Above Fireplace Decor Ideas

We are very lucky to have two fireplaces on our first floor. My husband loves a good fire and while it wasn’t always a high priority on my list, I’ve really discovered how nice it is to cozy up in front of the fire. And how beautiful a fireplace mantle can look, especially during the holidays. Our last home had a beautiful fireplace and mantle in the living room, which was really the main room where we hung out and watched TV. For that reason, we did what some in the design world might call a faux pas — we hung the TV over the fireplace. It was really the only place it made sense and we could fit a large enough TV to make my husband happy and it worked with the space and our lives. Now, we have a family room, where we did hang a TV above, and a formal living room, with a fireplace and since we’re (but really me) finally starting to decorate our living room, I’m now searching for above fireplace decor ideas.

If you’ve been struggling with the question, what should I hang over the fireplace as well, it can be more complicated than just finding a great piece of art or a pretty mirror. The fireplace is usually the focal point of the room, so what you choose to put above it is important. You want to get the proportions right so it fits with the size of the mantle/fireplace, and you also want to make sure it makes the right statement to really fit the vibe and decor of the space. I have been spending some time researching above fireplace decor ideas, so I’ll share some of my favorites as well as some tips for to consider when looking at above fireplace decor ideas.

How to choose above fireplace decor:

Get the Size Right: Before we dive into above fireplace decor ideas, keep in mind the size of your space. According to Arthousesf.com, “typically, we’d like to have 6-8 inches of empty wall space around an artwork. So-called “breathing room” or negative space around the art. The frame around the work should be 6-8 inches on all sides. This will create a virtual “frame” of empty space. The empty space should be evenly distributed on the top, bottom, left, and right sides.This means the ideal art above a fireplace should be 36-48 inches wide, or the size of the mantel shelf minus twice the margin around the artwork.” The example they give is to choose a painting that is 40 inches wide for a the fireplace mantle that is 60 inches wide, which gives 10 inches of white space on each side to give the painting breathing room and create a visual frame around it.

Consider a Mirror: If you’re into Feng Shui, you may want to go for a mirror. “In traditional Feng Shui, fireplaces send energy out of a home. To combat this, place a mirror over the fireplace to bounce energy back in. If you have décor on your mantle, choose design elements that come in pairs, such as placing a vase on each end of the mantle,” accordsing to Mtnmanchimney.com. Personally, I love how a mirror looks. For at traditional fireplace, a rectangular mirror usually works, but I’ve seen some beautiful sunburst and round options that play well with the space and decor flanking each side.

Go for One Large Painting: A nice statement piece of art that fits with the colors of your space can make a big impact over the fireplace and is worth investing in. It can really set the visual tone for the room.

Hang a Few Pieces of Art: Its’ definitely more complicated to hang multiple pieces of artwork, so I recommend looking for art that’s all the same size and sticking to symmetry if you don’t have help from a pro, but if you feel like getting artsy and have the eye for it, you can certainly play with other arrangements.

Don’t Overlook a Plate Wall: I love the idea of hanging an arrangement of collected plates over the fireplace, especially in spaces with lower ceilings or if you have a fabulous collection.

Frame the TV: Obviously, this one is not the top of most designer’s lists for above fireplace decor ideas, but if it makes the most sense for how you’ll use the space and for the space itself, hang the TV. IMO it’s better to use the space than have it sit empty and if a TV will help with that and that’s the best spot for it, then hang the TV. If you’re going to hang the TV over the mantle, use a frame TV and try to stick to the same rules for size outlines above.