The “struggle” isn’t real. :)

There is no need to decorate the mantel. But if your tv is not a tv that displays art, or even if it is, you could cover the tv with some type of art when not in use. To tell you the truth, I am not a big fan of digital art on the tv. It is a nice option to have; but I also like the idea of real life art of some sort. Etsy.com has a lot of options for “art to cover tv” and you can do a search there.

This is actually a tv dust cover type of thing.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4532693704/coastal-landscape-tv-cover-case-subtle?

And the Seller also offers custom options, so you could also create your own art.

As I said, you do not need to decorate the mantel. But for a bit of ambience, a couple of flameless candles on the mantel might be nice.

ETA:

The TV and firebox already make a strong black stack, so I wouldn't put matching objects at both ends of the mantel. The two floor lanterns are already doing that job. If you want something there, I'd use one long, low piece in the center, maybe a shallow wood bowl or tray, and leave plenty of space below the TV. The left corner is much busier with the cabinet, lamp, clock and leaning art. I'd move one taller item to the open right side of the fireplace instead, or add a slim floor lamp there. That would balance the whole wall without crowding the mantel.

The decision is made. It's your tv, and it needs nothing else.

A Samsung Frame TV with a DecoTV frame would add some detail to the plain look of a standard TV, specially when you have the black hole effect.

This is my 75" Frame TV with a 3" DecoTV frame.

Chispa we have the Samsung frame also and love it! You can change the pictures to photos etc

Go look at a Hisense Frame TV

Getting rave reviews, subscription free, art, memories all.

Pick your frame as well.

Canvas finish, no glare......

It's really a nice room, and the mantel doesn't need anything on it. I would install curtain panels on the windows to soften the hard shutters, and call it a day.

If the sofa’s 4 legs sit on the rug, slide the rug forward so only the front legs sit on it bring the rug closer to the fireplace with a few inches of wood floor showing. Not a critics, but a question - where do the pillows go when you have guests?

Jan, thank you for the info re: the TV. I had no idea, now am doing reseach and am learning about all the positives. Just need to determine if the OTA tuner is decent. Sorry OP for the derail - I like the simple lines of how your mantle looks now. If I felt the need to add something, it would be only one item on one side, but really, it looks nice and calm the way it is.

@Indigo Rose - thanks for weighing in that you would only put one item on one side of the mantel. That is good to know.

I did tell the OP that there was really no need to put anything on the mantel. As I was putting together a quick visual to show an idea of maybe a couple of flameless candles, for ambience - AI went ahead and put a couple of flameless candles on each end of the mantel. I think it actually looks nice. I do not think that it is not “calm”. However, I do understand why a couple of flameless candles on a mantel could warrant great concern - and possibly evoke sheer terror - here.

So the idea is: there are various ways to decorate a mantel when there is a tv involved, OP.

Symmetry is one approach:

More here: https://theturquoisehome.com/how-to-decorate-a-mantel-with-tv/

Love the clean lines of your fireplace - i’d only have one lantern so it looks a bit less staged but thats just a me thing

I love decorating my mantle for the seasons, but -- with the TV where it is -- I don't think it's a great option for you. No one likes to watch TV with floral stems sticking up over the edges of the screen.

I do like the idea of framing the TV -- it'll make it a bit more polished /more like art /less like a TV.

In answer to your question, I agree with the person above who suggested placing a small flameless candle on each edge and calling it a day.