What's missing from my fireplace?

[Badundun]

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.

How on earth is there a socket on your chimney breast wall? I'd be moving that.

The proportions are wrong. The fire is too small and too low for the ceiling height. If it came up to the underside of your mantlepiece it would look more balanced. Or maybe you could frame it somehow - that electric fire seems to cower in its niche hoping no-one will notice it.

The electrician put it there when he re-wired in case we were going to put the TV on the wall.

This isn't my room, it's off Houzz. But you could achieve similar.

Your electrician was right, that's the prime spot for a tv! 😀

Your mirror needs to be bigger

Do not tell DH that, he will be smug in his right-ness and I may have to bury him 😂

Without a hearth the fire seems weirdly far off the ground.

Would you consider tiling the fireplace? A darker colour would be better but painting might be too flat. I feel the room needs more texture. Maybe a brick effect if you wanted the exposed look.

I think you should create a hearth, then you can stand a few bits on there too. Ideally make it the same height as the stove so you can bring the stove out into the room a bit. The strip of white skirting below the fire looks a bit out of place, of you can't make a hearth maybe paint it blue then add a rug.

The biggest problem for me is the position of the mantle, it's odd floating in the middle of the wall. Length is ok but it needs to come down (appreciate it's easy for me to say that...). Agree also some kind of 'hearth' underneath is needed, a rug would help as a quick fix.

I'm with you on not putting the tv on the wall though :-)

Imho @Badundun both the fireplace opening and the mantle are floating in the space which creates an odd look. Painting inside the opening a dark colour and lowering the beam would definitely make a big difference and if a hearth the height of the floor of the opening could be added that, too, would be an improvement!

I wouldn't put the TV on the chimney breast but am also not a fan of the round mirror. A large box canvas would be preferable I think. Rug-wise, the larger the better - ideally the front sofa feet should be sitting on the rug.

This is our kitchen fireplace. Originally the whole breast was brick (which I hated) with no beam, but DH battened, boarded and skimmed it before adding the beam. I think beams always look better sitting directly above the opening. I love it now, especially since adding the wallpaper.....

Love your style @LibertyLily

Thank you!

I hadn't really considered the floating mantle. Ours is directly above the opening and looks good.