Put a shelving unit up on there, a mirror or some other larger object.

How about some artwork, leaned against the wall? Maybe three pieces. Different sizes, but with something that ties them together, like the frame or matting. Also, I would put some large candles in the fireplace.

I would get a smaller TV set and use it for that because my pet peeve is exposed wires running across walls. But otherwise use the space for tall knicknacks to fill up the space instead of small ones. Otherwise it looks as you say as a dumping ground for small knicknacks.

I would get a smaller TV set and use it for that because my pet peeve is exposed wires running across walls. But otherwise use the space for tall knicknacks to fill up the space instead of small ones. Otherwise it looks as you say as a dumping ground for small knicknacks.

I think it's a great space! I'd lean a large piece or art or huge mirror in the back and go with a couple accent pieces up front. But keep proportion in mind. It's a large space, so go bold. Little knick-knacks just won't cut it there.

I think it's a great spot for a big full plant, like a Boston fern, in a beautiful pot...

If you don't want to spend any money, use a vase or container you already have, cut some tall branches and spray paint them a color that complements your decor, and place in the corner. If you can spend a little, Ithink a mirror leaning in the corner with a couple of vases to one side would do the trick. Check out these vases http://www.zgallerie.com/p-5248-blue-cloud-vase-8-13.aspx and this mirror http://www.zgallerie.com/p-2013-michael-mirror.aspx from Z Gallerie.

I'm always a fan of huge mirrors over fireplaces. A corner like that tends to suck the light so a mirror would be perfect. Add a nice grouping of larger geekery in front of it if you want to keep with that or use vases instead.

I agree with many others that the way to go is a large mirror - try to make it big enough to fill that space.

If you want to put a few items on the ledge in front please make them 2-3 substantial pieces, or a group of objects with cohesive colors. (Like all black and grey vases for example).

If you need a dumping ground for the geeky knick-knacks - maybe relocate to another area where they can blend in more - like a book case filled with books. they wont stand out as much as random objects.
(see here for a super example of this: http://fandumb.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/color-coded-toy-shelves/ )

I'm not sure how I feel about this but it might be cool.

http://txtlart.com/fokuscornerkit.html

You need to add height and depth to your display - right now, the scale of your items is way too small to match that space.

You can do this in a lot of ways -

1. Buy small storage cubes and other display shelves to create different shelving "heights" that gradually increase to the back of the unit. You can even stack them on each other. Place items on and in these units to help fill the space - collectable items, favorite books, candles, etc. (bonus points - add color or pattern!)

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/rainbow-wall-shelves

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=4840

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=4462

2. Add a small cabinet or curio to hold your smaller items. The bigger piece will help fill the space and will create a focal point for the eye. (random ideas below)

http://www.zentnercollection.com/items/955059/item955059zentner.html

http://www.alandavidsonwoodwork.co.uk/page5.htm

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=5491

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=6211

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=6553

3. Get a bigger "backdrop" to place behind your items. Mirrors are great for this. Just lean it against the corner. But you'll still need to add some variety and height to your collection (and keep the collection limited to a small odd-numbered grouping). Try a tall vase and botanical in the background.

http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/HomeAccentsD%c3%a9cor/HomeAccentsDecor/tabid/508/CategoryID/134/List/0/catpagesize/25/Level/a/ProductID/4430/ProductName/Champagne-Mirror/Default.aspx

4. Make it functional - how about a bar!? Add some wine racks, a vintage bar ad or two in the background, some bottles, and some barware.

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=6198

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=598&f=4462

5. Add some greenery - add a live plant or two. One could drape down the front, one could be a nice lush/full plant, while a third gives a little height. I love adding real plants to rooms - improves air quality, adds color, and makes the most stark/precise decor less harsh.

What about just hiding the whole thing behind a shoji screen and putting a chair in front of it? I mean, you don't use the fireplace and it's kind of blah anyway.

