8 Easy Ways To Decorate Your Mantle

Decorating a mantle can be one of the most visually exciting parts of home decorating. From cozy winter scenes to vibrant spring blooms, you can use a variety of techniques to create beautiful mantel displays that reflect the season and your style. Read on to learn 8 easy ways to decorate your mantle for any time of year!

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Hang a Mirror

Mirrors can be a great way to give your mantle a focal point. Opt for an oversized mirror or several smaller ones and hang it on the wall above your mantle. This will help draw the eyes up, creating the illusion of a larger space while bringing in some light and reflecting other decor pieces around it. Plus, mirrors never go out of style and will look beautiful no matter the season!

When styling your mirror, experiment with different heights. Try hanging the mirror slightly lower than expected so it adds a unique focal point and stands out against the mantlepiece. You can also mix and match other frames around it that are similar in size or color to create visual interest while maintaining order. Don’t forget to give it its own designated decoration so it looks intentional. Adding a few pieces of greenery, colorful flowers, or other knick-knacks should be enough to make the space look inviting and styled rather than unfinished.

Add Some Books and Interesting Objects

If you’re looking for a little something to add depth and texture to your mantle, why not try adding some books and interesting objects? Even if it’s simply an interesting stone from the beach or a cool piece of driftwood, these objects can instantly give your mantle a homey feel. If you have an eclectic style, try mixing and matching different shapes, colors, and textures on your mantle for an even more visually exciting look.

How to Decorate Your Mantle

Books are also great for adding a touch of sophistication and knowledge to your mantle. Try choosing books that have interesting covers and use their spines to add height and color to your display. You can alternate tall and short stacks, or you could choose books with similar colored spines for a cohesive look. Paired with textured objects like driftwood, geometric pieces, or even pottery, these small additions can transform your mantle instantly.

Show Off Artwork or Photos

Are you an artist or a photographer? Show off your creativity by displaying some of your artwork or photos on your mantle. Have it framed and thoughtfully arranged alongside your other pieces to breathe life into the space. Plus, displaying artwork is a much easier fix than having to repaint your whole room.

Use Seasonal Colors in Your Decor

For those of you who love seasonal decor, why not go a step further and inject some seasonal color onto your mantle? If it’s springtime, brighten up the room with a garnet or emerald green vase. In the summer months, try shades of yellows, blues, and whites to give off a beachy vibe. During the autumn season, opt for deeper tones such as plum and burnt orange. And in winter, use shades of silver and white to evoke an elegant winter wonderland feeling.

How to Decorate Your Mantle

When it comes to seasonal colors on your mantle, think of items that can be used year round as well. For example, consider investing in a ceramic jug or framed artwork to use as a neutral backdrop for brighter, livelier pieces during the season. Candles are also great for adding subtle color and warmth to the area around your mantle – just make sure you never leave them unattended!

Utilize Rustic and Natural Elements

Embrace the rustic beauty of nature and craft a cozy mantle display with natural pieces such as driftwood, pinecones, or pottery. Incorporate a few unexpected elements to add an extra touch of country charm, such as dried wreaths, vintage jars, and distressed furniture. Use neutral colors to create an inviting atmosphere.

Add Seasonal Greenery

Fresh greenery such as pine, boxwood, or magnolia branches can give your mantle a festive look for Christmas and the winter months. Add seasonal items like dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, and wooden stars to create a unique display that celebrates the holidays. For spring, use plants such as succulents and ferns in various sizes and add delicate touches such as feathers or butterflies. And for summertime, bring in bright pops of color with colorful flowers or beachy accessories.

Use Candles and Lanterns

Use candles and lanterns to add a cozy and warm feeling to your living space any time of the year. Group them together at varying heights to create a beautiful display. You can select candles in various colors, shapes, and sizes to customize your mantle design. For added fun, you can use citronella candles during the summer months. These candles will not only look great but will also help keep mosquitoes away.

How to Decorate Your Mantle

Or if you aren’t a fan of candles, how about different candleholders? You could add varying sizes of different candleholders in a grouping (odd number, please) to add a little extra interest.

Showcase Special Artwork or Hobbies

Another great way to style your mantle is by showcasing artwork or collections on the wall space above it. Have family photographs framed and hang them as a reminder of special times together. Alternatively, if you have a hobby, display this proudly. For example, if you collect shells or other mementos from vacations, create a themed display around them. This can be hanging off the mantle or framing the pieces in a shadow box that can rest on top of or hang off the mantle.

Whitewash the Stone or Brick

Now, this might sound like a bad idea. But I can tell you the quickest way to update your fireplace and bring some life to this focal point is to update the stone (or brick) with a whitewash. If you want to watch the process being done – be sure to check out my video!

Have I motivated you to learn How to Decorate Your Mantle yet? I hope so! Now all you have to do is do it! And if you like my ideas but are thinking about how you could DIY some of the elements of your fireplace mantle, stay tuned for many, many DIY decor projects coming soon!