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Julie Abshire I have a similar problem and my fireplace looks a lot like yours. My husband hung our TV over the mantle and I cannot stand it.
An interior designer suggested we paint the fireplace and showed us pictures from other people's homes that painted theirs. The change was AMAZING!!

Juniper River Home Design First of all.. BEAUTIFUL fireplace that we are working with. Here is my advise:
* I would suggest 3 smaller photos or a round mirror over the mantle instead of the TV and painting battling it out for "who is the largest".
* Introduce some movement on the mantle with different heights and textures. You can do this with candle sticks and frames of different heights or votives, wood, glass, mercury glass , mirror- try to think of The Elements.
* If you need to put something on the floor, it should have height and substance. For example, if you want to keep the vase where it is, put some dried grasses in it.
* The cabinet under the TV is too small. Right now you have a series of squares and the one under the TV is throwing off the balance. Look for something wider than the TV not only for balance but also to cover the outlets.
*NOTE: I see that you have frames on the table under the TV. I would suggest choosing either the cabinet under the TV OR the mantle - not both. It gets too busy with both.
Best of luck!!

Julie Abshire I would move your TV to the wall to the left and use the area that it currently resides to:
Add a bar/wine case with a mirror above it
Or
Place a piece of furniture that is special to you, buy a new piece, or refurbish a piece you can get a good deal on. You could use the area to display family heirlooms, pictures, go with a bold large center piece, or add shelving.

I collect Fleur de Lis and Crosses. That would be a perfect area to hang my Fleur de Lis collection.

The possibilities are unlimited ;)

Based on your pictures, you might have to rearrange your couch for better viewing of the TV.

I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL! Just a person struggling with the same problem you have - but I don't have the wall space you do...

chlopaige Thanks for the suggestions Julie and Juniper! I just shared them with my husband and we completely agree with them! i will be shopping for a bigger piece of furniture and doing the other suggestions too! I feel like this could be a semi-easy fix!

Julie Abshire Juniper IS THE PROFESSIONAL!! Awesome ideas!! When I get home I'm going to submit pictures of my fireplace and would LOVE and appreciate any advice!!

Eurocerob You may also consider building a custom insert piece of furniture -- the recessed area where is the TV near the fireplace -- which can accommodate your needs . Design , color , shape , style , all can be done by a cabinet fabricator and create a '' one unit feeling '' .

What's Inside Design Ltd. Good morning Chlopaige,
When I hear you say "higher end" I think "formal".

There are several ways to achieve a formal look...

I've concentrated on 3 for you:
-Symmetrical balance
-Contrast
-Height

I have digitally added a few items to your space so you can see what I mean.

Good luck and have fun! You have a beautiful space!

Caroline :)

shortped I am not a professional either, so take my advice as u wish. I would move the sectional so that the right arm was aligned with kitchen and left side is where chair is....then put tv on wall where picture is...then a beautiful furniture piece (antique secretary?) in recessed area...then emphasize mantle and area above it as focal area. I would use wider piece under tv then, maybe with some storage.

Interiors International, Inc. A built in that will pull the TV out of the hole it is in will add a lot.

chlopaige Thanks so much! Caroline, thanks for taking the time to put your ideas in that picture. It is very much appreciated!!!!! Christa

What's Inside Design Ltd. My pleasure!
I hope it helps!

Julie Abshire Shorted - that is EXACTLY what I was trying to say

ddrc i would get the tv out of the hole and put a chair in there. put the tv on the short wall with a long cabinet
for storage. pull the sectional over to other side where the window is. then the other chair would fit with the end table between the chair and the end of the sectional with the kitchen behind them. the mantel does need something different on it also over it. it is hard for everyone to see the tv in a small area.
hope it all comes together for you.

Welcome Home designs I agree with the suggestion for a built in for your TV.
Here is an example.

oct1976 I think it looks unbalanced. My thought would be to fill in the tv area with a built in entertainment area in the white with cabinet below or shelves with tv above.

chlopaige Thanks for the ideas everyone. I will share pictures when I am done:)