How to Decorate a Two-Story Fireplace

Consider how the room is arranged. Look at whether furniture fits best looking toward the fireplace, or away from it in order to decide what type of items will be most functional for decoration.

Mount a television screen above the mantel, directly in line with the fireplace in rooms where you wish for the fireplace and television to be a central gathering point. Select a television that is similar in size to the width of the fireplace and mount it just high enough so that it is comfortable to look at and protected from the heat of the fireplace when in use.

Place a large piece of artwork directly above the mantel. Choose a piece that coordinates with the style of the room and hang the artwork within the space of the first story to help the room look coordinated. For a more relaxed look, lean the art against the wall, using the mantel as a shelf. If you are unable to locate the perfect artwork, consider using a large mirror or canvas printed family photo.

Hang a grouping of photos or wall hangings at staggered heights above the mantel. Use a set of favorite photos, or select memorabilia that coordinates with the room. For example, use antlers or old fishing tackle in a lodge-style home. Likewise, hang wrought iron designs or handmade clay plates in a Spanish-style home.

Decorate the mantel itself, if is is not being used for securing larger objects, by arranging houseplants, vases of flowers, decorative plates or small photos along the shelf. Arrange items with a similar theme so that both the mantel and the wall space above the fireplace act as focal points and tie in to one another. For example, a pair of antlers hung above the fireplace in a lodge-style home may be paired with pine cones or hunting photos arranged along the mantel.