Figuring out mantel decor with a TV is challenging for so many TV-loving people! What to do- leave your mantel empty and let the TV be the focus? Fill it up with all the knick-knacks?
I am sharing six ideas on how to style a mantel with a big old ugly TV above it – because, with a little effort, you can make your fireplace decor – even with a television – look much better!
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Mantel Decor With A TV – It Can Be Done & Still Look Great!
While building our home, I was anxious because we had the opportunity to design our living room any way we liked, but we put our mantel under the TV. We considered carving out a space for the television next to the fireplace, but I wanted windows there.
Why have a TV above your mantel?
While I don’t particularly love that we have our mantel under a TV, the tradeoff is worth it. Usually, a mantel is the most logical place to put the television. The mantel in most cases is already on the biggest focal point of the room. Placing the television somewhere else than the mantel – for instance, on opposite wall, makes the two spaces feel like they are competing for attention – which wall do you center your furniture around? Both?
Typically, mantels aren’t too high, keeping the television at an appropriate level for no neck pain.
Mantel Decor Ideas With A TV
In general, a few pieces are all you need when you are have a television above the mantel. Too much decor and it all looks like clutter. Below are 6 mantel decor ideas and tips when working around a TV that include:
- Floating Shelves
- Smart TV or Frame TV and keep decor minimal
- Adding sconces (hardwiring optional!)
- Using greenery and 13 greenery ideas as mantel decorations
- Match decor to the season
- 17 pieces of mantel decor to choose from
- Using trim work correctly in place of mantel decorations
I’ll also discuss when not to add anymore mantel decor!
1. Add Floating Shelves on the Right and Left Side of the TV
Decorating around your TV with floating shelves is an affordable solution to distract from the big black box, making your design feel thought out and purposeful! Shelves on either side of the TV “floating” on the wall will add symmetry to the wall, and any designer will tell you symmetry in design is a great idea. Shelves don’t have to be costly, they can be found at big box stores these days!
Many of us have cable boxes, Apple TVs, or a gaming system, so placing those necessary items on the floating shelves with decor around makes it functional. Placing boxes inside baskets is also a great solution – dangle wires over the back.
Accessorizing shelves is the best part, obviously! My formula is simple:
- Start on the top shelf with a group of objects in the center only
- On the shelf below, put items on inner and outer part of the shelves
- Rotate each shelf (a shelf with objects in the center, shelf below has objects on either side)
- Grouping objects into 3 items is easy and sure to look good
- Layer with books (underneath small objects)
- Don’t use too many small objects – they tend to look like clutter
2. Keep Decor Minimal and Upgrade to the Frame TV
If you’re a fan of minimal you’ll also love the idea of the the Frame TV , which turns the TV into art and has a minimal frame that comes with it. While not in everyone’s budget, it is essential to mention it because it is the easiest solution. We made our regular TV work for a while – and then upped the game with our Frame TV. Finally, we added sconces which I talk about below.
Before:
To this:
source: Frame TV | sconces | blue orchid pot | Amazon topiary | lamps | rug
The Frame TV solves the whole issue, right? We put a 55″ Frame TV above our 6.5′ mantels, and with the art, you can skip the mantel decor if you wish! Art is the focal point, and this is all you need.
Alternatively, some smart TVs also display art, although they don’t have the option to stay “on” all the time or pop on with movement.
source: console table | white dipped vase | magnolia stem | blue and white planter set
We chose to go with another Frame TV in our new house. This is a 65″ below, on a 90″ fireplace wall. I thought any kind of mantel decor would take away from the look.
Frame TV | sconces | bubble light | mirror
Another look at minimal mantel decor with an art TV (also the Frame):
3. Sconces Next To the TV As Mantel Decor
Sconces next to the TV can visually work just like mantel decor! Flanking your television – as in, sconces on either side of the TV- serves as a distraction and upgrades the whole look. Sconces are a space filler and will save you from feeling like you have to decorate with more “stuff”. Truly, you could keep your mantel empty if you have sconces.
source: sconces | blue orchid pot | Amazon topiary
The actual light from the sconces might not actually be needed in your space, but this is about adding balance, and ambiance, making your fireplace and mantel look finished! In the evenings, we love to light a fire and turn on our sconces next to the TV for a cozy, warm look. When entertaining, we always flip them on for mood lighting. Our designer sconces are one of the most affordable Visual Comfort sconces, but they are still high-end like everything else Visual Comfort puts their name on.
