A fireplace is often a central point in your lounge or bedroom… but so is your television. Of course, you want both to look nice in your room, but they often look a little bit tacky and out of place when you put them side by side. That’s why many people have turned to decorate their fireplace WITH their television, to give their room an added edge.
You can often place your television on the fireplace’s mantel if you have enough space, but many people will opt to mount the electronic device on the wall above the fireplace. How you decide to place your TV and decorate the area is entirely up to you, but we’re here to give you a few ideas to help.
5 mantel decorating ideas that work with a TV
Unsure of where to start with decorating your mantel when you’ve introduced a TV above your fireplace? Why not consider one of these ideas first:
Place the most focus on the ends
Your television will most likely be front and center above your fireplace and its mantel, so you don’t want to take too much attention away from the screen. If you place a bulk of objects right below the TV, it can look too cluttered and make it more difficult for people to focus on what’s playing on your television.
By spreading out the decor so that it is placed on both ends of the mantel, it provides your fireplace with a decent amount of decoration. In addition, if you stick to the golden rule of a maximum of three objects on each side, you’ll never miss out on your favorite show again.
Use short items to surround the TV
The whole point of placing your TV above your mantel is that you want a good view of classic movies and dramatic shows. However, placing tall items in front of or next to your television can make it harder to focus on what you’re watching. It can also disrupt the balance of all the other items in the vicinity of your TV.
The best thing to do is ensure your TV is the largest and tallest item above your mantel. Therefore, all other pieces of decor need to be fairly short and at the same height as each other. As a result, your TV will stand out, and you’ll have a beautiful mantel surrounding it.
Add some greenery with plants
This may not be for everyone, but if you have a green thumb, you may want to consider adding some plants to the mix when decorating your fireplace and its mantel. You don’t want to overwhelm the area with too many, but one or two can provide the perfect look for your room and keep the TV looking fresh.
Instead of opting for large plants that grow a few feet into the air, consider one that instead cascades down the mantel and adds unique visuals to the area. However, of course, make sure it isn’t in the way of where the fire burns because you may end up losing your beloved plants before their time.
Spruce it up with some candles
Candles make anything look nice. Have an empty bookshelf? Add some candles. Need to add a bit of decor to your room? Add some candles. Want your house to smell nice all year round? ADD SOME CANDLES! This is the same for your fireplace mantel and TV, however, there are certain candles you’ll want to display over others.
If you place candlesticks on your mantel, they risk being taller than your TV, and the open flame could lead to some damage you’ll regret. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to opt for container candles because they are shorter, come in all sorts of patterns and scents, and don’t pose as much risk to your setting.
Stick to a minimalistic layout
If you’re here looking for ideas on decorating your fireplace’s mantel, then it might look a bit bare at the moment. You obviously want to add something to it, but at the same time, you want to avoid adding too much. The best approach is to stay minimalistic, adding a few things here and there, but not enough to draw attention from your TV.
We recommend adding a candle or plant on each side of the TV on the mantel and then one or two other knick-knacks that fit in with the room’s aesthetic.
Considering your TV’s size
The size of your TV will also make a big impact on how you should decorate your fireplace. If you have a small screen, you can simply place it directly on the mantel and place your decor around it, following the ideas we provided for you above. However, if you have a much larger TV, you will most likely want to mount it above the mantel, giving you a bit more space to get creative when you decorate. Ensure you have considered your TV’s size and where you’ll place it before you start purchasing any candles and plants.
Other things to consider
Before you start decorating using the ideas we’ve provided you, take a look at some of these other considerations:
The cables
TVs, unfortunately, come with quite a few cables, and these cables need to be plugged into something near the fireplace. If your nearest power source is much further below the mantel, the wires can become unsightly. Consider investing in a power adapter or cable protectors to move them out of the way.
The fire
How often do you make use of your fireplace? And do you have protections in place to ensure your fire won’t affect your TV and your memorabilia? You may want to test out how hot your mantel gets before adding anything to it, and if it appears to get to a high temperature, you can put some precautions in place.
FAQs
Is mounting a TV over a fireplace a bad idea?
Not necessarily. As mentioned in the considerations section, there are preventative measures you can put in place to ensure the safety of your TV. Having the electronic device above your mantel is an excellent idea if your fire has been redirected from the TV.
Your TV and fireplace are both central points of a room, and having them together can tie everything into place. People will know where to sit and face when they visit; it just makes your room seem more homey. If you want to redecorate your place, adding the TV above your fireplace could make all the difference.
Can a fireplace damage a TV?
Yes, there is a chance that a fireplace can damage your TV. The best preventive measure for this is a quality mantel. If you purchase the cheapest one you can find, you may be unable to stop the heat from coming through. Luckily, Brick Anew has an extensive range of quality mantels to keep your fireplace and TV safe.
Similarly, you can prevent flames and other bits of ash from spitting out of your fireplace by purchasing a protective screen. We also provide you with these, and you can speak to one of our experts to find the best one for your fireplace.
What colors work best?
The colors you place on your fireplace mantel will depend on the room’s aesthetic and the color of your fireplace. If your fireplace is black or white, we recommend sticking with neutral colors, so you don’t overwhelm the room. This includes natural tones and shades such as browns and greys.
Similarly, you may have a red brick or color fireplace. The best thing, in this case, is to use neutral shades such as black and white and the same color scheme as your fireplace. This will ensure nothing clashes, and your room will look classy.