How about placing the mirror to the left of the fireplace and a beautiful armoire on the right side that has a French vibe. If budget is a concern you can keep an eye out for a tall armoire with good bones, add decorative moulding and then Chalk paint it and wax it. Super easy to do. On wall that currently has the mirror get a long console and under it place two stools with a really interesting fabric (think tiger or leopard) that give you extra seating when needed.

I love your ideas!

I do like the idea of an armoire in that spot on the right, as it opens up lots of possibilities because there are so many pretty ones to choose from (and I have experience with redoing furniture so that's not a problem). And I also like the idea of adding a console and two stools for extra seating. It was always my intention to incorporate seating for 6 in this space but it's not a large room and while it could be done, it might not look as 'open' as I'd like, so placing seating off to the side is a good solution.

One question: The reason the mirror is placed where it is is because it faces the lanai which has a nice view. Are you suggesting moving the mirror to the left of the fireplace so that it balances out the armoire? If the mirror stayed where it was and the console was to the left of the fireplace instead would that look out of sync?

Thank you :)

Wow, let's do non symmetrical then. I would do a large faux tree on the right (if you were facing the fireplace). I would get two gold metal pieces of furniture (non matching, but coordinating in terms of size and style) to go on either side of the fireplace. And then no more mirrors especially since you already have that leaning wall mirror. And no more lamps since you already have matching lamps on the console table. And I also wouldn't do one piece of art on either side since you already have that one piece of large art over the fireplace. So having said all of that .... I would do one decorative piece (non flat artwork) on the right since you have the tree to help fill that area, and then two pieces of stacking framed actual picture artwork on the left side.

I would do some fabulous built in shelves with cabinets at the bottom.

I love the idea of the tree and textural artwork to the right of the fireplace. Then a shelving/cabinet unit to the left would pull the whole room together including the mirror. Why not add a narrow bench in front of the mirror for that extra seating. Get something that has narrow legs and doesn't take up much visual space. Very cool room! I love what you have so far.

Not every space needs something in it.

I would leave it as is.

It is important to know what a mirror reflects. I couldn't tell by the pics you took. I like the mirror to left of the fireplace to add height and reflection. I like adding an armoire to the right to balance the mirror. There is a certain level of formality to your room that if pieces are not symmetrical it may throw that off. as I suggested, do add the unexpected by really interesting stools under the console. Not sure there is enough room on the left side of fireplace for that anyway.

Here are some examples of how others have addressed this situation.

I think your room could benefit from a chandelier instead of a fan and though all of your furnishings selections are classic and restrained in style, the fireplace screen seems to fight with your lovely hearth & have no idea where that oversized mirror might be appropriate.

I agree with you about the chandelier. They really do take a space to the next level, but we live in NC and it can get warm here so for practical reasons we probably will keep the fan, but it will depend how much we use it and we won’t know until we’re here at least a year. I’ve seen some interesting fandeliers but the blades are so small that they seem pointless.

Your room examples are beautiful. I’m particularly partial to the second and last, and the screens are interesting and most definitely would look better in this space. The one thing I disagree with you on is the hearth. I don’t like the black granite at all, (which is one reason why I put the screen in front of it), but that’s a discussion for another day.

Thanks so so much for your suggestions!

See if you can find a curio cabinet, preferably with shallow shelves and a rounded glass front, that is the same height as the mirror less the baseboard and then hang the mirror just atop the baseboard. If you can find a taller curio cabinet, you can hang the mirror higher -- just keep the tops at the same level. You'd end up with symmetry -- height and glass -- but w/o the same pieces and w/o blocking that natural light from the windows to the right of the fireplace with a heavier piece of furniture. .

Do you need the storage ? If not I would leave it as is and if someday you come acroos a couple of pieces of art you love hang them on either side. I think the room is not huge and those cabinets will make it feel smaller.

Not a Pro.

Some other options......molding.....large sconces

Some inspiration:

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Lots to think about based on all these great ideas. We don’t *have* to have the storage, but it would be nice.

We like the idea of waiting until drapery panels are installed, or waiting until an item or two blows us away.

Thank you all SO MUCH!

I like the way it is now. No offense, but the samples of furnishings/wall décor shown by the pro above is way too much-ness for me.

I agree with leaving it as is. Your fireplace is a lovely focal point. The blank spaces on either side give the eyes a needed place to rest.

Have you considered setting a tall plant (snake plant?) atop a small plant stand to the right of the fireplace away from the wall enough to get a natural light from the window rather than add anything to the wall?

Is there a space in your entry or elsewhere to hang the mirror and, given its height, perhaps use it to create a hidden door?

I have actually considered the plant idea, and may still go that route. As for the mirror, it was initially supposed to go in the master bedroom, but the only wall that worked was right next to the armoire, and two tall items together just didn’t look balanced. I love it, but it’s a purchase I regret. I don’t think it would look right by the entry way and it’s way too heavy to use as a door, but that was definitely creative thinking!

Here are some great ideas for you on what can go on either side of the fireplace.

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Updated Atlanta Bungalow · More Info

Was thinking more along the lines of attaching several heavy duty hinges directly to that rectangle backboard to which the mirror appears to be attached and then hanging it on a wall to hide a door to a basement or attic -- a doorway leading to someplace that might not be part of the main house or to a spot you might want to remain hidden ... such as, if you have an odd shaped room that you'd like to make square and hide some offset place within a room as a hidden room, the mirror could be a doorway to that space, especially if you need a wider than average door such as to move a large desk into it.

If you're considering hanging it on a door ... Is there a room in your home with one of those sliding barn style doors or where you might put one? You'd need a large door to hang the mirror on one.

Do post "after" shots so we can see what you decide.

You all had such thoughtful, helpful comments I thought perhaps you deserved an update . It took a while but the living room is finally where I need it to be. Shortly after I initially posted we ordered two identical consoles but we knew immediately they weren’t going to work. I finally concluded that maybe we were having so much trouble finding identical pieces because it wasn’t meant to be, so we’d set out to look for a piano we could convert to a bar. We had done that in our previous weekend home and it was a fun and useful project. We found one destined for a landfill for free, but of course we had to pay to have it moved and the mirror and glass, etc., but it came out great and fits perfectly. Then we had the challenge of finding something for the other side that would balance it out visually and came across a very plain piece that needed some love but was the perfect size. It is elevated, both literally and figuratively, on an iron scrolled stand, and I painted it and used some clay molds to dress it up.

We took a long weekend trip in April and found two mirrors in a cute shop in Blowing Rock and last but not least, the large mirror was moved to the sitting room off the master (my husband wisely suggested moving the desk that was on that wall to under the window) and we fell in love with a painting on that same weekend that has a wonderful ethereal quality, depicting two swans on a lake with just the right amount of blues, teals and greens to compliment the existing color scheme.

We removed the fireplace screen and i actually dont mind the granite at all now.. We also found a fabulous rug that has a lighter, airier feel than the other one, so they will be switched out with the seasons. And as you can see we have some window treatments now that were custom made from some fabric from Highpoint as well as some linen blends that are quite sheer from half priced drapes (highly recommend that company). The previous lamps were moved, one in the dining room and one in the hallway, and what is in their place are slightly more transitional (and I love their shape).

The only element that I am still considering changing is the ceiling fan, providing I can find a fandelier with adequate cooling qualities.

Thanks again for all your fabulous suggestions!

The color quality on these next shots seems to be way off but you get the idea hopefully!

And here is where the infamous mirror ended up!

What a stunning room. Thank you for posting a follow up. I love the color scheme. You have balanced a lightness and warmth in that room- no mean feat.

Beautiful!