Put a large mirror over the mantle and do whatever you plan on doing on the side opposite the TV. Then step back and see what suggests itself to you. The mantle does not look very deep, so you will have to keep it simple, I think. Of course with that TV in the room, everything you do is limited. Everyone's eye is going to be drawn to the TV.

As the others have indicated, the tv is drawing attention from the fireplace and whatever you put there, the tv will continue to draw your eye. The tv fights with the fireplace.

I would love to help, but cannot with only one photo of one wall. First, I would consider moving the tv elsewhere. One option I see is over the fireplace.

Studio, isn't that a little drastic? The blue is lovely

Oops , wrong key, didn't mean to send. The blue is lovely and obviously what the OP likes. I'm sure with a little work, a nice art piece could be found incorporating the colors the OP likes. Black is a pretty fierce solution. The mantle does seem narrow, so I'd not go crazy filling it all up. Mount the picture, don't prop it. If a mirror works, ie, reflecting something interesting, maybe round would be a nice shape to detract from all the squares in the area

I don't think so, of course. :)

The palette is already strongly black and white, and the wall change will mask both the TV and its stand, which the current wall colour doesn't. I think the blue will stand out more beautifully in a well lit piece of art than it does as a flat focal colour. Adding metal accessories will further draw the eye elsewhere than the TV set, and changing the black coverlet to blue will enforce the accent shade, if needed - it may have a repeat already, but in this photo the blue looks like the cheese that stands alone!

That's OK, Moxiemom, and it was very politely stated. :)

The cheese stands alone!!!!! Priceless!

We need at least three more photos of the living room because it might be possible to reposition the TV as someone upthread suggested. Or, if the room is big enough, maybe floating the sofa so it faces the fireplace and TV would work. About the TV:

--Can you get a smaller one?

--Would you consider a bookshelf/TV system surrounding the fireplace? Again, more photos would help everyone offer more options.

More photos of whole room will help us. Otherwise just go to Art.com or Great Big Canvas & get ideas for art. Some you can select your size needed.

Do get some heat proof metal paint to paint the brass on the firebox unit to a flat black. A substantially sized art peice placed about 6 inches above the fireplace & about 3/4 the size of the mantel will enhance the wall.

You can even add a candle sconce on both sides of the peice of art. Only you can choose the art. It is a very personal selection. Look, look, look until you find a peice which brings good feelings to you. You must have a connection to it.

From what I see, your room is very minimalist except for the TV. Not much decor.

We haven't decorated yet....moved in a bit over a month ago.... The painters just finished up....this room was a dark chocolate brown before....so here is a before and a picture with the new furniture and window side

Also what do you think as a good accent color in this room.....was thinking maybe a few lime green accents????.....I am a RN not an interior designer......lol

You could. I would keep it to very small doses via pattern, introducing it through the wall art and throw pillows.

I see a couple of things, first an area rug would do wonders for the room. Second, the room is off balance with the huge TV in one corner and the other corner empty. Add a cabinet or book case to balance. 3rd, you have too many pillows on the sofa.

I would hang a horizontal mirror over mantle and the lean two smaller framed prints of different sizes on each end. Nothing more. Keep the mirror simple

Susan9248..... Are you recommending a bookcase on the right side of the fireplace in white or black

I would recommend black since your TV is black, but a dark wood to match the TV console or other pieces would be ok. Just more contrast, to balance the wall. White would blend into the white wall. You can angle it in the corner and if it's open, the paint will show thru. Add some blue and/or green accents and blk & white. It will tie the room together. If you choose a mirror for the mantle, you can hang a large art canvas over the sofa and the room will look Fab.

The newer large flat screen TVs can be hung tight to the wall over the fireplace. With a thin black frame they can look surprisingly minimal. That keeps one general area as the focus of the room. It also restores balance. Check the manufacture's recommendations and code to see how high above you need to go. You'll have to have an electrician or AV company put an in wall (clock) outlet. They also make larger boxes that can hold a cable or satellite box so wires aren't exposed. Worth it! You can still decorate the mantle, but be careful not to block the beam that changes channels, etc.

