Software
Houzz Logo Print
amoxi29

Fireplace mantle decor help!!

6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

Help! I have been trying to decorate my fireplace mantle for years. I finally painted it white and now I’m stuck on the decorating part. My home has a rustic/coastal/boho vibe. The wall to the right is all white and I have a navy wall to the left. My brain wants to make everything even on each side of the tv but someone told me I dont need that. The whole bottom of the mantle is just for fall and so is the leaf garland on top so disregard those if you can 😂

I have been in and out of all stores probably 7x a week. I just am stuck 😔



Comments (26)

  • 6 years ago

    Wow thats a lot going on in the top photo. I really like how nice painting it white came out. Less is more, the focus is the fireplace or tv. Take the garland down, its not doing anything for you. Switch the lanterns and the mirror, add a couple of small black framed family pictures, take the bottle with feather out completely. Keep the plant in the top photo and add birch logs to the basket in the bottom photo. Live with less for a week and see how you like it, if not add 1 item at a time.

    amoxi thanked Sebago Gal
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Hi! Yes it’s a wood burning stove but thinking of

    getting an electric one.


    the basket is just loose eucalyptus on it. Everything on bottom usually isn’t there along with the garland.


    thank

    you for the advice. I wondered if I needed some

    navy and I have some navy/white pillows already!

  • 6 years ago

    The decor is overdone but the white looks great! I would move the lanterns to the right of the mantel where you have the higher ceiling. If there is an electrical outlet in the vicinity, you could fill them with some fairy lights. Combine a few of the little pumpkins and the leaf garland in a basket and set on the hearth to the left. Fill the striped tote with kindling or your favorite fire starter and put it on the right of the hearth. Everything else should go. When the season changes, just keep your decor minimal.

  • PRO
    6 years ago


    Would these lanterns be a bit softer.... color wise? I can still return the darker lanterns I have.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Yes I have a lot of little things on the mantle I knew I didn’t want on there. I should have probably took a picture of it how it normally is. ☺️

  • 6 years ago

    The dark lanterns you have are pretty and look good with the dark wall. And the navy/white pillows sound perfect!

    I’d go for a big stack of wood for the fireplace, since your raised hearth is so roomy, just be sure that they are bug free 😂

    amoxi thanked Rachel M. Frazier
  • 6 years ago

    I wanted to share this blog post, as it reminds me a bit of your set-up and wanting to simplify:


    http://www.12thandwhite.com/2016/04/how-to-decorate-long-mantel-before-and.html


    Imo, the lanterns are too heavy up there; I’d put them on the hearth. You could use your window with a couple of smaller framed art pieces, as she did in the link. Then maybe tall thin candlestick holders or something similarly simple.

    amoxi thanked Jilly
  • PRO
    6 years ago


    Any better? I do have a matching window pane and can make another feather juju hat to match the one on the left that’s hanging on the window. I have another set of lanterns i ordered that was delayed and they are slightly lighter and few inches smaller


  • PRO
    6 years ago

    All the fake anything needs to go IMO the TV on one side would have been better then a nice large piece of art could be above the mantel and that would keep the need for a lot of mantel decor to a min.IMO forget a matching window pane remove the mirror and get a piece of art at least on that wall.

  • PRO
    6 years ago


    Hm. Something looks off. 🧐

  • 6 years ago

    Not a Pro.

    First off, the fireplace looks great painted white. Love the navy walls.


    What's throwing you off, is that the tv needs to be on the wall where the two chairs are.

    Art should be where the tv is and that would be all you need above the mantel.

    Below the mantel, basket with greenery and lanterns looks great.

    amoxi thanked njmomma
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I mentioned that to my husband about moving the tv to the wall in the right. We spent few hours hanging the wall mount 🤣🤣🤣 he loves me i swear!

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Also... if I move the tv to above chairs. Should I love my buffet table under or would the chairs be ok to stay?


    you all are helpful I appreciate it. 🥰

  • 6 years ago

    Remove the window panes, put the lanterns on the top right. put your basket of pillows with throw hanging over on bottom right, top left you need something with color and substance. not alot of little things.

  • 6 years ago

    Not a Pro.

    One step at a time.


    Do not move the tv until you decide on an arrangement that works.


    Do you need the chairs in the room?


    Try moving the console under the mirror where the chairs are and see if this arrangement would work for your family to watch tv.



  • 6 years ago

    I would follow deco's suggestions. Mantels are best when kept simple.

  • 6 years ago

    Totally agree! You should try Deco's suggestion first.



  • PRO
    6 years ago

    You have a very nice space. The brick white is great. It appears you can’t really use those chairs much? I would sell them. Move TV to that wall. Get slim console and add slightly bigger TV to simply set on the console. Get a couple stools to put either side if you need extra seating periodically. Then art over fireplace with minimal decor.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I can’t tell from photos but you might have space behind the side section of sofa to put a narrow sofa type table and stools for additional seating and MOVIE or game day. You can get legs from Etsy and any wood and make your own.

    amoxi thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I’m not married to the chairs. They could leave or go on the other side of my room it’s a huge dining/living room Space on other side.


    the TV is 70” just got it so probably won’t get bigger it’s too small of a wall.


    I do love the idea of the seating behind couch but it recline so I always wondered how that would work.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Great. You just put table far enough back so it doesn’t interfere. This would work so well in your room. Really fun too!

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    You can hunt in your are for slab wood and make your own. Just seal wood to preserve from water and drinks.

    amoxi thanked Flo Mangan
  • PRO
    6 years ago


    If this helps. It’s a pretty big room! I can switch the chairs and the buffet table that’s behind the mirror to the right I took down.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I have always wanted a “bar table behind my couch “ ☺️☺️☺️☺️

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Looks doable to me. That way you can delete those two chairs and open up that side of room. To test this, get some cardboard boxes or simulate a table behind sofa. Recline chairs fully and put a simulated table there. See how it feels. Could place for kids snacking and homework too.