Easy Mantel Decorating Ideas
Spruce up your fireplace.
Mantels aren’t just for hanging TVs. With the right decor, they can be the focal point of a room or change the feel of your space in an instant. Whether you are looking to decorate for the holidays or for everyday, this guide will help you find the perfect mantel decorating ideas to make your space cozy.
Mantel Decorating Ideas
Showcase Art
Let your mantel take center stage by leaning your favorite artwork on the ledge. Keep it simple with one large piece of art as the main focal point, and hold back from adding extra decor to the mantel. To create more depth, lay different sized art pieces over each other. For a dramatic look, opt for artwork full of dark colors, and for a playful look, opt for artwork with bright colors.
Create your own mini library by displaying your favorite books on your mantel. Stand them up, lie them down, or do a mix of both to add variety to the display, creating a cozy library right by the fire. Add in your favorite trinkets or decorative bookends to break up the books in a decorative way.
Give your mantel a holiday makeover to help fill your living room with festive cheer. Drape a garland across the front of your mantel for a green backdrop for your stockings. Rest stocking holders on your mantel to hang stockings for your family throughout the holiday season, all while adding extra decorative cheer to the mantel ledge. For another look, place a Christmas garland on the top of your mantel to complement the Christmas decor, like candle-filled lanterns.
An easy way to add decor to your mantel is by displaying a collection of similar items (like vases) that vary in size and shape to create visual interest and depth. To keep them from overwhelming your mantel, opt for items in neutral colors.
Even when they are not lit, candles make for a great mantel decorating idea. Place candles of different sizes together to add interest to your mantel, and place long candlesticks on each end for symmetry. The soft lighting will add a touch of romance to your room, especially when a fire is lit! Opt for battery-powered candles to remove worry.
Mantel clocks add an antique feel to your fireplace. Place one in the middle to draw the eye, letting you check the time without having to use your phone. Add a small mantel clock in with small trinkets to complement the other decor and add a stylish but practicable accent.
If you have a wooden fireplace, embrace a rustic-style mantel. Choose nature-inspired items like wooden trinkets and animal figurines to give your mantel an outdoor feel. Add greenery or small pinecones to add color and texture while bringing a piece of the outdoors in. Look for decor items in different shades of brown to stay within the rustic-inspired color palette.
Give your mantel meaning by showcasing your favorite memories and gifts from loved ones. This adds an extra personal touch to your fireplace, a place where you will make memories again and again. Opt for picture frames in varying heights to create interest, and fill them with photos of loved ones or special trips. Add a bouquet of flowers or small novelty gifts (like candlesticks) to stagger across your mantel.
Let the mantel be the focal point of the room by showing off its unique character and detailing. Keep it clear of accent pieces so the decor does not overpower the detail. Showcase your current mantel or replace it with a mantel ledge that will draw the eye, like a stained wooden mantel. Add simple items, like a glass vase with greenery or a few of your favorite coffee table books to keep the focus on the mantel itself.
