If you've got a fireplace, what's above it?

[ImFree2doasiwant]

My house is an end terrace, Victorian. The front room has a lovely open fire, traditional looking, tiled around. There nothing above it and I can't decide what to put there . There is a picture rail above, it's a fairly standard square- ish room about 14ft.

Large mirror/picture/Wall clock?

Any inspiration? Low budget!

No mantelpiece as that was removed years before us but we have a local painting. House is Edwardian.

Big mirror

I too have an antique map above the fireplace. It sets off the vintage theme I’m attempting.

I have an old house, with fireplaces in most rooms.There is a huge oval mirror above one fireplace, a stag's head over another and a cast iron mask over another. An overmantel with nooks, in one bedroom and a big picture in another.
That isn't counting any clocks, candlesticks, invitations, etc, that might be on the mantelpieces.

Edwardian house, seven fireplaces.

Four with mirrors above
One with an overmantel similar to the one in AlwaysLatte’s post
Two with pictures.

If we only had one, I would definitely choose a mirror.

For me always a mirror, never ever a tv. The whole point of mirrors is to make the room look bigger...even for small rooms.

Dappled that's gorgeous!

I've been looking at the space, and actually, because of the picture rail it's not that big despite 9ft high ceilings.

I do have a mirror above the other downstairs fireplace, nothing above my bedroom one

People who have televisions above or extremely close to the fire - how do they not melt? I melted one once. Am I too enthusiastic with the solid fuel?

Also, don’t you want to sit by the fire and feel its heat directly while you look at the tv in a different direction - they would really compete for my attention if I could see them both at the same time?

We have this, signed and framed.

saltsmillshop.co.uk/collections/posters/products/dog-43-poster

Salts Mill! @ErrolTheDragon. Fabulous place. I love those Hockney sausage dog paintings - and I don’t even like dogs much!

We have our tv there. Pictures on other walls.

@LittleTiger007

We have our tv there. Pictures on other walls.

Isn't over a fireplace very high for a tv? I mean, if you’re sitting to watch it on the average height sofa or chair, isn’t it uncomfortable to be looking up to that extent?

Do not put a mirror above the fire place. It's something I singularly hate. It makes the fireplace look like an altar. I can't bear wall mounted t.v. either.

I have a nice rectangular picture above the (gas with fake coals) fireplace, on the chimney breast.

I have a wooden mantle piece which I put our anniversary clock in the centre of. There's usually family photos either side but they have been moved to accommodate the Christmas cards.

The hearth is small and does not match the mantle, but at least it's there.

Not a real fire or proper fireplace, but like others - a mirror is always a good option. Please don't put your TV above it! 😬

@ToffeeNotCoffee

Do not put a mirror above the fire place. It's something I singularly hate. It makes the fireplace look like an altar. I can't bear wall mounted t.v. either.

I have a nice rectangular picture above the (gas with fake coals) fireplace, on the chimney breast.

I have a wooden mantle piece which I put our anniversary clock in the centre of. There's usually family photos either side but they have been moved to accommodate the Christmas cards.

The hearth is small and does not match the mantle, but at least it's there.

This has really tickled me hard. Just the first paragraph really 😀

Cobwebs

We rented our house out for a few years when we worked away. Our tenant had put their TV above the fireplace. When we moved back, they hadn't bothered to make good and with all the holes, it looked like someone had been crucified.

Do not put a mirror above the fire place. It's something I singularly hate. It makes the fireplace look like an altar.

Given that people have been putting mirrors over fireplaces for centuries, you might be on your own there!

I have never seen an altar with a mirror over it! 🙄Now, if you put a cross or stained glass above, then I could see a similarity!

You could hang a picture or mirror from the rail. It would look lovely.

Our house is early Victorian/late Georgian. We have a large canvas print of a very stylised landscape in shades of grey/blue from King & McGraw. Several pieces of ceramic that DD has produced (she's going to art school so luckily they look like gallery pieces) and a string of tiny, pin point fairy lights.

It's all very understated and restrained. I can't bear clutter.

@LovingCountryLife where did you get your stags head from? It looks fab and I’m looking for one.

I’ve a bit of a skull fetish going on ans have a carved water buffalo skull and two sheep skulls in the house and would love a stag one.

Op, I think it’s personal taste, we habe mirrors. Which seems the most popular. I think it just makes the room lighter and reflects the light back in.

Don’t put an expensive painting if you do use a painting, as the heat from the chimney breast could damage it, if the fire is used.

Do not put a mirror above the fire place. It's something I singularly hate. It makes the fireplace look like an altar. I can't bear wall mounted t.v. either.

Or maybe just don't invite that poster to your house...

It's candlesticks on the mantelpiece which can make it look a bit altar-ish - but really I'd only avoid a triptych and crucifix combo. Otoh if that's your thing... I'm being a tat hypocritical, I've got a nice carved sandalwood Indian Buddha on my mantle beneath the dachshunds.

Yes if you plan to use the fireplace be careful about what painting you put above it!

We’re still deciding whether we want a fireplace or a wood burning stove in the living room...but for now we put a painting there to break up the expanse of very dark green wall. The room doesn’t need any extra light and it’s also a large room so it doesn’t need the illusion of more space. The dining room is quite dingy so the mirror helps in there.