I also like the suggestion to do built ins around the fireplace, but I prefer the TV above the mantle to a small one off to the side.

Eric, promise me no mirror on the wall or over the mantle unless you are pleased with the reflection it provides. I think it looks ridiculous to see a reflection of the ceiling or the length of the wall. Capture a window view or a gorgeous light fixture or greenery,etc. Having seen the other pics and the couch,, I can see where maybe the blue wall isn't optimal, but I still question black. You may be narrowing your options too much with so much black. Don't want it to look like Count Dracula moved in. Would love to see the lime green walls or cream with lime accents.

Eric, To be honest I am not a fan of TV's over the fireplace. Especially if you watch it most evenings. The middle of the TV screen should be at eye level when seated. (as an RN, you must be aware of kinked necks :>). I know it is done a lot and I see it recommended all the time. Oh, well. No matter where you put a TV in the room, it will stick out like a sore thumb. They are a fact of life so minimize it as much as possible, but it is what it is. I keep mine in an armoire so I can close the doors, ( so I don't have a huge TV, that's fine. :>)

Hi Eric. Thank goodness for nurses. I could never do that job. They are the kindest people!

When desigining a room, question such as "what to put on the mantle" and "what are the accent colors" do not come first.

The room will never look good look good if it is not functioning correctly and the furniture arranged to achieve balance and flow.

(Just a note on tv's above the fireplace: I am generally not a fan, but in some cases it works best. Also, tv height is generally eye level. However, I have had many clients tell me they lie down to watch tv and want it very high. So, correct tv height is where YOU like it. Period.

My opinion on tv's in the corner that are not in a corner unit: they don't look good....always look awkward.

Okay, so your arrangement and best one partially depends on how you live. (I haven't seen a photo of the entrance to the room, but it appears there is a large opening with a partial wall on one side.....is there one on the window side of the room?

Option 1:

tv where it is, but placed in a unit, angled

unit on right side of fireplace to balance unit on the left

sofa where it is

2 chairs floated, facing tv

Option 2:

Float sofa facing fireplace, centered on fireplace

tv above fireplace

chairs on either side of fp, facing sofa

Option 3

sofa along window

tv on back wall

chairs on either side of tv, angled and facing window/sofa

Option 4

sofa where it is now

tv in corner (in a unit). Corner where window wall meets entrance wall (so take tv and move it from where it is now, along the window to the corner on the left side of the window)

2 chairs on either side of fireplace

Do any of these appeal to you?

Agreeing with CDR Design. I think the sofa would look better on the window wall and the tv where the couch is currently. I'm not a designer so I can't give you any help with the mantle.

Normally, I would not suggest a sofa along the window, but in this case, it might be the best solution. You could shut the blinds at night and the sofa does not appear it would block the window view.

The tv and the fireplace would be able to have their own "place". You could hang some fabulous art over the fireplace. There is a lot out there that is very reasonably priced, but still makes an impact.

PS: you have a lot of different colors going on in your room: gray drapes, black and white chairs, blue wall. This will need to be addressed, once the furniture is set.

Susan....the area rug pic....where did you find it...do you have a website with purchase info?

which one, eric. both?

1st photo ITEM# 15910262 comes in 8x10 or 9x12... Overstock.com

O,com also for 2nd photo ITEM# 15039218

Here are 2 photos you show in your main living areas in your idea book. Clean lines, serene, monochromatic with some blues. Transitional to borderline modern.

Your direction is going somewhere else. You want to add a busy rug?

Our fireplace makeover

Wow! That’s quite a makeover!

Now THAT is a focal point! Nice job

An accent wall generally makes a space feel smaller. This particular blue doesn’t flatter the wood of the fireplace surround. If the TV doesn’t leave, you’ll never really be satisfied with the room.