Anchor and "anchored" are fine, and your items are placed well imo...but what matters is that you've placed something meaningful to you. Btw, I like the neutrals as a whole.

Too much.

Too bland. Add some color.

Can you step back and take a pic of the entire fireplace with as much wall as possible? It will make a difference...

I like how you have layered the objects....although it is a lot of decor so the eyes have a hard time knowing where to land. The additional pics will help to determine whether to keep the anchor pieces or not.

What type of greenery do you want to use?

It’s all quite nice though you have lots of good things and maybe edit to one plaque with wording, keep the crosses and large framed art. Remove one candle and add some greenery in a distressed white pot or vase.

Do you like it? Then leave it. Simple.

You're the only one who will ever see it. Nobody else's opinion matters. It's not like it's a permanent commitment or anything, right? Or are you going to ask for guidance every time you change it?

Personally, and I am dead serious, I dislike everything about it--the clutter, the décor-store anchor, the framed wall words, the CD (or whatever that is), the monotonous lack of color, and the crosses. But it's your house, and what I think doesn't--and shouldn't--matter; it's just taste. Go for what you like; nobody's judging.

Three items on the mantel and I'm guessing the framed piece is too small to begin with.

There are too many items on the mantle that are blending with the fireplace brick. Please stand back and take a photo from a distance. Thanks.

I have never liked plaques with words , I find the crosses too much and IMO it is lacking color. I also think we need to see the whole room.

Everything disappears into the brick, and it’s too busy. I would prop a large mirror in the center and put two lush green plants or trees on either side.

I think you did quite a nice job arranging the pieces you have. You really could just add some greenery which would make a big difference. But I'm wondering if the framed art is on the small side as well. You'll want that to be the focus, so I'd want to go a little larger with that piece..and just anchor it on each side with some greenery in vases. I'd remove the small worded art, candles, and anchor to simplify everything. I think a lot of the time less is more with mantle decor.

Brick is visually busy. Subtraction is needed. Which do you love better? The anchor or the crosses? Or the artwork? I like it the least. But it is your mantle. It seems to me you like the “Joanna Gaines” style of decor. Choose one of those pieces to be in the center. Add some smaller vertical things like candleholders to add to each end for balance and then add greenery. Either real plants, pothos, or artificial. I really like brass with gray and neutral. You know, gold and silver. Could you spray paint either crosses or anchor? They have good metallic now. Might be a bad idea. Mantles are always changing. Move things around for different seasons and have fun

New day and I read it again - I wouldn't add greenery - would be crowded.

Mantels, in general, always look best with less to me. I agree the brick is busy. We also have it with one of our fireplaces. The brick makes having less even more important. Yes, some color would be nice. I would start by removing the 3 little silver items, and the two smaller word signs. Can you post a photo showing the whole fireplace and hearth? The framed piece should be close in size to the firebox opening. Depending on that, it's possible all you need is a properly sized framed piece of art. Also, if you do add greenery, make sure it's real.

I respect your religious beliefs. However, unless the crosses are antique or have a special emotional link, I'd remove them. (The same for the anchor and anchored word art.) As previously mentioned, having both lessens the significance of the crosses, and the brick is busy. Everything seems to have the same tonality. Your items are lost due to the busy background. You could still achieve the neutral palette, but offer some contrast with a dense evergreen.

Since you seem to like symmetry, you could place two small table top pine trees or rosemary topiaries placed in pots. Can't find a pots you like at this time of year- don't fret- wrap the pot with a drape of fabric that works with your decor. You could illuminate the tree with wine bottle lights https://www.amazon.com/Bottle-Lights-Battery-Powered-Shaped/dp/B06XHJHFNQ/ref=asc_df_B06XHJHFNQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198100235659&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16052921290340070381&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029626&hvtargid=pla-403916457327&psc=1

Rosemary-the herb of friendship, remembrance and love

Or. spotlight your crosses-. This is a simple large wire wreath with garland- place your crosses in the center in lieu of the deer.-1

Instead of a wire, you could use a large open wood frame. -2

I am hoping word art is going out of style and hopefully for a very long time

My apologies to Sarah, the poster who is asking for advice. I gave my opinion where it was not asked for. Like I said before. Your mantle should delight you. And the pleasure comes also in the creative process. You place things and know right away that it is right or wrong. Or you like something one day, and not the next. Change it. Enjoy the journey

Just wanted to say the battery powered "fairy" lights DK Haas mentioned are great. I have them all over the house this time of year. The battery pack is about the size of a little match box, and the lights can be used anywhere...inside or out.

You could add extra fullness and height to a sparse tabletop tree with garland and garland ties. Remove the stand and set the tree "spike" into a styrofoam cube placed in a pot. Drape pot with fabric to fit with your decor.

I think the general idea and the items on the sides are fine if they are meaningful to you. The part that jumped out at me is that the square item in the middle is too small. it should be taller in relation to the side objects to create a sort of pyramid effect in which the center is the tallest and then the items on the sides are shorter. At least, that's what I learned in a class and it makes sense to me.