Not The Mantel: The Forgotten Space Above Your Fireplace You Should Be Decorating

When it comes to fireplace decor, there's no shortage of articles and blog posts out there about how to decorate a mantel. But what about the blank wall space above the mantel? It's an area that people often forget about or sometimes simply ignore, because figuring out how to fill it can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to style the space over a mantel, with two of the most obvious options being artwork or mirrors.

If art is your first choice, you have a few different directions to take. One option is to hang a large statement print or canvas above the mantel, making sure it ties in with your home's existing color palette to help it feel intentional. Alternatively, you could hang two or three pieces of art in a row or even create the perfect gallery wall to bring extra character to the space. 

If you're leaning more towards hanging a mirror to move light around the room and add depth to the space, there are plenty of styles to choose from. An arched or rectangular window pane mirror, for example, would work well in a home with a farmhouse aesthetic, while a gold-rimmed, Gilded Age-inspired mirror — like any of these dupes for the Anthropologie floor mirror — is a great fit for homes that lean more antique or vintage maximalism. For a more relaxed, layered look, you can rest the mirror directly on the mantel and lean it against the wall, a styling choice that could also be used with framed art or canvases. 

If a statement piece of art sounds like the right choice for above your mantel but the often hefty price tags of oversized art don't quite fit the bill, there are more budget-friendly options to consider. Framing a vintage map or even a wallpaper mural can still create a bold look without the high cost. Whatever you choose for your above-mantel statement piece, just make sure you pay close attention to size. You want it to feel properly proportioned to your fireplace, making sure it's not so big that it overwhelms the space nor so small that it feels awkwardly placed. A trick to getting this right is choosing a piece of art or a mirror that's roughly two-thirds the width of the fire surround or mantel. 

Of course, art and mirrors aren't the only options for filling the space above a fireplace. For something a little more unique, you could dress up the space by hanging decorative plates repurposed as vintage wall decor. A large clock or even an oversized sculptural wall piece can also work beautifully. Another detail people often overlook is using the entire wall to their advantage. To make the wall that your fireplace sits on even more of a focal point, consider turning it into a feature wall with a striking contrasting paint color, patterned wallpaper, or textured wall paneling.