Decorating A Fall Mantel With A TV Or Artwork

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Learn how to style a beautiful fall mantel around a TV or large painting with these simple, expert tips. Discover easy ways to create balance, add seasonal decor, and elevate your mantel for a cozy, inviting fall look.

One of the first things I love to do at the start of a new season is decorate my mantel. It sets the tone for the rest of my home’s seasonal decor. Many of us, like me, now have a TV or artwork over our mantels, which are the focal points of our living areas because they are big and attract attention.

We can decorate a fall mantel and bring the coziness of autumn and feel into our homes, even when there is something large above our mantels.

Today’s post is your go-to guide for creating a stunning fall mantel with a TV or artwork on the wall behind the mantel fireplace using tried-and-true interior design principles. I’ve broken everything down into simple, repeatable steps that anyone can follow so you can effortlessly transform your mantel into a seasonal showstopper!

Things To Keep In Mind When Decorting Around A TV

TVs above the mantel have become a common feature in many homes, and most of us have a bit of a love/hate relationship with them. We love the convenience of watching TV from this spot and appreciate that it saves us from needing an extra piece of furniture to house it. But let’s be honest—having a big black rectangle as the focal point of your room, especially above a fireplace, can feel less than ideal when trying to create a cozy, stylish fall space.

That being said, the TV-above-the-mantel trend isn’t going anywhere soon, so instead of letting it frustrate us, let’s embrace it! With a little creativity, you can still decorate a beautiful, inviting mantel for fall that works around your TV. By keeping a few key design principles in mind, you can transform your mantel into a lovely seasonal focal point while still keeping the TV functional and part of the overall aesthetic. Here are a few important things to remember when decorating your fall mantel around a TV…

• Keep functionality in mind: Ensure the decor doesn’t block the TV screen or interfere with remote signals. Choose visually appealing but low-profile items, allowing easy access and viewing without distractions.
• Use symmetry to create balance, but add variety with different textures and heights.
• Keep the remote and other TV essentials within reach and organized by maintaining a clutter-free space.

Things To Keep In Mind When Decorating Around Artwork

A painting or large decorative piece above your mantel can instantly elevate the room’s aesthetic, creating a striking focal point that commands attention. It adds an artistic touch and sets the tone for the entire space.

Here are a few important things to keep in mind…

• Find balance: Ensure your fall decor enhances the artwork rather than overwhelming it.
• Complement, don’t compete: Choose decor that complements the colors and style of the painting or decorative object.
• Thoughtful layering: Layer smaller seasonal items in front of or around the painting to add depth without distracting from the focal piece.
• Coordinate colors: Select fall decor that complements the hues in the artwork, creating a cohesive and unified look.
• Maintain visual flow: Ensure the decor flows naturally around the artwork, directing attention to both the painting and the seasonal elements in harmony.

Enhance Your Space with Fall Decor Without Competing For Attention

When decorating a fall mantel around a TV or artwork, we want to focus on enhancing the space rather than overwhelming it. The TV or artwork should remain the primary focal point, while the fall decor adds warmth and seasonal charm without drawing too much attention away from it.

Too much clutter or oversized decor can compete with the TV or art, making the mantel feel busy and cluttered instead of balanced and inviting.

Keeping the space uncluttered and visually clean makes it more open and harmonious. Opting for fewer, well-placed items with a mix of textures and heights helps create a sense of flow while still allowing the focal point to shine.

Balance Is The Buzzword When Decorating A Mantel For Fall

Decorating a fall mantel around a TV or artwork is all about balance, highlighting your fall decor in a way that complements and enhances the overall look without overwhelming it.

Think about creating and supporting balance in two ways…

• Balance The Overall Look: Make sure that the fall decor complements the artwork and existing elements of the room.
• Balance Decor On Either Side Of A TV Or Artwork: Place matching or similar items on either side of the TV or artwork to frame it without distraction.

Why Balance Is So Important When You Decorate is a helpful post full of solid decorating advice and tips about tried and true balance principles to create a home you love.

Choose A Color Palette That Works With Your Artwork And Room

One of the most important steps in styling your fall mantel display is selecting a fall color palette that not only complements the existing colors on your mantel but also works with the colors in your room. This ensures that your fall decor feels cohesive and intentional, rather than out of place or overwhelming.

