Rant: PSA to builders, housewives, and general complaint


In our search for a new house, I’m seeing some disturbing and annoying trends, mainly, living rooms where the ONLY place to put a TV is way high above a fireplace. This leaves zero flexibility for tv placement, additional audio components etc. Most don’t even have plugs. I'm also in Texas and there's ZERO need for a fireplace.

Not to mention all the "open concepts" we’re seeing where the living room is strangely shaped and the kitchen is basically in the room where you hear all the kitchen noise and you’re 100% accessible to your spouse and their conversation (ramblings).

This isn’t a problem if you have $2m to spend but for most of us, we’re limited in where we can set up our toys and this does not help.

Thank you for listening.

dtximages

Fortunately I've never lived in any house or apartment that had a fireplace...save one....and above a FP is the last place I'd want to put one....😣

Having a flat screen over a heat source seems idiotic....not to mention the nearly inevitable soot if you use the FP frequently enough....

As a 'fan-person' of architecture for the bulk of my existence, there's rare examples of current home design and detailing that even begins to give a nod to acoustics.

'Open plan' designs do pose a challenge that, for the most part, engender surrender...😒   The 'best' (🤷‍♂️) I can think of would be an 'alcove' with the 'back wall' non-existent....opening into the open plan general living space....

...that entry/living room/dining/kitchen 'barn'....*L*
Or just giving up....go to a distribution system with drivers every 12', and sensors that 'follow' you around....

The 'immersive option'.... ;) 😏😆

I've been struggling with the same scenario for years, and have come up with the perfect solution. @larsman is correct - MantelMount is 1/2 the solution. You add a Media Decor https://mediadecor.com/product-category/moving-art-screens/ piece of art to cover your television. When you want to watch TV, the art rolls away, and the MantelMount MM860V2 automatically lowers the TV to the correct height. Our company has been installing this solution for a year and it works great!

And this is exactly why I designed and custom built my current home (at least that's what my wife always says)

My solution to the TV issue involved a free standing fireplace between the dining area and living area.  TV was on the far wall opposite the fireplace.  Large windows on the outer wall.  The room has multiple focal points that don't compete.