6 Things You Should Never Use to Decorate Your Fireplace, Designers Say

The trend of putting decor items in an old, faux, or unused fireplace is on the rise, as more homeowners are making the fireplace a focal point in their living rooms.

But not everything looks good stacked in a fireplace. From seasonal accents like tacky holiday items to spindly houseplants, some items look cheesy or out of place in the hearth.

Ahead, design experts share what you should never use in your fireplace, along with what would look even better.

Thin, Unanchored Candles

Not all candles are the same or great for placing in fireplace openings.

“Skinny, unanchored taper candles inside a large fireplace opening look visually awkward because they lack proportion,” says architect and designer Anh Ly.

The empty space around these thin candles exaggerates how small they are, making the fireplace feel cavernous and unfinished.

If you want candlelight inside a fireplace, use large pillar candles placed on a substantial tray. Doing this will fill up the space and offer a luminous glow once the candles are lit, perfect for cozy winter nights indoors.

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Faux Plants With Delicate Leaves

Faux plants inside a fireplace are a no-no. This goes double for small, wispy faux plants—these fake plants disappear visually inside a firebox and tend to collect grime.

“A fireplace demands decor with presence and sturdiness, not pieces that feel fragile or temporary,” Ly says.

If you really want the look of sprawling houseplants in a home, elect to use real ones in sturdy sizes and sculptural shapes, like snake plants or ZZ plants. Both are houseplants perfect for beginners and do not mind living in a dark corner of a home.

“These plants stand up better to the architectural presence of a fireplace and look purposeful rather than lost in the space,” Ly adds.

Decorative Lanterns With Glass

Many people place lanterns inside their fireplace thinking they’ll add charm.

“Instead, the glass quickly becomes streaked with dust and soot, making the lantern look shabby,” Ly says.

The reflective surfaces also amplify shadows in a way that highlights the emptiness of the surround. Instead, you can choose a large woven basket, or a substantial ceramic vessel.

“These pieces add texture and fill the void without delicate surfaces that show soot. They bring warmth and visual balance while still feeling natural inside a firebox,” Ly says.

Perfectly Round Logs Filled to the Brim

For several years, people have been placing perfectly round logs from top to bottom inside a fireplace opening. While the decor items still look good, styles that embraced the logs, like modern farmhouse style may be heading out of fashion soon.

If you want to play on the motif of fire, opt a set of firewood bundles instead, says Ly. This can help show off the fireplace while leaning a bit more rustic in tone.

Too Much Holiday Decor

The old saying is true: less is more. And interior designer Sarah Hart feels this way when it comes to filling up a Christmas fireplace mantel and an empty fireplace opening with holiday decor.

“I will always be on ‘Team Not Every Space Needs to be Filled,’” she says. “Sometimes, empty spaces create the balance a room is needing,” she says.

She especially warns against filling a fireplace with holiday décor that feels too gimmicky like reindeer or a sleigh.

“I’d also avoid colored candles, even if they’re on-theme like red or green. Keep it warm, cozy, and classic,” she says.

Random Big Box Store Decorative Objects

Ever been to a big box store and found random oversized items? Many of these might be labelled “decorative object,” or the like on their tags. And according to Hart, much of this decor can add to a room’s visual noise and clutter.

“If you bought decor at a big box retailer just to decorate, it’s probably not worth having out, even inside an unused fireplace,” she says. “Meaningless decor can look just that: meaningless.”

Some items she thinks would be display-worthy: vintage brass candlesticks (with candles in them) or a handmade ceramic small vase with dried florals.