i guess the kids can lay on the floor and look up at the tv but i suggest on the wall above the cardboard box after those cds are relocated to some new more generous shelving under the new TV space and full width tall shelving in the blank space beside the fireplace..

Thanks oklouise but the cds are on the wall unit that's fixed to the floor and can't be moved. Even if there was another wall to move it to (and we patched the holes it would leave in the floor). Behind the cardboard box are cupboards below the shelves - the unit is identical to the one behind the dining table. On top of the cupboards are the record player and all manner of stereo components - all hidden for now, sorry should have moved the box before I took the pic! Appreciate the prompt feedback - any other thoughts?

I guess then there's no option but above the fireplace and you can buy a TV mounting arm for the TV (ours was about $50) and makes the viewing angle more comfortable in awkward spaces but it's a pity the units are taking up so much wall space cause the wall should be able to accommodate the TV and the CD's

I know this is the problem. I can't recall if the glass shelves are fixed or not as they would need to go higher to fit the height of the TV. I think they are. We could put some of the stereo stuff higher up but not the record player, obviously. And I haven't even mentioned where the play station, xbox etc could go! Sigh. I'll take another look at the units - thanks again.

How many people will be watching TV usually?

It varies, I have 2 kids so when their friends come round, there could be a crowd. We do have another TV out the back as well. The red chairs aren't usually in the middle of the room but get put there for playing play station etc. I gave up putting them back every night :)

The sofa is under the main window in the first pic. The TV is side on to the right in that photo

I'm also worried about the old plaster actually taking the weight of a bracket. It's very hard to put a screw into our walls, the plaster falls away like talc. And the shelving units are too short by a couple of cms (If they went to the wall we couldn't open and close the bifolds). Ah well. Thanks for all your suggestions. Much appreciated!

Thanks bigreader, I wish we had a blank wall! There's a very large original abstract on the wall opposite the fireplace in the dining room - plus the room is smaller to allow for the corridor that leads to the back of the house.

Hi Alexa

Just a thought......does the fireplace ever get used? If not, I'd buy a low slung tv cabinet that can house PS, Xbox, etc in it and have the tv below the mantle. Having it as wide as the mantle would make it cohesive, and probably fit better over the hearth.

Julie

Thanks Julie but yes they do get used. We have gas heaters in the grate that look like log fires and are very efficient in winter.