It really needs only one focal point; a great piece of art no wider than the firebox opening below, hung 5" above the mantel. When budget allows, the mantel needs beefing up; its quite thin. I think it should be half the thickness of the two pieces supporting it from the floor. It seems a bit bottom heavy and needs some balance up top.

Hang the artwork--like art is supposed to be. Then put something on the mantle. Don't like it? Put something else there. Want to change it 2 weeks from now? Go ahead.

There is no way that this is a dilemma. There's no expense, no commitment, no right or wrong, no permanence--just stuff on a mantle that can be changed on a whim or with the seasons. Do what you like; nobody but you will ever see it, so no judgement.

With the television and stand in one corner paired with a small mantle the room feels off balance. Is it possible for you to hang the television above the fireplace? If not, I would hang a large piece of art above the mantle like the previous post suggested. The vases add a very pretty pop of color but they look very cluttered on the mantle. You can try taking some of the larger ones, putting them on the floor to the left of the fireplace and filling them with tall artificial greens to fill up the space on the left. Otherwise a tall potted plant would serve a similar function.

I'd hang the art and put just one vase on the mantle. Rotate the vases every few weeks so you get to see them all - just not all at the same time.

I would take everything down and start over. Put some art work on the walls, add some books, something vertical. Here's a picture of a mantel I did in two different ways. Use what you have, or go by hobby lobby with their 40% off coupon and get some books at the thrift store and remove the covers.

Have fun with it, and change it up with the seasons!

too many vases. remove those. hang the picture.

examples

look into something for the left side. a tall plant, a small console, a small bench,,etc

something like this or similar. (your tv could be hung on the wall to the right.

maybe get a wood mantel to top what you have

The whole wall is off balance. Can the TV go somewhere else, like on the wall to the right, maybe on an articulating arm so you can pull it out to watch?

Grover, could you please just decorate all of our houses?

Kudos to you for NOT putting the TV over the fireplace. In most spaces, seeing that always makes me hear NIN .... "bow down to the one you serve...."

Mantel-wise, a bit of editing and addition might be in order. I'd keep the art, leaning if you like. Doesn't need to be centered. (first pic below isn't,for example) Edit the vases and the two smaller items. I might end up with two vases and that light (?) on one side only,depends. My choices would differ thru the year. Rotate your items, a mantel should not be a static vignette. (although I get that some like to do that) Allow your items space to breathe, let the deep wall color surround them, and try mixing material,heights, and shapes. Fresh flowers in a vase look great, so does greenery, but random dried stuff doesn't. Consider adding something tall,slim and metallic for more height if you wish. Like a candlestick,a sculpture. Or add a small painting in front of your art. Mantels, like console tables or shelves can look great minimal, maximal, and in between. But they are only part of the whole room.

If relocating the TV is possible,I would. Could it fit on the other side of the fireplace? That would open up that TV corner for a low,open chair.

Overall,it seems to me that you've created a personal and layered space. Edit it a bit and see if you enjoy it even more.

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