Oh we have the same ... in face brick, it was added in the eighties to our otherwise hundred year old home with wooden floors and oh it is sad!!! There is no hiding it... and it is useless at least if it was for fires - but no it's fake!!! And they chopped half the floor up to put it in!!! I thought of letting the kids use it for puppet shows - at least it would be functional!!!

I would just lean a large mirror up there.(anchor it somehow though!) It will continue the angle up to the ceiling visually and bounce a ton of light around the room, which would be nice I'm sure. You could sit it back enough to still put some candles and other things in front.

I think a large plant would look nice and fill in the space well. Something with some height and bulk to fill in the back corner. You can leave the area in front of the plant bare or add a few smaller items (knick knacks or framed photos), but I would limit the additional items to three.

I think our building has the exact same designer, though you should consider yourselves lucky that someone didn't "accent" the fireplace with gray, printed marble tile like ours..... We put a tall/thin (kinda rounded oval shaped, to add something not straight) with tall dry branches and dried flowers on the side towards with light switch/patio door and a 5 gallon hex fish tank (check Amazon, they're about $30) with a low maintenance beta fish in the middle and surrounded both with small geeky clutter as well. It's not going to win any design awards, but Mr. Fish doesn't get hot up there and only needs to be fed every 2-4 days.

Search AT by "corner shelf" or "corner mantel" or "corner fireplace" for lots of relevant posts, e.g.:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/good-questions/ideas-for-decorating-with-a-corner-fireplace-good-questions-129359
Good luck!

Ditto on getting the smaller TV and using the space as it was intended...
...only thing worse than a bunch of random tchotchkies on a shelf is wires running everywhere.

If buying a smaller TV isn't an option, use the space to display a larger, more striking item or collection. Large vases and artwork can be found for cheap at flea markets or places like TJ MAXX or Winner's. Use these items to hide the cords, then staple them neatly to run beside the fireplace to wherever you need them. If you can't mark the walls, go to your hardware store and find white hooks that stick to your wall with removable adhesive and corral wires closer to a wall.
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com

If you must keep the large TV, At least get some cable nails/clips to secure the wire to the corner of the wall, and run it down the side of the fireplace. http://www.amazon.com/Cd-10-Nail-Cable-Clips/dp/B000HHFRY0

I agree with putting something substantial up there. Look around at things you own. Do you have a nice looking large mirror to re purpose? A Nice basket for throws and extra pillows?

Have you considered some shorter bookshelves used in a corner arrangement? Billy bookcases from Ikea would work, and would look even better if you sprung for the doors for them.

I'd be tempted to get a smaller television set to go up there since you would have to have a big one for it not to fit. If not that, a large piece of art.

One large beautiful decorative mirror the full width (across the corner) and some candles and a small vase for flowers.

Or can you add wall sconces on each side and center a smaller mirror or art work.

Or this was a interesting idea, you could frame wallcovering or make screens
see the first picture how they made it architectural
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-decorate-your-mantel.html

In the past I've leaned artwork against the wall in the corner. Right now I have a starburst mounted there.

Some pics of each -

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/xkwizzit/?action=view&current=livingroom2.jpg

http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/xkwizzit/House%202010/HouseAFTERS/?action=view&current=houseAFTERpics023.jpg

Thanks for the ideas everyone! While getting a smaller T.V. isn't an option (we always do movie "screenings" at our place), artwork is probably what we are leaning towards. And don't worry... we never planned on keeping out knick-knacks there, it was just a waiting area until we did something with this space!

Keep the ideas coming!

A previous house tour (I think it was from October or November) showed a corner fireplace mantel displaying a potted plant and cactus collection. It looked pretty awesome. If I can find it on AT, I'll post again.

Why not skip putting anything on the mantel and instead hang something above it? I am currently obsessed with CB2's "Whirly Hanging Candleholders" and can envision a cluster of them hanging looking really light but still filling up the space nicely. you can see the candleholders here http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=585&f=6246