Art Above a Fireplace — Sizing, Height and Styling Guide
Art Above a Fireplace — How to Get the Size, Height and Style Exactly Right
The space above a fireplace is one of the most important in any room — the natural focal point that draws the eye and anchors the entire living space. Get it right and the room pulls together effortlessly. Get it wrong and no amount of styling will quite fix it.
Whether you have a grand Victorian mantelpiece or a sleek contemporary fireplace, this guide covers everything: the right size, the right height, the right framing choices, and how to style the mantel beneath.
Getting the Size Right
The most common mistake above a fireplace is going too small. Art here should feel substantial — generally, the width of the art should be between two-thirds and three-quarters of the mantel width. Any smaller and the piece will look lost; any wider and it will fight the architecture.
Landscape-orientation art typically works best above a fireplace — it fills the horizontal space more naturally. Portrait orientation can work with tall, narrow chimney breasts, but the wider the fireplace, the more landscape orientation makes sense.
Explore Framing OptionsHeight, Position and Framing Choices
The bottom edge of art should sit between 10-20cm above the top of the mantelpiece. This gives visual breathing room while keeping the art visually connected to the fireplace below. Use painter's tape to mock up the size and position before committing to any holes.
Single large pieces work best above fireplaces. If you want multiple pieces, consider a triptych (three panels in a row) that reads as a single unified work. The fireplace surround material should influence your frame choice — timber mantels pair with oak or walnut; white-painted surrounds work with any colour.
At Olive et Oriel, our frames are available in oak, walnut, black, and white — all with UV-protective acrylic that reduces glare near a fireplace. Art ships next business day from our two facilities.
Framing Choices Above a Fireplace
For a standard 1.2m mantel, aim for artwork between 72-90cm wide. Err on the side of larger — undersized art is the most common mistake in fireplace styling.
Our satisfaction guarantee means you can try art above your fireplace with complete confidence. If the scale isn't right, contact help@oliveetoriel.com and we'll make it right.
Every piece is produced at our two manufacturing facilities on of NSW — crafting Australian wall art since 2015. We deliver to over 40 countries worldwide, with custom sizing available on all prints. Over a decade of experience, every order ships within 24 hours with our satisfaction guarantee.
What size art should go above a fireplace?
The artwork should be between 60-75% of the mantel width. For a standard 1.2m mantel, this means artwork between 72-90cm wide. Err on the side of larger — undersized art is the most common mistake.
How high should art be hung above a fireplace mantel?
Leave 10-20cm between the top of the mantel and the bottom edge of the artwork. This provides visual breathing room while keeping the art visually connected to the fireplace.
Should art above a fireplace be landscape or portrait orientation?
Landscape (wider than tall) generally works best for most fireplaces as it naturally fills the horizontal space.
Can I use a gallery wall above a fireplace?
A single large piece or triptych generally looks more resolved than a gallery wall in this position. The fireplace surround is already a strong architectural element.
Is it safe to hang art above a working fireplace?
Yes, provided the art isn't directly in the path of rising heat. Maintain adequate clearance and ensure UV-protective covering is used.
What frame colour works best above a fireplace?
Match your frame material to the fireplace surround. Timber mantels suit oak or walnut frames; white-painted surrounds work with any frame colour.
