The fireplace is the centerpiece of your living room. Help it to be a beautiful focal point where everyone wants to gather by adding tasteful adornments. Here are some helpful tips for decorating your fireplace mantel.

• Strike a balance: No matter what items you set on the mantelpiece, strive to keep each side balanced. Symmetrical balance is the traditional way to achieve this, meaning the left and right sides are mirror images of each other. A more modern approach is to produce an asymmetrical design with objects of varying heights and styles on each side. This requires a keen eye and a little experimenting, but it may fit your personality better.
• Keep scale in mind: If you have a small fireplace insert, don’t overwhelm it with disproportionately large mantelpiece decorations. On the other hand, if you have a stately fireplace with vaulted ceilings above, large-scale ornaments are appropriate to create a statement.
• Show off art: The mantel is the perfect place to showcase your favorite artists. Hang one large painting or a collage of pictures as the centerpiece. Then, line the mantelpiece with figurines, flower vases or candlesticks to complete the look.
• Hang a mirror: Create the illusion of a bigger, brighter room by hanging a large mirror above the fireplace. You can even simply set the mirror on the mantel and lean it against the wall. Colored glass bottles, treasure boxes and small framed pictures add charm to the otherwise simple mantel design.
• Display a clock: Everyone’s eyes will glance at the fireplace whenever they’re curious about the time. Choose a large wall clock for the greatest effect, and line the mantle with stacks of books, greenery or pottery.
• Mount a TV: Flat-screen TVs are a living room staple. The mantel may be the best place to mount yours. To create a pleasing aesthetic, consider hiding the TV behind a cabinet when not in use, or frame the TV and turn it on with a screensaver running to transform it into a piece of art. If there’s room, add a few small items to the mantel, such as a bowl of fruit or candlesticks, being sure not to block the screen.
• Go seasonal: Use the mantelpiece as a place to display holiday decorations. Rotate these out in different seasons to make your living room festive and inviting.
• Switch it up: If you ever grow tired of the items displayed on your mantel, it’s easy to change them out for something else. Be on the lookout for new themes whenever you visit home decorating stores, from traditional to nautical to art deco.