19 Fireplace Mantel Ideas to Inspire Your Decor
It’s time to heat things up.
The fireplace is the focal point of any space it’s in, and the best way to highlight its presence is with beautiful decor. Create a sophisticated, cozy center of the room that looks effortless yet stunning with just a few tricks! Here are 19 fireplace mantel ideas to inspire your decorating.
1. Less Is More
Don’t go overboard in decorating your mantel – use carefully-chosen pieces to make a dramatic statement. Styling a fireplace mantel with simple vases at the ends (full or empty) or a few picture frames can go a long way. Choosing less accents highlights the true beauty of the mantel and keeps it from appearing too cluttered.
Make a statement with a mantel that’s darker than the surrounding area. This creates a pop of color that’s sure to catch attention and create a focal point in the room. If your fireplace is darker, opt for a lighter mantel for the same effect.
Fireplaces are the epitome of cozy, combining warmth from the blaze and the dark amber colors of flames. Increase the cozy feeling with a dark-colored mantel and stone surrounding tiles. A darker-colored mantel creates a moody, cocoon effect over the fire, especially when you style it with stone tiles and gold home objects like in the picture above.
Decorating your fireplace mantel in layers creates a sophisticated, clean look that is easy to accomplish. Layering decor is all about including different heights, colors, elements, and textures. One of the easiest ways to incorporate height on a mantel is with candlesticks, skinny vases, or jars. Faux flowers in vases incorporate natural-looking texture, while geometrical pieces can incorporate different shapes.
If you love the vintage aesthetic, consider opting for a traditional surround fireplace mantel. Traditional mantels are built with intricate designs and patterns like the one above, whereas contemporary mantels feature more sleek lines or no patterns at all.
One of our favorite fireplace mantel ideas is to add extra lighting with string lights or other eye-catching lighting. Not only does this brighten up the area, but it also elevates the space and creates a cozy environment, especially if you opt for an elegant chandelier style like in the picture above.
Take a minimalistic approach by keeping the mantel as clutter-free as possible. Choose no more than three smaller items to place on the end of the mantel, with a larger item like wall decor in the middle to create a dramatic centerpiece.
Shake things up by mixing different wood stains. Using a lighter mantel, like gray wood, with darker wood accessories can create a balanced look. The dark wooden accessories highlight the gray mantel’s undertones.
Complement your rustic aesthetic by placing a wooden mantel above the fireplace. Wood is a major material in the rustic aesthetic since it highlights natural elements. By mixing a wood mantel with a stone fireplace surround, like in the picture above, you can elevate the aesthetic of your space while also providing a spot to display simple decor pieces.
Keep your fireplace mantel simple by hanging a mirror above the center. You can also style your mirror by placing it on the center of the mantel and having it lean against the wall. Placing a mirror above a fireplace creates an airy feel in the room because it reflects natural light. Choose a large enough mirror to create a dramatic, functional centerpiece.
Another excellent way to decorate a fireplace mantel is with a wall clock. Wall clocks serve as a functional way to tell time and a decoration all at once. Hang the wall clock the same way you would a mirror – you also have the option to style the ends of your mantel with smaller objects for a complete look.
One of the simplest fireplace mantel ideas that really packs a punch is styling with faux plants, whether it’s in the form of garland or potted plants. Adding faux greenery into your decor is an easy way to add color and bring in nature to your space. Plus, the length of mantels is perfect to accommodate garland – we love styling it to hang off the edges for a draped effect.
Fireplace mantels are typically brown or distressed wood, but selecting a white mantel can break up colors around the fireplace and brighten the area. White is a clean color that blends well with any painted room, and it pops against fireplace elements like brick or stone. A white mantel also fits perfectly in the coastal or farmhouse color palettes.
Display your creative side by hanging a large piece of artwork above the mantel. Artwork is perfect to put above a mantel to showcase your style and take up a lot of decorative space. If you don’t have a lot of items to style, or don’t want to overcrowd your mantel, choose a larger piece of artwork to set the stage.
Fireplace mantels are a comfortable place to sit your figurines. Mantels offer the right spot for any bookends, bowls, vases, or other pieces you want to incorporate into the area.
Create a statement around your fireplace mantel with wall shelves or built-in bookcases. Shelves next to the fireplace are the perfect location to showcase your aesthetic with decorative objects that fit your style and tie the room together.
One elevated fireplace mantel idea to incorporate into your home is pairing your mantel with wall tiles around the fireplace. Wall tiles feature various patterns, designs, and colors that are fun to play around with. There is no need to worry about the heat from your fireplace breaking down the tiles as they are heat-resistant, which means they can withstand long hours of a lit fire.
Feature a nature-inspired look with an unfinished mantel. These mantels celebrate the wood’s natural look by keeping a bare finish. Unfinished mantels can be a wonderful addition to any rustic space, since wood materials are a characteristic of the aesthetic.
Declutter your living room by mounting your TV above a surround fireplace mantel instead of opting for a bulky entertainment center. Surround fireplace mantels create extra design in the room, including intricately-designed legs that attach to the wall like the picture above. Plus, the mantel offers space to place a DVD player or satellite box for your television.
Now you’ve discovered some fireplace mantel ideas, it’s time to get styling!
