Decorating a Mantel with a TV

Earlier this week I posted about how to decorate your mantel.  I received quite a few emails from readers who have gone the flat-screen tv over mantel route looking for ideas on how to work with that arrangement.

There seem to be 2 schools on thought on working with a TV over a mantel - conceal it in some way when not in use or leave it on full display.

If you're REALLY committed to hiding the TV (ie. are prepared to spend some $$$), a company like Media Decor can give you a totally custom solution with everything from remote controlled art that swings out of the way to turning your TV screen into a mirror when not in use.  

Here's some decidedly lower tech options to consider under the "hide it" category.

A piece of art (or a mirror) mounted on a rolling track.  Roll it out of the way when you want to watch TV, roll it back when you want to conceal.  I feel like this could work well in an industrial loft setting. The exposed track would bother me in an otherwise homey family room environment.  Just me? 

 via Southern Living

Here's another slightly less industrial feeling solution.  These doors on tracks slide back to reveal the television beneath.

via Houzz

For a less structural (and less mobile) solution, you could DIY some canvas art to cover your TV when not in use.   See this post for a full tutorial. 

via Johns Journal

Somewhere between hide and embrace lie these solutions - making your actual TV look like art either by framing it in an ornate frame or including it in a gallery wall-like arrangement.

via Brooklyn Limestone

If you are not into concealing your TV but rather looking for ways to accessorize around it, I think your best bet is to keep things really simple.  After all, you're already starting with a very visually heavy piece (the TV).

Low arrangements work:

via Two Carolina Nesters

Simple symmetry works:

Why not just embrace it as a focal point and let the TV be the star.  An interesting wallpaper or paint treatment behind it let's your TV look purposeful and not like something you're ashamed of. 

Do you have your TV mounted over your fireplace?  This seems to be an increasingly popular place to have it and I've seen lots of newer homes with a layout that doesn't allow for any other placement.  Do you think it's a great modern alternative to the clunky media unit or are you more of a traditionalist when it comes to mantels?