How to Ensure Outlets Are Installed Correctly Over a Fireplace

Mounting a TV over a fireplace has become a timeless design choice in both new construction and remodels. When it’s done correctly, the result is clean, balanced, and built to last. When it’s done wrong, it leads to failed inspections, blocked mounts, exposed wiring, overheating equipment, and expensive rework.

The biggest mistakes we see don’t come from the TV mount itself—they come from poor outlet placement during rough-in.

This guide explains exactly how outlets should be installed over a fireplace, based on real-world mounting requirements, standard stud layouts, and long-term serviceability—not guesswork.

Why Fireplace TV Outlet Placement Is Different

A fireplace wall is not a standard wall.

It introduces:

• Heat considerations

• Mantel clearance rules

• Masonry or stone substrates

• Limited stud access

• Tight tolerances for flush TV mounting

Because of this, outlet placement needs to be intentional—not “close enough.”

Incorrect placement can:

• Block recessed or in-wall TV mounts

• Prevent the TV from sitting flush

• Force surface-mounted raceways

• Violate manufacturer heat ratings

• Fail electrical or building inspections

Most of these issues are preventable with one simple layout decision.

The Most Important Rule: Keep the Center Stud Bay Clear

If a TV may ever be installed over a fireplace, the center 16” on-center stud bay must remain completely open.

This center bay should be:

• Centered directly over the fireplace

• Free of electrical boxes

• Free of low-voltage rings

• Reserved for the TV mount or recessed enclosure

Why This Matters

Most quality TV mounts—including recessed and in-wall mounts—are designed to fit inside a standard 16” on-center stud cavity.

If you place an outlet in the center:

• ❌ Recessed mounts won’t fit

• ❌ Mounting plates collide with electrical boxes

• ❌ The TV can’t sit flush

• ❌ The install becomes custom, costly, or impossible

Leaving the center bay open preserves compatibility, flexibility, and future upgrades.

Where the Outlets Should Go (Exact Placement)

Instead of placing outlets in the center, they should be offset to the adjacent studs.

Recommended Layout

• 🔌 Power outlet

  • Mounted to the first stud to the LEFT of center

  • Box physically attached to the stud (not floating)

  • Recessed-style outlet recommended

• 🔧 Low-voltage box

  • Mounted to the first stud to the RIGHT of center

  • Box physically attached to the stud

  • Used for HDMI, Ethernet, audio, or control wiring

  • Recessed-style outlet recommended

This layout:

• Keeps the center bay clear

• Allows recessed TV mounts to fit cleanly

• Prevents conflicts with mounting hardware

• Looks clean behind the TV once installed

Vertical Placement: 12–15 Inches Above the Mantel

Outlet height matters just as much as horizontal placement.

Vertical Rule of Thumb

Both the power outlet and low-voltage box should be installed:

➡️ 12 to 15 inches ABOVE the top of the mantel (vertical measurement)

This spacing:

• Keeps outlets safely above rising heat

• Aligns with most TV mounting heights

• Allows room for mantel deflection

• Works across a wide range of TV sizes

Always verify:

• Fireplace manufacturer specs

• TV manufacturer heat tolerances

• Local code requirements

But in most residential installs, 12–15 inches above the mantel is the practical sweet spot.

Use Recessed Boxes—Not Standard Outlets

A standard electrical box behind a wall-mounted TV often causes:

• The plug to push the TV forward

• The mount to sit unevenly

• Visible gaps or tilt

Best Practice

• Use recessed electrical boxes for power

• Use recessed low-voltage brackets for signal wiring

This allows:

• Flush TV mounting

• Hidden cords

• Reduced strain on connectors

• A clean, professional finish

If the TV can’t sit flat, something upstream was installed wrong.

Don’t Forget Low-Voltage Wiring

Power alone isn’t enough.

Any fireplace TV install should also plan for:

• HDMI (with future upgrades in mind)

• Ethernet (far more reliable than Wi-Fi for streaming)

• Audio wiring (soundbars or surround systems)

• Control wiring (IR, automation, smart home)

Running these after stone, brick, or drywall is finished is:

• Messy

• Expensive

• Often avoided altogether

Planning them during rough-in is old-school wisdom—and it still wins every time.

Heat: The Silent Problem Behind Fireplace TVs

Even when outlets are placed “correctly,” heat can still be an issue.

Consider:

• Gas vs wood-burning fireplaces

• Mantel depth and deflection

• Stone or tile heat retention

• TV manufacturer heat ratings

A simple test:
If you can’t comfortably hold your hand where the TV will sit while the fireplace is running, it’s too hot.

Outlet placement alone won’t solve that—but poor placement will make it worse.

Builder & Remodeler Guidance: Make This the Standard

For builders and remodelers, this layout should be treated as default best practice, not a special request.

Standardizing This Layout:

• Reduces change orders

• Prevents failed inspections

• Keeps electricians and AV teams aligned

• Delivers better results for homeowners

Leaving the center bay open and offsetting outlets is a small rough-in choice that prevents big finish-stage problems.

Why DIY Fireplace TV Installs Often Fail

Fireplace walls are where DIY installs most often go sideways.

Common mistakes include:

• Centered outlets blocking mounts

• Extension cords or power strips (not allowed)

• Ignoring heat exposure

• No low-voltage planning

• Mounting too high just to “clear” the fireplace

A fireplace wall is one place where professional planning pays for itself.

The Treasure Valley Solutions Standard

At Treasure Valley Solutions, every fireplace TV install is designed to be:

• 🔒 Code-compliant

• 📐 Properly spaced and centered

• 🔧 Compatible with recessed mounts

• 🔥 Conscious of heat and clearance

• 🧼 Clean, hidden, and future-ready

Whether we’re working with homeowners, builders, or remodelers, we design these walls to work today and years from now.

Thinking About Mounting a TV Over Your Fireplace?

Before outlets are placed—or before you discover they’re in the wrong spot—it’s worth getting a second set of eyes on the plan.

A short consultation can prevent:

• Rework

• Inspection issues

• Equipment damage

• Compromised aesthetics

Good infrastructure disappears. Bad infrastructure never does.