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Design Dilemma Fireplaces Home Decorating

Mirror above fireplace, yay or nay?

6 years ago

Just looking for some friendly advice here. Can't decide if I should put a mirror or a painting above my fireplace. I have heard many things such as a mirror should reflect something beautiful but my mirror only reflects our light/fan. I have also heard that it's good to put a mirror above a fireplace because a mirror is water and it balances out the fire. Any thoughts or tips would be much appreciated :) of course I still need to decorate around the mirror so disregard that it looks plain jane at the moment.

Featured Answer

K Laurence

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

A piece of art, a little larger... could even go vertical depending upon size ...

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Comments (39)

C D
6 years ago
what a pretty mantle! I'd go with art.
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Patty Dell'Anno
6 years ago
The mirror is to small. It needs to be larger. Then you could put topiaries on either side of it to bring in some greenery or some larger candle holders to reflect light. if you use candles put a plant in the middle under it.
bossyvossy
6 years ago
I think art twice as tall as mirror would be better. Resist urge to place more than 1-2 Knick-knacks on mantel that will distract from big art being focal point
tqtqtbw
6 years ago
No mirror of any size, since it doesn't seem to reflect anything pretty. I see your ceiling fan, not a window, etc. Yes to big vertical art.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Vertical art would be nice, but if you want a mirror that doesn't simply reflect the ceiling fan, select one with the surface broken up with a design.
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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
You got good advice for bigger wall art or mirror. I vote for wall art.
User
6 years ago
If you like the mirror idea, go bigger, and angle the mirror down so that it doesn't reflect the fan. Make sure you attach it to the wall if you do angle it.
summersrhythm_z6a
6 years ago
You should never put art above a fireplace, it’s bad for the painting.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Jenwen, no pro would angle a mirror over a fireplace. Makes the room look like a carnival "Fun House".

Summersrjythm, let's not call it art, but simply wall decor. Printed canvas (wall decor) can be placed above a fireplace that has a mantle.
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your advice!!! I will go with the printed art and see how I feel with that first before trying a bigger mirror. Also i have to agree with you there Beverly.
midcenturymodernlove
6 years ago
Mirror is too small. If you use a mirror, it should reflect light.
User
6 years ago
I don't know.....I've not had the "fun house" feeling in any rooms with angled mirrors that I've been in. Of course, I'm not suggesting that you angle it 2 feet. Just an inch, just enough to reflect something else. All a matter of degrees.
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Trinity Builders & Design, Inc.
6 years ago
I would actually not put either one, especially because the mantel seems to be quite high (possibly just the angle of the picture). If you put anything, perhaps a smaller art piece (not a painting or canvas). Here is one that we have done a couple of years ago.
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
Actually it is pretty tall so that's really interesting that you say that Trinity builders, I didn't even think to do that so thank you for that idea!
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
6 years ago
The question is where you live and whether/how often you use the fireplace. I never use mine because it causes quite a bit of air pollution, but then I also live in a warm part of the country. I always put paintings on my (cool) fireplace, and I'm glad I don't need to worry about the heat damaging them.
cpaul1
6 years ago
Always a huge nay on mirrors over fireplaces. I normally would vote for art, but because of your rather odd situation with the angel of the ceiling line, I would hang a decorative art piece there, not a painting or a framed piece of art, but something with texture/depth and visually interesting.
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Nandina Home & Design
6 years ago
We think artwork would look nice.
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Yayagal
6 years ago
Beverly, could you share with me where you found the third painting. I'm so attracted to it. Thank you.
K Laurence
6 years ago
Yayagal, if you’re referring to the vertical green one , I’ve seen it on Ballard Designs online & in their catalog.
Yayagal
6 years ago
Thank you
btydrvn
6 years ago
Just to be safe post a picture of the whole wall...some of the suggestions look so big they may overpower the fireplace or look oversized for the room...because of all the unknowns and the interesting shape and angles...I love the suggestion of the starburst...it doesn’t conflict or undermine the interesting angles
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BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
Okay here's a better picture, ignore everything else cause we are still unpacking
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
see how the wall slants backwards a bit
btydrvn
6 years ago
This is a seriously different situation here ...your lighting somehow throws off the view in both pictures...but I now see a perfect option to feature the fireplace in a different way ...just think about this a little...painting the projecting wall surround and the top of the wall that it ties into in a different shade than the walls ...either a subtle change or a more prominent accent color...this will give the fireplace more presence...and a better background for something over the fireplace
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
6 years ago
Because of the backwards slant I agree with Trinity. I think some type of wall piece that is not a painting or mirror. A piece like that Starburst is not affected by the slant like a painting or mirror would be.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
6 years ago
Something like these big clocks would work.
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
nice! thanks guys this really helps!!!
tqtqtbw
6 years ago
Based on these photos, I think art work or something sculptural will work.

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btydrvn
6 years ago
Apples and oranges...your fireplace does not look like these
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
That is true, painting it does sound like a good idea but not sure what color? like a light Gray? Idk if I want to put that much work into it, this is probably a starter home for us and not a forever home. but I really like the idea of painting it a different color.
btydrvn
6 years ago
Pick a neutral from the stone surround if there is a grayish/beige perhaps.. if your home is going to be more modern...(and I know this would be sacrilege to many) I might paint the wood surround as well...or if that seems wrong to you a watered down paint wash to bring it all together
suero
6 years ago

Yes, you can put a painting over the fireplace. Note the Picasso painting of Jacqueline over the fireplace. This was in Dorothy and Richard Rodgers' house.
tqtqtbw
6 years ago
I had to look up the reference - "THE HOUSE IN MY HEAD was written by Dorothy Rodgers, wife of Broadway composer Richard Rodgers of Rodgers-&-Hammerstein fame." 1967 sort of Martha Stewart.
jjam
6 years ago
I don't see a problem with the slant at all, or with using art above a FP. Unless you are using it several hours a day I can't see how heat would be an issue.

That being said, I love a round mirror above a FP. We have one and I purposely leaned/tilted it because when it was hung flat on the wall it reflected the glare from the recessed light in the ceiling.

I've also used art in this space but changed to the mirror when we added the framed parka on the left. The mirror just seemed to balance things better. In your home a lot may depend on what you put on the walls to the left and right.

Your FP is gorgeous! Whatever you do, it will be lovely. Enjoy your home :)
Jen Peterson
Original Author
6 years ago
your living room is beautiful jjam!!! thanks for your input!!
bijin595
3 years ago
I’m also contemplating putting a large round mirror over my fireplace. Did you tell them you’re down to reflect the living area?
bijin595
3 years ago
Tilt

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