08, 2020

    If you're not willing to get into a nasty brickwork m, and provided light helps, I'd rather stuff it with plants.

  • Cathy Cathy on Dec 08, 2020

    I agree - take the TV box out. Extend the mantle to that wall and put storage below. Paint the fireplace white and the wall next to it black so the TV will 'disappear" when not on

  • Annie Annie on Dec 08, 2020

    It looks like if you took out the fire place and removed the hole/box for tv then you will have quite a bit more space. A couple nice lazy-boys and a side table perhaps...