We recently purchased our first home at 26 yo! We’ve done some work to the house, but there’s much more to do. I’m just trying to make it feel like home for now, but I’m really struggling with this room. Almost everything I have is inherited or second hand, and I am on a budget. Please give me your advice on how you would make this mantel work, I haven’t found any inspiration pics that are similar.
I think the empty space is bothering me, but I like the big frame in the middle. I know I need a rug, any recommendations??
I also included pics of my other living space, which I am pretty happy with, considering most pieces have been collected over time.
by ehunter112
8 Comments
The candles and painting make it feel like a shrine. Everything is clustered around one point which makes it feel weird and the rest feel empty. I would remove the candles and go for a gallery style wall and spread out your knick knacks a bit.
I think the fireplace looks sick. An alternative, paint the wall in a bolder color, and have a reflected circle from the mantle above it in a contrasting color
I would paint a complementary color to your couch and floors. Maybe a green and add a piece of large wall art or mirror above the mantle.
I’d trying using AI on how this space could look like. Just paste these images and the your thoughts and ask it for a mock up
It does have a shrine like feel to it. And all that brick is way heavy for the whole room. I’d consider painting it and building bookshelves with matching paint over it if the fireplace brick itself is deep enough.
Or I would paint the whole room one of the rust colors in the brick, so the fireplace mantle doesn’t stand out as much
That is a cool mantel. But it looks thin, so I’d remove the tchotchkes and spread oversized art across the whole thing.
That’s such a beautiful colour of brick, do not paint it! What I would do is make a built in bookshelf on either side then connect them with a new wood mantle on the brick in the middle. That way you could better frame your art in the middle and gain the warmth of wood to offset the brick without being in your face. Alternatively just adding a wooden mantle across the whole thing. I’d look into painting the walls too
The mantel is gorgeous and that color would work MUCH better if the walls can be painted. I think a soft, earthy green or blue would really make the color pop more. The white walls aren’t doing the mantel justice. Then more art on that wall. I wouldn’t do a gallery wall, per se, because that’ll drown out the mantel, but definitely more art of different types and materials.
Congratulations, buying a home at 26 is impressive!!
You also have done well achieving a cohesive look , collecting furnishings and art over time.
As far as the fireplace mantle goes, to fill the space and balance things out, you could consider built in bookshelves above and on either side of the art.
Granted they would be narrow, you might be able to make them an inch or so deeper than the brick ledge though.
Consider painting the bookshelves and walls all the same color, which will make it all look intentional and custom.
Carefully planned out shelves would not only give you a place for books. But any other items you would like to display.
Adding wall sconces and a picture light might also appeal to you.