It’s essential to consider how the colors of your fall touches, such as small pumpkins, foliage, and candles, will work alongside your mantel’s focal point, whether it’s a TV or a piece of artwork.

It’s important that your fall accents capture the warm colors of the season. Carefully choose a fall hue that would work as an interesting pop of color and use it in small doses. By choosing a well-coordinated color palette, your mantel will pay homage to the season and look beautiful in the rest of your space.

Symmetry Will Elevate Your Mantel

A symmetrically decorated mantel is such an easy way to create a beautiful, balanced look that feels effortless! Symmetry works especially well on a fireplace mantel, where it accentuates the room’s focal point. Our eyes are naturally drawn to symmetry because it creates a sense of order and harmony, making the space feel more inviting and cozy.

Whether you’re arranging matching candlesticks, vases, or your favorite fall decor, symmetry helps pull everything together and gives your mantel a polished, intentional look. Adding a bit of symmetry to your fall mantel can instantly elevate the space and make it feel stylish yet welcoming for the season. It’s a simple design trick that makes a big difference!

Choose Different Textures

Texture is your fall mantel’s best friend! It brings warmth, coziness, and interest to your display, making a fall mantel feel inviting and perfect for the season.

When decorating your fall mantel, try mixing different textures—like leaves, rough wood accents, organics, smooth ceramics, and woven baskets. Layering these different textures will add depth and richness to your mantel, giving it that cozy fall look we all love.

Vary Heights

Varying heights on a fall mantel is key to creating a visually interesting look. Using decor items of different heights draws the eye up and down, adding movement and flow to the arrangement. This prevents the mantel from feeling flat or one-dimensional, making the overall look more engaging and balanced. By playing with varying heights, you create depth, which helps make each piece stand out while still contributing to the cohesive design.

This is important, especially if you have a large flat object on the wall behind your mantel.

Incorporating items like tall candlesticks, medium-sized vases, and smaller pumpkins or decorative accessories helps establish a fall-layered look that feels intentional and thoughtfully arranged. Remember, a mantel with varied heights looks far more polished and balanced, making your fall decor pop in the best way possible!

Fall Items To Choose

Use beautiful seasonal decor and other accents from your home to create a cozy fall mantel. Here are ideas for using seasonal decor to enhance your mantel.

• Real or faux pumpkins: To add seasonal charm without overwhelming the space, place a trio of small pumpkins along the mantel.
• Candlesticks and candles: Place tall candlesticks or chunky candle holders on either side of the mantel to provide height, while lower candles can be scattered for a cozy, warm glow.
• Garland: Drape a fall-themed garland, such as one made from faux leaves or berries, along the length of the mantel to bring texture and a seasonal touch.
• Fall stems and branches: Use tall vases to display faux or real branches with fall leaves or berries. They add height and natural texture without obstructing the TV or artwork.
• Natural elements: To give the arrangement an organic, earthy feel, incorporate pinecones, acorns, or dried corn husks in small bowls or scattered along the mantel.
• Magnolia leaves: Arrange magnolia leaves in a vase or weave them into the garland for a touch of greenery that adds richness and elegance to the display.
• Lanterns: Place one or two lanterns at the edges of the mantel to bring a rustic, cozy vibe and additional lighting.
• Vases or jars: Fill vases with dried flowers, wheat, or fall-colored florals to add pops of color and texture without overwhelming the space.
• Books: Stack a few neutral-colored books horizontally to add height and create levels for smaller decor pieces like pumpkins or candles.
• Small framed artwork or prints: Layer a few small framed autumn prints or inspirational quotes in front of the TV or art to personalize the mantel without distracting from the main focal point.

These Designer Concepts Will Work On Other Flat Surfaces

The same concepts in today’s posts can also be used for any flat surface in your home that has a mirror or artwork hanging on the wall behind it.

Decorating a fall mantel around a TV or artwork doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few key design principles—like balance, symmetry, and varying heights—you can create a beautiful, cohesive look that enhances both the focal point and the seasonal decor. Whether layering textures, adding pumpkins, or incorporating natural elements, your mantel can be a stunning centerpiece for your home this fall.

So, get creative, have fun, and let your mantel reflect the warmth and beauty of the season. With these fall mantel ideas, you’ll have a fall mantel that feels inviting, cozy, and perfectly in tune with the rest of your decor!

Shopping

Here are the items in our living room shown in this post. When the exact product is no longer available, a close item is chosen.

Happy Fall Decorating