Mounting a TV above a fireplace seems like the most logical spot. It’s out of the way, looks nice, and is often the most convenient place to put it in a room. However, there are serious issues with such placement.
If you’re only planning to watch this TV occasionally, then it’s probably fine. But if it’s your main TV you’re going to watch for hours every day, make sure you read about all the potential issues mentioned below.
If you’re considering above-the-fireplace mounting, I’ll presume you’ve already considered how you’re going to run power and signal (HDMI or wireless) to the TV, and how you’re mounting it to the brick/stone/whatever. These are concerns too, but easily fixable. There are bigger issues, though.
Ever sit in the front row of a movie theater? Some people like it; most don’t. That sore neck you get from staring up at the screen? Imagine that every time you watch TV. Most people find staring up at something for long periods to be uncomfortable. Worse, it might seem fine at first, but then you develop a neck issue later.
Not surprisingly, one of the first Google autocomplete results after “TV over fireplace…” is “too high.” This isn’t a rare issue.
