Open-concept living is everywhere in Fishers. Walk through Iron Pointe, Legacy at Hunter’s Run, or any of the numerous communities built by Pulte and M/I Homes, and you’ll find great rooms that flow wide and bright. High ceilings stretch upward, kitchen islands anchor the cooking space, and sightlines carry from front door to back patio. Yet for all the space and light, something’s missing: a true focal point.
That empty expanse of drywall where the TV hangs tells the story. What should be the heart of family living feels more like a placeholder. Floating TVs on blank walls may save floor space, but they kill the warmth and invitation that great rooms need. The architecture begs for something more intentional, more grounding, more permanent than a screen mounted to nothing.
We transform those blank TV walls into fireplace focal points that fit common Pulte and M/I layouts. Complete with hidden cables, soft-close cabinets, and proportionally scaled mantels, these build-outs anchor open-concept spaces while giving families the gathering spot they’ve been missing. Here are five smart approaches that work specifically for Fishers floor plans.
Why Floating TVs Kill the Vibe and What to Do Instead
The floating TV became popular because it cleared floor space and looked “clean.” But in a Fishers great room stretching 20 feet wide and climbing to 10-foot ceilings, a 65-inch screen floating on a blank wall looks lost. There’s no weight, no substance, no reason for furniture or family to gather around it. The room lacks a true center.
Compare that experience to a built-in fireplace wall where the TV integrates into trim and cabinetry. Suddenly the screen has context. Built-in cabinets below hide gaming consoles and remotes. Shelving on either side displays books and family photos. The fireplace provides warmth and ambiance even when the TV is off. Most importantly, the wall becomes furniture-friendly, couches face toward it naturally, creating conversation areas rather than media-watching rows.
For homeowners in Pulte’s “Stellar” or M/I’s “Summit Series” floor plans, where great rooms anchor the entire first level, this shift changes how the whole house feels. Instead of a room dominated by a floating screen, you get a space centered around warmth, character, and function. That’s the difference between living in a showroom and living in a home.
Framing Depths for Electric Inserts and Hidden Wiring
Electric fireplace inserts have become the smart choice for Fishers homeowners, especially in newer builds where gas lines weren’t pre-planned. No venting requirements, no HOA concerns, and the flexibility to add heat when needed without the maintenance of wood or gas. But the installation requires thoughtful framing and planning.
Most electric inserts need a rough opening between 23–26 inches wide and 20–23 inches tall. The key is building out the surrounding wall to accommodate both the unit and the electrical requirements. A proper build-out extends the wall by 4–6 inches, creating room for electrical runs, junction boxes, and the insert itself. This also allows space for decorative trim that makes the fireplace look built-in rather than dropped into a hole.
Hidden wiring is where professional installation pays off. Running electrical behind the new framed wall eliminates visible cords while allowing for separate switches for heat, flame, and any accent lighting. For M/I homes where the electrical panel may be on the opposite side of the house, planning the wire run before drywall goes up saves both time and expense. The result is a fireplace that operates like it was designed with the house from day one.
Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical Built-ins Beside the Hearth
The space flanking your fireplace determines how the entire wall feels. Symmetrical built-ins—matching cabinets or shelving on both sides, create formal balance that works beautifully in traditional Pulte floor plans. Asymmetrical layouts, where one side features built-ins while the other remains open, feel more contemporary and flexible.
Symmetrical designs work well when your great room centers the fireplace on the main wall. Matching floor-to-ceiling units with a combination of open shelving and closed cabinets provide storage while framing the hearth. This approach suits families who want display space for books, décor, and family photos while hiding electronics and remotes behind cabinet doors. The TV typically mounts above the fireplace, integrated into the overall composition.
Asymmetrical layouts make sense when architectural features like windows or doorways interrupt one side. A single built-in tower beside the fireplace can house entertainment components while the opposite side remains open for furniture or art. This creates a more relaxed, livable feel that many M/I homeowners in communities like Legacy at Hunter’s Run prefer. The TV might mount above the fireplace or integrate into the built-in tower, depending on viewing angles and furniture placement.
Mantel Choices: Stained vs. Painted with Sample Considerations
The mantel sets the tone for your entire fireplace wall. Stained wood mantels in rich walnut or oak tones add traditional warmth that complements Fishers homes with exposed beams or hardwood floors. Painted mantels in crisp white or soft grays feel fresh and contemporary, working especially well with the light palettes common in newer Pulte and M/I builds.
Stained mantels work beautifully when you want the fireplace to feel like furniture. A thick, solid wood beam in natural walnut creates substantial presence, especially in larger great rooms where scale matters. Cherry stains bring warmth without the heaviness of darker woods, while lighter oak stains bridge traditional and contemporary styles. The key is matching the stain to other wood tones in your home—flooring, cabinetry, or built-in shelving.
Painted mantels offer more flexibility with décor and seasonal changes. White mantels feel classic and allow artwork, greenery, or seasonal décor to pop against the clean backdrop. Soft gray mantels add sophistication while remaining neutral enough to work with changing color schemes. Black painted mantels create dramatic contrast, especially effective in homes with white walls and light floors. The painted approach also allows the mantel to blend with built-in cabinetry for a cohesive, custom look.
Proportional Scaling for Fishers Floor Plans
Fishers great rooms vary widely in size and ceiling height, from cozy M/I designs around 16×18 feet to expansive Pulte layouts that stretch beyond 20×24 feet. Your fireplace build-out must scale appropriately, or it risks looking either overwhelming or insignificant.
For smaller great rooms typical in M/I’s “Summit Series,” a fireplace build-out extending 8–10 feet wide and reaching 8–9 feet tall provides presence without dominating the space. The mantel might be 6–8 inches deep, with flanking built-ins that don’t project more than 12 inches into the room. This creates focal presence while preserving furniture placement options.
Larger Pulte great rooms with soaring ceilings can handle and need more substantial installations. A fireplace wall spanning 12–16 feet wide and reaching full ceiling height creates the drama these spaces deserve. Deeper built-ins extending 18–24 inches provide meaningful storage while the mantel can be 10–12 inches deep for substantial presence. The key is ensuring the TV mounting height remains comfortable for viewing while the overall composition feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
Why These Build-Outs Work in Fishers Homes
Fishers new construction emphasizes open living, high ceilings, and flexible spaces that adapt to family life. But these strengths can also create challenges rooms that feel cavernous, walls that seem endless, and spaces that never quite feel finished. Smart fireplace build-outs address these issues directly.
By creating a substantial focal wall, you give open-concept spaces natural gathering points. Families have somewhere to center furniture, guests have something to admire, and daily life has a backdrop that feels intentional rather than temporary. The combination of fireplace warmth, integrated technology, and custom storage makes these build-outs both beautiful and highly functional.
Most importantly, these installations respect the architectural integrity of your Pulte or M/I home while adding the custom details that make it uniquely yours. They don’t compete with the open-concept flow—they complete it.
Ready to See 10 Fishers Fireplaces Before and After?
At Radford Woodworks, we’ve completed dozens of fireplace build-outs in Fishers communities from Iron Pointe to Legacy at Hunter’s Run. Whether you’re working with a Pulte “Renown” great room or an M/I “Summit Series” layout, we design fireplace walls that feel like they belonged from day one.
View our 10 Fishers fireplace transformations and get pricing for your specific floor plan. Call (317) 739-8555 or visit radfordwoodworks.com/contact to schedule your consultation.
Your great room has the bones for something special. Let’s build the focal point it deserves.
