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Home decoration
Original poster

What's missing from my fireplace?

65 replies

Badundun · 03/09/2023 19:45

Posting here as I definitely don't have an eye for design and need help!

We have finally gotten round to getting a new mirror that actually fits, however I feel like the wall needs something else and it doesn't look finished.

We cannot hang the wall on the mirror due to electrical wires in the wall, if we could I feel it would look better but we also don't want to hit any wires! Would it work having something on the wall either side of the mirror? And if so what might look good? Browsing online for inspiration but can't find anything that I think would look good.

What's missing from my fireplace?
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Original poster
Badundun · 03/09/2023 21:41

Have managed to find a picture of the entire room (kind of!)

We did look at a rug, however decided against it as with the table and ottoman we thought it would look too busy? Can you tell this is our first property and have no idea what we are doing? 😂 we pretty much had to tear everything out and start from scratch as it was a very dated 70s style flat and we have only done 2 rooms so far (neither of which are either properly finished and definitely not perfect due to our dodgy painting and DIY skills)

Would a small runner style rug suit sitting in front of the fire place?

Will investigate ways on how to hang the mirror as that is the biggest problem I think. Don't really have the option to buy a new mirror as we don't have the money just yet!

What's missing from my fireplace?
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GreenishFinger · 03/09/2023 21:42

Can the fire be brought forward a bit, it looks too pushed back?

BlackberryCrumbs · 03/09/2023 21:42

If the plug socket is fairly central then the wires will likely run straight up, in the middle.

You need a large rectangular mirror or picture and hang from each corner, avoiding the central wires.

GreenishFinger · 03/09/2023 21:43

Cross post with the wider-view photo. Have you thought about painting the whole room blue?

MarvellousMinnie · 03/09/2023 21:45

The large rectangle mirror in the second photo looks much more balanced!

Original poster
Badundun · 03/09/2023 21:45

GreenishFinger · 03/09/2023 21:43

Cross post with the wider-view photo. Have you thought about painting the whole room blue?

We did consider it as I love the colour, but I was afraid it would make the room too dark as the window is fairly small. I've got lots of frames up on the other walls though which I think makes it look more interesting.

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Trenchfootinthescottishhighlandstoday · 03/09/2023 21:46

A dpet bed on the floor by the fire...

Original poster
Badundun · 03/09/2023 21:46

MarvellousMinnie · 03/09/2023 21:45

The large rectangle mirror in the second photo looks much more balanced!

We can't hang it unfortunately as it fits flush to the wall and the plug would be in the way.

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katmunchkin · 03/09/2023 21:46

Not easy to change but I think the mantelpiece looks too short and too high - all out of proportion! Lovely room though

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Badundun · 03/09/2023 21:47

Trenchfootinthescottishhighlandstoday · 03/09/2023 21:46

A dpet bed on the floor by the fire...

With a cocker spaniel puppy inside? If only I could convince DH 😭

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Sussurations · 03/09/2023 21:48

I think NeverDropYourMooncup’s idea of battening the back of the mirror is good but a boxy canvas print would be very light and thus much easier to hang than a mirror. It needs to
be BIG though and preferably rectangular (portrait) not square. Hang it with a bit of breathing space above the mantel.

paint inside the fireplace in a more complementary white - it’s very stark, as is the skirting (I’d consider painting that off-black to ‘ground’ the chimney breast a bit).

Get a hearthrug of some sort.

bring the stove further forward in the space.

Get a big vase or a big plant in a nice pot and put it in front of the chimney breast.

instead of just a plain candle on the mantel either get one in a container or dinner candles in holders and consider replacing your plant pot with one in black or a sort of jewel colour.

determinedtomakethiswork · 03/09/2023 21:49

Personally, I would have a mirror the same width as the wooden mantelpiece and just have it resting on there. I'd have a silver frame. Lovely room!

Aquamarine1029 · 03/09/2023 21:51

The large rectangular mirror is light years better than the round one, and it does not need to be hung. The way it is in the picture is your best option by far. The round mirror doesn't work at all, and I would not paint the entire room that blue colour.

parietal · 03/09/2023 21:51

definitely paint the inside of the fireplace in a different (dark) colour. deep brown or black.

definitely a rug

I'd have a canvas picture above the fireplace instead of the mirror. much lighter and easier to hang, and you can then get some colour and interest in that space.

Bemyclementine · 03/09/2023 21:52

What paint is the blue please OP?

yetanothernamechange1234567890 · 03/09/2023 21:52

I'd move the beam down if possible heres mige

yetanothernamechange1234567890 · 03/09/2023 21:52

Forgot to add

What's missing from my fireplace?
Original poster
Badundun · 03/09/2023 21:58

parietal · 03/09/2023 21:51

definitely paint the inside of the fireplace in a different (dark) colour. deep brown or black.

definitely a rug

I'd have a canvas picture above the fireplace instead of the mirror. much lighter and easier to hang, and you can then get some colour and interest in that space.

What size rug do you think? One that covers the majority of the floor space or one just in front of the hearth?

Also if anyone has any suggestions for a nice canvas I'm open to suggestions 😁 I know art is very subjective but I'm not artistic at all so need all the help I can get. We just put this William Morris print up on the wall in-between the kitchen and the living room, I love that type of style

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90yomakeuproom · 03/09/2023 21:58

Going completely rogue compared to everyone else.....
Put your TV there.

JetBlackSteed · 03/09/2023 21:59

A few things. The rectangular tv would look better than either mirror in that space if you can batten the walls either side of the plug socket to hold it.
The actual mantle needs to sit immediately above the opening, or, if you can't do that painting that space white will open it up.
you need a bright pop of colour, burnt Orange/red/mustard in accessories and a rug in front of the fire, but not a runner. Rectangle to tie in with the size of the fire and the shapes of the bookshelves and tv.
nice blue though.

determinedtomakethiswork · 03/09/2023 22:00

Trenchfootinthescottishhighlandstoday · 03/09/2023 21:46

A dpet bed on the floor by the fire...

What is a dpet bed? You don't have to put D in front of everything!

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Badundun · 03/09/2023 22:00

yetanothernamechange1234567890 · 03/09/2023 21:52

Forgot to add

That looks beautiful! In hindsight I would have definitely wanted the beam longer, and the space where the fire was to be bigger. We ripped out an old gas fire and back boiler and thought the hole would be a lot bigger than it actually was. We had to knock some bricks out either side but could only make it a tiny bit wider. Would have loved to have the bricks exposed but they were not in great condition and we went for the path of least resistance and plasterboard it.

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Trenchfootinthescottishhighlandstoday · 03/09/2023 22:02

A Spaniel would be perfect op!

gillygeey · 03/09/2023 22:04

the mantle is in the wrong position with the big gap, the proportions are all off.

Geppili · 03/09/2023 22:20

A pooch.

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