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Decorating your mantel for Christmas when there’s a TV right above it doesn’t have to be problematic! With a few careful considerations and the right decorations, you’ll have a beautifully festive display.
Having our TV smack bang as the focal point in our living room is not ideal. But the layout of our front-to-back space isn’t conducive to having to having it anywhere else.
I love having it over our electric fireplace and DIY surround the vast majority of the time. It’s so cozy watching the glow of the fire while the TV is one! But it does pose some challenges when it comes to decorating the mantel for Christmas.
I’ve searched high and low for the best Christmas mantel ideas, and these specifically work well with a large TV overhead.
How to Decorate a Mantel with a TV Above it
Big displays and layered mirrors or artwork are clearly out. Instead, I like to focus on adding some height to the sides of the TV as well as garland that drapes across the mantel and down.
1. Focus on Scale
Flank either side of the TV with one or two taller items and keep everything else low to the mantel. For the tall items, I like to use skinny vases, tapered candle stick holders, mini Christmas trees or hurricane candle holders – but anything tall and relatively skinny will work.
In the above example, I have a simple vase filled with dried flowers that lives on the mantel for the majority of the year. I added a glass star ornament and a gold votive holder to round out the arrangement.
In this example, I have a taller candle holder with a few smaller items next to it.
2. Garland is Your Best Friend
Garland truly is your best friend when it comes to decorating your mantel for Christmas. Not only can it lay across your mantel but it can also drape across the front. I highly recommend using faux garland as it will last the entire holiday season. Weave battery-operated string lights through the garland for that special twinkle
There are several ways you can hang the garland. You can use lay it on top, swag it across (like above) or hang it assymetrically down just one side of the mantel.
You can also add extra embellishments to your garland like eucalyptus stems, pinecones, ornaments, and bells.
3. Add Stocking Hangers
Hang stockings with stocking hangers or mantel clips. Whichever you choose is a personal preference. I tend to go back and forth between the two, depending on how I’m decorating in a given year.
4. Utilize The Space in Front of The Fireplace
There’s prime real estate for decorating in front of your fireplace, too! The fireplace hearth can be kept bare, you can add some simple lanterns or a plant, or go all out.
The front of the mantel surround is also another spot where you can add some festive charm.
I like to string different types of garlands, like bells or beads so that they hang underneath my main faux garland.
5. Turn Your TV into Art
One of the biggest issues with having a TV over your fireplace is that your focal point is an ugly big black box. I overcame this issue a couple of years ago by switching out my previous TV for a Frame TV that displays artwork. You can change the frames and the screen is designed to be glare-free so that it looks like art, and not just like you popped a picture on your TV.
Of course, switching out TV’s is not in everyone’s budget (and the Frame TV is NOT cheap). You can also just search YouTube for art you like and have that display when you’re entertaining or having guests over!
Other Ideas
Since my fireplace is the main focal point of my living room, I like to place my Christmas tree alongside it, so that the tree is also part of the focal point. Luckily, I have a space to the left of my fireplace that’s perfect for the tree, and it creates an asymmetrical look that I love.
I always recommend choosing a color scheme for your Christmas decor, and your mantel is part of that, too! A cohesive color palette will create a stunning mantel that you’ll be able to enjoy throughout the festive season.
pine garland // wooden Christmas trees // pinecone picks // ceramic trees
mercury glass ornament garland // wooden stocking holders // brass stocking holders
ceramic vase set // bells // brass lantern
Final Thoughts
I hope I’ve inspired you to decorate your mantel this Christmas, even if it has a TV hanging right over it! By following these few simple tips, you too will have a beautiful Christmas mantel that will be the perfect focal point in your room.
Inside your builtins is that paint or wall paper? If it’s paint what color?
It’s paint – Sherwin Williams Serious Gray :-)
This is the first year that I have had a TV above the mantle. Thanks for the stunning inspirations for decorating the mantle. You’ve, once again, waved your wand and conjured Christmas magic. Thanks again! Merry Christmas!