Mounting a TV on a chimney breast in a Kent home

The three problems

Height, cables and heat. Most of the chimney breasts we mount TVs on are in Victorian terraces and 1930s semis in Medway, Canterbury and Dover, and the same three problems come up every time. A chimney breast puts the TV higher than a wall would, so the bracket usually needs to tilt. The cables have nowhere to go inside a solid brick breast. And if there is a working fire or stove below, the heat rising up the face of the breast is bad for the screen.

Height and bracket

The centre of the screen should be at eye level from the sofa, which is lower than most people put it. Where the fireplace forces it higher, a tilting or full motion bracket brings the picture down towards you. We bring the right bracket for the TV size and the wall.

Getting the cables out of sight

On a solid breast we chase a route or fit a slim trunking painted to match, run around the side of the breast into the alcove where the boxes live. On a boarded breast we go behind the board. Either way, power goes to a socket behind the screen so nothing hangs down.

Fires and stoves

If the fire is used, we measure the temperature on the breast face with it running and tell you honestly whether a TV belongs there. Sometimes a mantel shelf is enough of a heat break. Sometimes it is not.

Soundbars and speakers

A soundbar sits under the screen on its own bracket. Surround speakers go in the alcoves either side. Both are wired at the same time. Send a photo of the wall from the TV and audio page and we will price it. Planning a full media wall or cinema room? See first fix for extensions and renovations.