The fireplace mantle can feel impossible to get right: too cluttered, too sparse, too symmetric, not the right colors. And if you’re “forced” to put your TV above, it feels impossible. There isn’t a magic formula, and it comes down to personal taste. But, if you’re looking for a formula, there are a few things that I typically incorporate to make it easier (especially since I like to change decor seasonally).
Photography - usually personal and seasonal
Candles - beeswax is a favorite because it appears warm even when not lit
Books - books and fires just go really well together (not books in fires)
Seasonal flowers or potted plants
Mirrors - they can be a great source of reflective light and make your space feel larger
Knick-knacks/tchotchkes
The other major component is the actual mantel. In our last two homes we couldn’t have a wooden mantel. Our first home had a white cast stone fireplace, and our home in Colorado didn’t have a fireplace.
Our first home - cast stone fireplace
It wasn’t the fireplace of our dreams, but we used books, candles, and plants to make the space feel cozier.
Our Colorado home, no fireplace so we added built-ins to warm up the modern space.
It was kind of a bummer while living in Colorado, where there is a longer winter, and not having a fireplace. Adding these “built-ins” was the first thing we did to warm up the space.
Our kitty, “Pepper” loves the fireplace.
It comes down to choosing items that matter to you. Think of a mantel as a display case, they are usually central to a room, and the pieces that you choose to showcase should be personal, and share something about your life.