Hang something large first: a painting or a bigger mirror. A leaning mirror only reflects the ceiling and light fixture. Then add two or three smaller things on the mantel itself....things which have an interesting color or shape which can be seen from across the room.

Hi Sara!

You first need to hang something that is a minimum of 3/4 of the length of the mantel width - hang is vertically or horizontally. Depends on the piece.

My rule of thumb is add other much smaller works of art and 3D objects that pull directly from the piece you've hung so they can speak back to the piece itself. It lends a strong sense of continuity and creates a mini vignette if you will.

You can lean the smaller pieces against the one you've hung.

If you choose to add candle holders make sure their structure pulls from the piece you've hung as well and pull the candle color from the image if you want.

Karen

I'm more of a minimalist with mantels. Too much just becomes chaotic vs calming. I would first find a piece of art about 3/4 the width of the firebox opening to lean or hang. Then, as felizlady suggested, add 2 or 3 smaller items. Place any framed photos in another location.

thank y'all so much for your help! I had this huge mirror that is 60" tall (the mantel is 80" wide) so I hung it. Does it need to be hung width wise to equal 3/4 of the mantel or is length wise fine as well? this is my attempt at a maximalistish mantel. Any input on the current arrangement would be greatly appreciated. (the matching sconce should be arriving later today). I removed the orchids because I thought with the sconces it may be too much symmetry

Sara, can you take a photo from farther back so we can see more of the fireplace? For me there's too much on the mantel, but that's the minimalist in me. One thing that bothers me is when items are lined up across a mantel, and there are several of them are small. You did say maximalist. lol...I probably should not be making comments. Maybe Lauren Jacobsen or Grey Heron will come back and weigh in.

here it is! excuse the mess as we're still in the process of moving in!

Are you placing your French Country furniture in this room?

this was my inspiration for the mantel styling

I actually have the two sofas in the sunroom in this house, as the living room is much smaller. I'm keeping the two blue velvet chairs in this room and I'm on the lookout for a simple English roll arm sofa. I am kind of torn on decor styles though bc part of me loves traditional styles and part of me loves the simple, homey feel of farmhouse/french country decor

I just scored these gorgeous neoclassical mercury glass tables though that I want to use in this room so they kinda made my mind up for me lol

Following

I hope y'all don't mind me reviving this thread as I've acquired some more pieces and need some help deciding on a look. For awhile I just had the minimalistic look with the painting and some vases; but when I acquired the mirror and drawing I changed it up. Which do you like better? And is there a way to make either of these better (swapping out art for larger art, moving things around, etc.)?

I like the mirror, but would hang it rather than lean it.

When layering art/art, art/mirror, I overlap the edge of the item or items in front, having only 1/3 of the front piece overlap the piece behind. The idea is to have the rear item mostly visible. Your art in front of the mirror should have only about 1/3 of the art in front of the mirror for a nice balance.

I like how the art looks in the second photo with the sconces.

Hey Sara,

Chiming in again to help you out. I love your inspiration mantel pic. So lets talk about that first... since I now see what you're going for.

The mirror acts as the main grounding and focal point above the mantel. It is hung up to 4/5 of the height of the mantel to floor. Meaning the top of it is 4/5 higher than the mantel itself. Say the mantel is 5' tall, the mirror would be hung with the highest point at 4' above the mantel height. This creates the initial visual vertical symmetry. The width of this mirror is about 1/2 the width of the mantel in this case.

Everything you see within this display has a very traditional undertone with the exception of the single piece of artwork. The accents are all varied in height and shape but have a common color theme - blue and white. The flowers can be seasonal so they will change color depending on that. The cherry blossom branches will as well.

The sconces are tall and narrow repeating the overall shape of the mirror and they are basically centered horizontally with the mirror. And they are very close to the mirror so those 3 elements work as one.

I think what you need to do is figure out what your overall design theme will be to help you determine your base structure - traditional, contemporary, French Country, etc. Then work on the main pieces - the mirror and the sconces. Then once you've determined all of that, the accessories (the supporting players) will be easier to pull together. And only stray from your overall design theme with ONE item.

Karen

thanks so much Karen that's very insightful! my style would intuitively lean more traditional, but I'm concerned going too trad would look too contrived with the 2005 house we ended up in.

You can swing it neo-trad easily by the mirror details, sconce style, etc.