Solved: Big TV and Fireplace In a Small Room DIY Project

Can a fireplace mantel surround plus an extra large screen TV fit in a small living room? Full-time nurse and DIYer Megan @meganmariehome always dreamed of having a fireplace mantel in her living room that she could decorate for the holidays. Meanwhile, her husband yearned for an 85-inch TV to watch his favorite sports teams. With clever DIY project planning and a versatile Touchstone® electric fireplace and TV lift mechanism, this married couple can have it all, even in a compact space.

The planning stage was made easier by Touchstone's accurate product dimensions.

How to Disguise a TV in Plain Sight

Megan shares, “I was so against the idea of having this giant TV in my living room which led me to thinking about how I could disguise it in plain sight. I started looking around at ideas and came across Touchstone® TV Lifts. I knew that's exactly what I needed to do, hide the TV inside of a custom-made fireplace surround.”

The Best Motorized TV Lift For an 85-Inch TV

The heavy duty, yet slim Whisper Lift® PRO XL Smart TV Lift Mechanism is the perfect hidden TV solution for an extra large TV screen. This motorized TV lift is made with durable steel to securely hold an 85” TV and is also equipped with a quiet motor that safely lifts the TV in and out of its compartment. With built-in smart home technology, the TV can be raised or lowered by remote control, mobile app, Google Home® or Amazon Alexa® smart home devices.

The Whisper Lift® Pro XL Smart TV Lift and the Forte® Smart Electric Fireplace fit perfectly.

Just the Right Fit into the Custom Media Cabinet

Meghan researched DIY projects featuring the Touchstone® brand, and she came up with a plan for a custom cabinet to house both the TV lift and electric fireplace. She chose the Touchstone Sideline Forte® Smart Electric Fireplace for its classic shape and smaller 40-inch size. She notes the accurate Touchstone product manuals helped her determine the space needed for the TV lift and fireplace.

This duo of Touchstone® products makes the most of the small living room.

Best of Both Worlds: TV + Electric Fireplace Media Cabinet

Featured in this project, the Touchstone Sideline Forte Smart Electric Fireplace offers realistic LED flames, a built-in heater and smart home connectivity. Like the Whisper Lift Pro TV Lift, the Forte can be controlled by remote control, mobile app, Google Home® and Amazon Alexa®.

“The TV will rise out of the mantel for when sports games are on, but when they’re not, it will lower back inside and you would never know it was there, the best of both worlds finally getting the fireplace and mantel I’ve dreamed of for so many years,” Megan shares.

For more project details, check out the project reel on Instagram @meganmariehome. 

Photo credits: @meganmariehome

More Resources

Check out these media cabinet DIY projects featuring Touchstone® Electric Fireplaces and TV Lift Mechanisms for more inspiration. 

Build Your Own TV Lift Cabinet, featuring Jon Peters Art & Home

Build Your Own Electric Fireplace Cabinet: Project Plans by Jon Peters Art & Home

RV Renovation: Fireplace Inserts and TV Lifts for RVs, Campers and Motor Homes