We think a fireplace is the defining feature of a media wall. After all, a flat-screen TV is just a big rectangle. Fireplaces, on the other hand, offer many opportunities to combine the decor of your room and dazzle with a beautiful display of colorful flames.
So, if you're considering adding a media wall to your home, what should you consider when buying a fireplace for it?
Would it be suitable?
Is the fireplace you're looking at right for your media wall? Some fireplaces are designed to hang on the wall, while others (called built-in fireplaces) are designed to sit in recesses. For a seamless, sleek media wall, you'll want to choose a built-in fireplace that's flush with the wall (though you can buy some built-in fireplaces with frames or other decorative elements).
Heat output
Make sure you choose a fireplace that has a front heater. You want the heat from the fire to be dissipated into your living room, not lost in the cavity of the media wall. Watch out for built-in fires with "front heaters".
Design
Built-in fireplaces are available in a variety of designs, from traditional to modern. When choosing your fire, be careful not to consider its design in isolation. How will it complement your TV (and other media wall features)? To achieve a media wall with a cohesive look and feel, consider design elements holistically.
Clearance
It's important to check the manufacturer's guidelines on how much space you need to leave around the fire. Fortunately, electric fires don't create a real flame, and with a front heater, the heat escapes from the walls. However, it's worth double-checking to see if the manufacturer specifies how much clearance is required above, below, and behind the fire.
