One of the great advantages of electric fireplaces is that they are zero-clearance, and may be incorporated into furniture pieces and all types of wall materials. This offers lots of design versatility. It has also led to a category of media cabinets that incorporate fireplaces. These come in all shapes and sizes, but invariably include a very small electric fireplace, regardless of the size of the furniture piece. This type of TV stand with fireplace is convenient, portable and (usually) inexpensive. However, such a TV stand is also deeper than necessary, comes in limited finishes, and includes a fireplace that is much smaller than the most popular TV sizes. The result is a haphazard look that does not complement your home. As electric fireplace experts, we have seen the classic TV stand with fireplace come and go over the past 20 years. We have a few better wall design ideas that can incorporate an electric fireplace and TV, in all styles and budgets.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces with TV above
There are many electric fireplaces that may be mounted on the wall, without complicated construction. A wall-hung fireplace is generally linear in style, so it comes in widths that nicely balance popular TV sizes, from 50 inches up to 100 inches. Linear electric fireplaces are also the slimmest models, with depths as low as 4 to 6 inches. This means that they will not project out from the wall by much more than your wall-mounted TV. Pro Tip: Be sure that the heat blows out from the front of the fireplace and not from the top, to avoid damage to the TV above.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces will come with a mounting bracket that attaches to the wall, and the bracket will cross several wall studs. Once the bracket is secure, simply hang the fireplace on the bracket and plug it in. You can finish off your installation with a mantel ledge between the fireplace and the TV, or keep it simple and skip the mantel. Pro Tip: If you don’t want to see the electrical cord below the fireplace, remove the cord and have the fireplace direct-wired by a professional electrician.
Hanging your TV above a wall-mounted fireplace is a great option if you no long have other electronics, like a cable box, to attach to the TV. If you still have cable, or gaming consoles, you may prefer a cabinet option, with storage. Or, you can add a cabinet nearby.
Custom media cabinet with electric fireplace
If you like the idea of a media cabinet with storage, but are not fond of the typical ready-to-assemble TV stand with fireplace, you may want to consider a custom media cabinet. While it will cost a little more than the ready-made variety, it will also be made to your exact specifications. You can choose the size, the depth, the amount of storage, and the finish colour. Best of all, you can also build the cabinet around an electric fireplace that you love, and one that balances your preferred TV size. As it’s a piece of furniture, and not built-in, you still have the advantage of moving it or taking it with you to another home. Pro Tip: Not all electric fireplaces lend themselves to installation in a furniture cabinet. Look for fireplaces that slide into the cabinet from the front.
Built-in wall unit with fireplace
If you like the idea of a custom cabinet for your TV and fireplace, you could go beyond the media cabinet and have a built-in wall unit. This becomes a permanent fixture in the room, and can incorporate more than just the fireplace and TV. This option allows you to add display space, as well, using the walls around the TV for bookcases or floating shelves. If you are in your ‘forever’ home, investing in a built-in wall unit may offer more versatility, and can make a design statement in the room. Best of all, custom cabinets are built off-site, in a cabinet shop, and are brought to your home finished. This minimizes dust and mess at installation time. Custom cabinetry may be finished in any colour, and is sized to suit your space and your stuff. It’s a great option if you have extra-high ceilings, and furniture cabinets just aren’t tall enough to look good in your home. The price of built-in cabinets will vary greatly, depending on the quality of the materials, and the hardware. European soft-close hinges and drawer glides, for instance, cost more than regular hinges. Wood or good-quality MDF cost more than melamine. There are lots of ways to customize the cabinet, and the budget.
Built-in fireplace wall with TV
For those who like the idea of committing to a built-in solution for the TV and fireplace, but want to add stone or brick, with or without the cabinetry, you may want to build out a wall for the fireplace. Then, the TV may be mounted on the wall above, or you can create a TV niche, so the TV sits flush with the wall and the fireplace. This is the most custom wall design idea of all, because you have full choice of materials. If you need storage, you can add custom cabinets at the sides of the fireplace wall, or just add floating shelves on either side. Like the built-in cabinets, above, this option takes the emphasis off the TV and puts it on the design elements that bring the room together.
Amantii Pedestal cabinet for electric fireplaces
Sometimes, it’s possible to take an existing furniture piece, and turn it into a TV stand with fireplace. Such is the case with the pedestal cabinets that are made to fit some of Amantii’s electric fireplaces. This is a simple metal cabinet, ready-to-assemble, with space for one of their fireplaces, and an open area below the fireplace. You can style the open cubby with real logs, or use it for electronics, books, or anything else you want. It’s a stylish, inexpensive option that is offered on 4 sizes of the traditional TRD models, as well as the SYM-50-XT linear model.