The lack of a working fireplace has always been a challenge for me. Growing up in Florida, I never felt the need for one. However, when I moved to my first place in LA and finally had a mantel and hearth to style, I was thrilled (even though the fireplace was non-operable). Most of the time, that area became a catch-all for our clutter, from boxes to baby gear. I loosely styled it for a photo once, but since then, I haven’t had much experience with what to do in front of a fireplace. Styling a mantel is easier for me since it’s just another vertical surface to make look pretty.
Now, as September approaches, I am faced with the challenge of making the fireplace in my North Carolina home look better. In the first few months, it was covered by a bench holding our TV, but now that it’s hung, I’m determined to improve its current situation. If you find yourself in a similar design stalemate, unsure of how to decorate your hearth, this post is for you!
I’ve put together five “formulas” for elevating this area, whether in the living room, bedroom, or den. Fireplaces come in many forms, so not every formula will work for every configuration. However, they should inspire you to find something that suits your needs and tastes. Let’s explore the options:
Formula #1: Stool + Stool (Or One Single Bench)
This formula