Placement of Sconces Next To A TV
When hanging sconces on either side of a fireplace, consider the mantel width. If your fireplace is very long and wide, hang your sconces over both ends of the mantel with plenty of room, not way off to the side. When putting sconces next to a TV on smaller fireplaces, the lights should hang approximately eight inches from the edge of the mantel.
Sconces Without Hardwiring
Our sconces are hardwired – but what if you can’t do that? I recently bought this battery-operated rechargeable lightbulb that screws directly inside a standard light fixture. Brilliant!
Simply screw the battery-powered light bulb into your sconce like regular light bulb screws in. Mount the sconce to the wall with the screws it came with (no electrical box needed). The light bulb comes with a remote to turn it off and on – but it also has a button if you prefer. You can recharge the bulb after 10 hours of use by plugging it into a light with electricity. Bingo, you have two sconces that light up with actual light bulbs!
via: Thrifty Decor Chic
Wooden long narrow bowls:
Amazon Greenery / Decor:
More Greenery:
5. Matching Mantel Decor with the Seasons
- Fall Mantel Decor Use warmer colors – warm cream candles instead of bright white candles. If you use blue in your decor, you can mix in some dark green. Blue and green look great together.
- Winter Mantel Decor Swap in holiday decor, like a bowl of your favorite ornaments on display. This is easy and cheap!
- Spring Mantel Decor We used our faux magnolia stems in our vase here that nobody (seriously nobody) would know are faux. These are SO lifelike – even the branches are fuzzy like magnolia branches are. They come on a long branch, so I cut my stem for that short vase!
- Summer Mantel Decor: Try fresh greenery and fresh or faux blooms in the summer. Bright, happy shades look great in the warmer months.Try a theme of colors: yellow and greens like sunflowers mixed with green objects.
Don’t forget to updated your smart TV to play seasonal images and art pieces!
6. Still Struggling? 21 Objects Use On Your Mantel Under The TV
Don’t go overboard with the decor here – but sometimes you just need a few specific ideas. Symmetry looks great in design, so if you are struggling this is an easy way to get it right!
Size and Scale of Objects
The size of your decor makes a difference. Don’t use objects so big they compete with the TV. And stay away from small items, they look like clutter.
Place low objects in the middle, and taller objects on the ends of course.
17 objects to style with:
Pottery Barn:
Affordable Choices:
Vases, ginger jars, a stack of books or books between bookends, a frame, candles grouped together, lanterns, driftwood, large shells, antlers, or a collection of similarly colored objects grouped together will work.
Use just two or three colors to create an intentional, curated look, and keep your fireplace decor under the TV looking more put together. We used blues, whites and greens vases and jars.
Coffee Table | Rug | White Dipped Vase | blue and white planter set | faux magnolia stem
I filled in the spaces between the pumpkins with greens. I like these faux silver dollar stems! They are the best for little styling projects like this.
Minimal decor here because she has those tall built ins – just an item with some height on the sides. And again with the eucalyptus! See? It is so versatile.
I kept it simple with candle pillars and tall driftwood only here, creating height on each end.
7. Alternative to Decor – Trimwork in Place of Decor
You can alternatively use trim work on your mantel and skip the decor all together! This will give your fireplace a focal point and interest. The mantel decor isn’t necessary if the trim work (box molding, shiplap, etc.) is enough on its own. Here are some ideas of trimwork to inspire you:
And if you are simply working around a TV on a wall with no fireplace, a gallery wall with big frames offers interest.
While not a mantel, it is the same idea of keeping an area free of clutter, while adding larger pieces to beautify the space and distract from the ugly big black box.
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