Fireplace Mantels And More

Whether your home has a modern minimalist aesthetic or a rustic, country style, the right mantel will reflect your design. Choose materials that will hold up well in the elements, especially if your budget can’t accommodate stone or marble mantels.

Proper mantel care is also important, requiring dusting regularly and resealing every few years to guard against moisture. Keeping your mantel aesthetically appealing also requires arranging its decorative accents in varied height to keep the eye moving.

Decorate with Personal Memorabilia

The mantel is the ideal spot for displaying personal memorabilia like cherished family portraits, a vintage glass vase, or a stack of old books. Choose items that relate to the decor style of your room for a coordinated look.

If you prefer a maximalist approach to fireplace decorating ideas, create a dramatic statement with an oversized piece of art. In this modern living room, a bold black painting stands out against the deep charcoal wall and visually frames a grouping of vases and a wrought iron candle holder.

A more understated approach is to dress a plain mantel with decorative accents that tie in with the overall color scheme of your room. In this neutral living space, blue and yellow vases pick up hues used on the sofa and in the room’s woodwork.

Mixing antique and contemporary decor on a mantel adds character and visual interest to the space. When arranging these elements, vary their height and visual weight to avoid a crowded or boring look. Symmetrical arrangements project a classic sense of order, and in this traditional setting, a pair of mirrors and a mirrored sconce flank the fireplace for a cohesive arrangement.

Layer Artwork and Accessories

A layered look is a simple way to elevate the decor on your fireplace mantel. Use a mix of artwork, mirrors, and decorative accents to create a beautiful, unique display that draws the eye and makes your hearth stand out.

Start with an oversized piece of artwork that ties in with your overall design scheme. This splatter-painted piece plays up the neutral color palette of the stone fireplace surround, creating a focal point for the whole space.

Choose a smaller framed piece to frame either side of the larger artwork for a balanced vignette. Stick with odd numbers of items to prevent a cluttered look, and vary the heights of the different pieces for added dimension.

Layer in a few small vases, votive candle holders and bookends to keep the display from looking flat. Mixing contrasting textures like glass and metal also adds movement and visual appeal to the display.

Incorporate a Wooden Bench

A mantel bench serves as a decorative accent while also providing additional surface space for decor items, such as books and candles. A wooden bench that ties into the fireplace decor theme can enhance rustic charm and contribute to a cottage countryside aesthetic. Incorporating woven baskets and farm animal figurines can further enhance the rustic theme of a mantel bench.

Displaying meaningful artwork, such as local artist works or family drawings, adds a personal touch and creates visual depth on a fireplace mantel. Incorporating vases in a complementary color scheme further enhances the layered look of a mantel.

Building a wood mantel can be rewarding but should always be done carefully and with consideration for safety. Ensure the mantel is mounted to the wall using proper mounting techniques, including checking and adhering to all clearance requirements required by the fireplace manufacturer. This is especially important with gas and wood fireplaces, where clearances are not simply suggestions but mandatory for safety.

Decorate with Seasonal Plants

Adding a touch of greenery and flowers to your mantel creates a vibrant spring display. Trailing plants like the nerve plant offer a soft, flowing look, while upright houseplants like snake plants add height and drama to your display.

A low ceramic bowl filled with a textural mix of houseplants works as an ideal centerpiece for your fireplace mantel. Dracaena, peace lily, and aralia plants fill the bowl with contrasting leaf colors, shapes, and growth habits for visual interest.

Creating a symmetrical arrangement makes it easy to style your fireplace mantel, but sometimes an off-center design feels more dynamic. Start with an oversized base such as a mirror hanging on the wall to anchor your display, then layer smaller frames and decorative accents in different sizes. Mixing the shape of your decor helps avoid a cluttered look. Use brass candlesticks, for example, to break up linear pieces.

Create a Cohesive Look

Achieving an eye-catching fireplace mantel requires more than a few decorative accents. The whole vignette needs to be balanced and cohesive. “If a mantel is overflowing with too many items, the overall look can become chaotic,” says design expert Becky McFarland-Cox. “You need to be able to curate a collection that has the right visual weight to stand out and make a statement.”

A good rule of thumb is to start with an oversized base such as a mirror hanging on the wall to anchor the rest of the decorations. From there, layer different sized pieces of art or decorative accents such as vases for flowers and branches to build up the vignette. Vary the heights of the objects to add interest and avoid a symmetrical arrangement.

When it comes to decorating a fireplace mantel, the options are endless. Personalize your space with a favorite piece of artwork or a collection of decorative accents that reflect the dominant style in the room.

Arrange Decorative Accents in Variable Height

Creative arrangements of personal memorabilia transform a fireplace mantel into a unique focal point that showcases your family’s history and cherished memories. For example, arranging colored ginger jars on a series of stacked trays introduces pops of color while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. By arranging the vases in a variety of heights, you can create depth and interest in the arrangement, as well as establish different visual weights.

To create a balanced composition, select an anchor piece—such as a large framed poster or oversized mirror—to act as the center of attention. Flank this central feature with items of varying height, including flower vases and candles. To further accentuate the height of your display, incorporate materials with texture, such as burlap, velvet, and wool. This adds depth to the display while creating a cozy autumn feel. Moreover, you can easily update this type of arrangement by swapping in festive decor throughout the year.