that's a pretty fireplace with some nice custom trim work. it's a shame the tv covers most of it. between the trim, the mantle and the tv, I don't think you need to add anything else. (your tv is actually set a bit too high. I'd lower it a good 6-8") See the height of htis one? needs to be closer to your mantle

what you can do is decorate the sides of the fireplace

if you can swing this, it would look better

or try something like these

See? nothing on the mantle

if you can't do built ins or floating shelves, try a tall potted plant in the one corner, make a small chest w/some art above it in the other

@Beth H. : I need at least 8 inches for the mount clearance but still want to fill the gap when it's up

ok. so you bring it down like that to watch and then flip it back up? in the up position the sound bar looked like the mount. can you mount the sound bar on the mantle and lower the mount so the tv sits right above it?

the last thing you want is a crowded overdone mantle. if you had no trim work, I'd say fine. but the trim work AND the huge tv and sound bar all contribute visually. That really is beautiful molding on the fireplace. it should be seen, not covered. no where else for the tv to go?

The sides of the fireplace are what you need to work on. the space looks bare because it is. filling up the mantle isn't going to solve that problem.

few ideas for the sides.

you could do the shelves, or a plant,

or a bench w/art, or a chest w/art or mirror above, and a bench or plant on the other side.

(I lowered the tv)

see how it automatically fills in those blank spots? you don't need anything on the mantle

this one is pretty simple. do some type of chest w/art or decor on top of it

I think something like this would look great. (look into billy bookcase hack. they look like built ins but way cheaper)

Nice fireplace.. shame about the TV.. does it have to be above the fire it's very overbearing !

nothing for the mantle but put a book case and reading lamp on the left side. On the right side, get a big tree. Looks like you have plenty of natural light there. Ask a local nursery for a good suggestion. Show them this picture so they can see where you want to put the tree.

Great suggestions from Beth. Agree it's unfortunate to cover the trim work. Nothing needs to be added to the mantel with the TV there.

Nothing on the mantel if the TV is going to be turned on.

That tv is just too large. Can it be relocated to another tv area in the house? Get a smaller one that isn't any wider than your fireplace insert.

We were initially going to do built ins on either side but the sectional ends both recline and it was going to be too tight, the right side has a hidden door to access electronics so I think a plant would work on that side and I like the visual Beth did below.

We bring the tv down to watch, my husband will be working on it this weekend to see the max he can lower it while giving it clearance the instructions say min 8. He is also going to maybe add some additional trim to the top we were iffy on whether it needed to be symmetrical

The TV is huge but he has no man cave and the TV and this ugly sectional are the only thing my husband cares about so they both stay for now.

I am really not a weapons type of person but I am thinking a samurai or other historic sword would look good hooked across the front of the mantle. ;)

For the left side of the room, how about a very simple bookcase like this to lighten the room?

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Then you could informally add a very useful plug-in clamp light to provide for reading that is easy to push out of the way

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And a tree or big plant on a plant stand for the right side

@User I have small children hahaha omg I can see myself saying don't touch that a 1000 times