Our Art above a Fireplace Recommendations
In this guide, we'll go over basic rules for artwork above a fireplace and share 5 of our suggestions.
We group these suggestions by style, color, and size to show you various choices for artwork above the fireplace.
You can purchase them directly from our website or contact us with any questions.
But first, why have an art piece above a fireplace to begin with? Because art above a fireplace has a perfect focal point in the room. It will look great in that spot!
1. Typically, a room has a nice, clean white background above a fireplace, with even, aesthetically pleasing rectangular proportions. This creates an elegant frame-within-a-frame visual border around your artwork, which draws the eye's attention to it.
2. Note also a nice white pedestal that the fireplace itself creates for the artwork. Similarly to the way art galleries exhibit works of art on a pedestal, your artwork is emphasized.
3. Plus, clean vertical column support usually surrounds fireplaces. These visual "columns" add additional framing and negative white space so that the artwork stands out even more.
Anatomy of a fireplace
Let's first start with some terminology. A typical fireplace has several key parts:
Fireplace Width
The fireplace's dimension is one of the most important considerations for the artwork above a fireplace. Specifically, the dimensions to consider are the width of the mantel shelf, the width of the wall behind it and the vertical distance above the mantel.
The typical mantel shelf width above a fireplace is 60 to 72 inches (5 or 6 feet). Most fireplace mantel shelves in Home Depot or Lowes, for example, are of that size.
Your size might vary, of course, but you can use the same rules to apply to fireplaces of different sizes.
Art size above a fireplace
So, what should the size of art above a fireplace be? The key dimension is artwork width, and the secondary is height.
As described in How to Hang a Canvas Painting guide, typically, we'd like to have 6-8 inches of empty wall space around an artwork. So-called "breathing room" or negative space around the art. The frame around the work should be 6-8 inches on all sides. This will create a virtual "frame" of empty space. The empty space should be evenly distributed on the top, bottom, left, and right sides.
This means the ideal art above a fireplace should be 36-48 inches wide, or the size of the mantel shelf minus twice the margin around the artwork.
This painting by Lobsang Durney happens to be 40 inches wide, and the fireplace mantle is 60 inches wide. 10 inches of white space on each side let's the painting "breathe" and creates a nice visual frame around it.
Our Recommendations
In the next section, we'll present 5 of our recommendations. These art recommendations will help you to visualize different artwork styles and what will work best in your home.
Buy art from our website or ask us for help. We'll assist you with any inquiries and help you with the purchasing process.
Lobsang Durney
Surrealist Worlds
Lobsang Durney is a contemporary Chilean artist from Valparaiso, Chile. In his work, Lobsang focuses on painting surrealist worlds, mixing realistic and imaginary subjects and elaborate storylines.
His works are intricately cinematic, reminiscent of Lucasfilm animations and computer-generated artwork. However, Lobsang's artwork is not digital but done in traditional oil on canvas with vibrant, brilliant colors.
Some of his artworks, such as our HD Metal prints or canvas reproductions, are ideal for a 40-inch display. They would look fantastic when placed above a fireplace. Using framed fine art prints on metal or canvas lets you match the frame and the size perfectly to your fireplace.
Note how well the white frame compliments the artwork and the space above the fireplace.
Iris Kristmunds
Midcentury Modern
Our next recommendation is the minimalistic abstract artwork by Iris Kristmunds from Reykjavik, Iceland. Iris uses a more moderate color palette with fewer dominant colors in it.
Her artworks feel less busy compared to Lobsang's, for example. They are naturally calming, with simpler colors, lines, and subjects. Yet, you can mix them well with other items in your room of similar colors.
Her art is perfect for mid-century modern interiors with clean lines and minimal decorations.
Tavalina
Abstract Landscapes
Israeli artist Tavalina completed her architecture degree at the Israel Institute of Technology in 1992. After a personal crisis in her 30th year, she began to paint.
“I felt an overwhelming need for color. I went to my room and found a discarded box of crayons, and began to draw… as if I was in a trance, the paintings were flowing out of me… and until this very day, I haven’t stopped.”
Her art above a fireplace creates a new window in your home. As if through a window in a wall, a fresh green landscape, or an ancient Italian plaza, or a country home reveal themselves above your fireplace.
George Abramidze
Happy Colors
A contemporary Georgian surrealist artist George Abramidze creates fairytale and surrealist worlds.
George’s work exudes the warmth, hospitality, romanticism, and temperament of his native country.
His colors are bright, vibrant and warm. He often uses red, orange, yellow color palette in both of his figurative and abstract work.
George's work adds warmth to any room both in terms of its subjects and colors.
Tsholo Motong
A spice of life
South African Tsholo "Splash" Motong collects fabric from different tribes and cultures in Africa. He then cuts them out in a unique mosaic fashion and glues them to canvas. Each portrait is created from hundreds of oddly shaped pieces of patterned fabric.
"My work is only inspired by local scenes from Soweto, South Africa, which has a rich history of migrant labour. I use a lot of colour because I believe colour is like a spice of life."
Tsholo's vertical paintings are a great fit above a fireplace, especially if your house has high ceilings.
These are just a few ideas to help you find the best art piece for your fireplace. To find a great match, we recommend deciding on the 3 categories below:
And if you need any help, we'll be happy to send you a few options from our current inventory.
