It is a common sight in many modernized households to see flat screen TV’s mounted above the fireplace.  Technology has progressed so much in the last decade making TV’s thinner and thinner (could someone find a way to apply that technology to me, please? Pretty please?!?).  In many homes, the mounted television has replaced the omnipresent mirror as the go-to accessory over the fireplace. Our house is no exception:

I’ve talked before about wanting to get a larger TV to replace our modestly-sized older model.  I know for a fact that Rick would love any TV over the 50″ mark. Whilst that is a whopping-sized television, I have to admit that it would fit the space above the fireplace much better than our current one.  Here’s a mock-up of what the fireplace might look like if we invest in a larger TV:

But here’s the problem.  When the television is not in use, it can become a big black eyesore.  So what are some of the options out there for covering the TV? A quick googley  and a common solution pops up.  Turn the television into a piece of art!  The simplest option is to frame the TV in, making it look more placed and grounded, rather than randomly floating above the fireplace.  Or you can go a step further and cover the TV with artwork of your choice.  It can simply be hung in front of the TV, or you can invest in a mechanized system that, at the a touch of a button, rolls out the artwork when the TV needs hiding, then rolls back in place when the footy comes on.

These systems can be expensive, but there should be a way to DIY this set-up for less moolah.  Another fab (but expensive) option is to cover the TV with a two-way mirror:

Advanced beam splitter mirror technology (which I don’t pretend to understand!) enables you to watch the TV as normal when it is turned on, but when you turn off your TV, it is transformed into a decorative mirror.  I’m not sure if it would be possible to DIY this set-up given the speciality glass, but this solution definitely combines function and style well.

What solutions are you using / have you come across that hide the TV?  Do you prefer the artwork idea, or the mirror one?  Or something else? Or maybe you’re not bothered that the TV is on display when not in use.  Spill it.

Can you tell the time at all? Yep, cos you’re a huge mirrored clock I found for a bargain at HomeGoods!

Right now, its sitting above the fireplace mantel in the left-side living room (ignore the mudded sheetrock that needs to be painted and the outdated brass ceiling fan peeps). 

I think the scale is perfect – the clock looked really huge in the box, but put above the fireplace, it fits the space well. I am tempted with the idea of moving it to the dining room though.  I think the shiny feel would go well against the charcoal grey walls and bring a bit more drama to the room. Check out this gorgeous mirrored clock and see how it is complimented by the grey background (image source: Red Candy)

I haven’t decided yet, but for now, it will stay in the left-side living room.  I’m going to have to come up with better names for the two front rooms. Parlor?  Too Victorian-esque.  Lounge? Too Vegas piano bar.  Drawing room? We don’t … draw. Maybe we should just name the room after its main function.  The BDSM room?  Just kidding.  Anyhoo, I digress…

Getting back to scale and dimension, we have our TV sitting above the fireplace in the right-side living room (I think we can safely call this the TV room).  Our 32″ flat screen is looking very sad and small in relation to the space.  Rick is using this rationale to reason that we have to NEED to upgrade our TV to at least a 52″.

I’d love to upgrade to a larger TV, but I don’t think we NEED one right now.  All in good time, my dear husband, all in good time.