How to Decorate a Mantel with a TV Above — Plus Ideas for Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel

For those of us lucky enough to have a fireplace — or even better a working fireplace — autumn and winter are exciting times of the year. From Halloween decorating tips to sprucing up with greenery (like garland) and stockings for Christmas, you likely already have an idea about how you want to decorate your mantel for the holidays.

But what about after the holidays? Styling a fireplace mantel with a TV above can be tricky. How do you create a visually appealing space without interfering with your TV viewing experience? Whether it’s a mirror, candlesticks, or artwork, finding the right decor for a mantel with a TV is key to maintaining style year-round.

We’ve compiled some mantel decorating ideas with a TV above to help your living room or den look polished and inviting through every season!

STANDARD FIREPLACE HEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS

As the saying goes, “measure twice and cut once”. While this adage traditionally refers to sewing, it also comes in handy with fireplace décor ideas — especially if that DIY decorating requires drilling and making holes in the wall. Before you start brainstorming mantel decorating ideas with a TV above the fireplace, it’s important to understand some standard dimensions that can guide your decorating process.

Fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes, from traditional wood-burning fireplaces with a classic mantelpiece to sleek modern designs with glass inserts. No matter the style, knowing your fireplace’s measurements is essential to creating a stylish and functional space.

Typically, the mantel is 4.5 feet above the hearth, and most mantels are 3 to 6 inches wider than the firebox. By grabbing a measuring tape and noting the depth, length, and height of your mantel, you’ll have a clear idea of what will work for fireplace mantels with TV above decorating ideas. These measurements will help you find the perfect décor for a mantel with a TV, ensuring your home décor is balanced in size and scale.

3 FIREPLACE MANTEL DÉCOR IDEAS

To decorate your mantel, start by taking some cues from the room you’re working with. What is the general style? Is it mid-century modern, with clean lines? Think, Mad Men. Or maybe you have a more traditional style with ornate wood pieces. 

Consider the room’s style, color palette, and focal point. For instance, if you have a fireplace mantel with a TV above, you might want to design around the TV as the centerpiece. Alternatively, you could shift the focus to a piece of art, decorative mirrors, or complementary furniture. The key is to balance the décor for a mantel with a TV so it enhances the room’s visual appeal without overwhelming the space.

Using these fireplace décor ideas, you can create a space that reflects your personal style while maintaining a polished, cohesive look.

IDEA #1. ARRANGE THE MANTEL WITH SEASONAL DECORATIONS

Seasonal fireplace decor ideas are an easy way to keep your mantel fresh and festive all year. For spring or summer, brighten your space with lemons arranged alongside small glass vases filled with herbs like rosemary or thyme. These accents are not only visually appealing but also functional—use the lemons and herbs in your kitchen before they go bad! Need more inspiration? Check out our guide to spring mantel ideas for additional tips.

In the fall, embrace warm tones with pumpkins, colorful leaves, and other harvest-inspired accents. For winter or Christmas mantel decorating ideas with a TV above, garlands, candles, and festive holders add a touch of holiday magic. Textured wreaths, pinecones, and seasonal flowers work beautifully with a white fireplace to create a cozy, inviting look.

By incorporating seasonal touches, you can ensure your fireplace mantel with a TV above remains stylish and functional while complementing the room’s overall décor.

IDEA #2. DISPLAY YOUR ART OR A MIRROR

Another obvious above-the-fireplace design idea is a mirror or some art. This is to say, the mirror and your art pieces need to be the correct proportion with your mantel and hung at the correct height.

Here are a couple rules of thumb to keep in mind:

• Your art or mirror should be two thirds the size of the mantel. For example, if your mantel is 72”, you need to find a piece of art that is 47” wide.
• Make sure you pick the right height and hang your art piece or mirror no less than 6” and no more than 12” above the mantel.
• If you’re opting for a tall or more vertical piece, don’t forget you can use the mantel as a shelf and forgo hanging all together.

Once you’ve determined the proper dimensions of the piece of art you need, make sure you pick a piece with a frame that is cohesive with the rest of the furnishings and colors in the room. And remember, measure twice and cut once!

IDEA #3. PLACE YOUR TV ABOVE THE FIREPLACE

Like art, the first rule of thumb when placing your TV over the fireplace is to choose the right size TV. We have a very comprehensive guide about choosing the right TV based on surrounding furniture and where to hang it in relation to your seating area.

While some people may balk at the idea of detracting from a classic focal point, like a fireplace, with a flat screen TV, the honest truth is, many households watch TV — an estimated 122.4 million, in fact.

So why, if it’s such an integral part of home life, are we trying to hide it?

If you place your TV above the fireplace, just make sure to pick a tv that fits and hang it at the right height. From there, we recommend displaying your TV on a MantelMount, like the MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount, so you can remotely-move it into the perfect TV-viewing position when you use it, and tuck it away when you don’t.

Better yet, every MantelMount has the ability to come forward far enough off the wall to clear any décor items you pick to decorate!

HOW TO DECORATE AROUND A FIREPLACE MANTEL WITH A TV ABOVE

Decorating a fireplace mantel with a TV above requires a slightly different approach. If your TV is already mounted, focus on the space between the mantel and the TV to create a balanced, stylish look. For those yet to mount their TV, get ready — we have some great fireplace decorating ideas to help you transform your living room focal point.

IDEA #1. DECORATE WITH A SMALL VASE AND WISPY BRANCHES

Just because you have a TV above your fireplace does not mean you need to sacrifice on style. Arrange some wispy or thin branches in a low-profile vase and place it along the TV’s edge or in a corner. Branches of eucalyptus with gaps between each leaf won’t obstruct view, or you can try something leafless like dried flax, canary grass, or lunaria.

IDEA #2. FRAME YOUR FIREPLACE WITH A FLOOR LAMP OR BOOKSHELF

While not strictly an above-the-fireplace idea, adding a statement piece like a tall floor lamp or bookcase beside your mantel creates a striking focal point. For balance, pair it with a hanging plant on the opposite side or a low-profile option like succulents or pothos. If using an arched floor lamp, adjust it slightly to avoid blocking the TV while enhancing the room's symmetry and style.

IDEA #3. SMARTLY DECORATE WITH ART

Why do we say smartly? Because we wouldn’t necessarily recommend leaning a piece of art against your TV for the sake of decorating your mantel. Instead, try using the wall space to the left or right of your fireplace to hang some art.

Remember, the center of your art piece should be about 57-60 inches from the floor. So if you’re hanging a series of stacked pictures of various sizes, make sure to place them accordingly relative to that eye-level height of 57”.

There are a lot of ways to have fun with your décor even if you’re using your fireplace surroundings to display your TV. But hopefully some of these ideas will help you get started!