How To Style A Fireplace Mantel No Matter Your Aesthetic
Do you struggle with pulling together a cohesive look and wonder how to decorate a fireplace mantel? SAME HERE! It’s tough! There are so many different styles to choose from. And is it just me or do seasons and holidays seem to fly by these days? Do you buy all new decor or use what you have? I bet some of you didn’t even realize you have some awesome hidden gems already in your home! In this post, I’m going to cover 5 different ways to style your fireplace mantle. Keep in mind, there are ideas here for EVERY budget! For each style, I provide links to similar products but these suggestions are by no means your only option. This post it for style inspiration that can be adjusted to any price point!
If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in your house…SCORE! However you can definitely replicate these styles with a faux fireplace! Just a side note…ALWAYS keep children, pets, and allergies in mind when decorating! You never want to compromise the safety and comfort of your household.
Before we begin, let’s review a few key terms!
Anchor: This is your main focal point and I always recommend starting with this piece of decor first! It “anchors” or grounds your design.
Height: Usually tall and thin items that may or may not be taller than your anchor.
Weight: Bulky items that offset the design but aren’t too distracting.
Fillers: Exactly how it sounds! Smaller items that fill in empty space. But don’t be afraid of a little space between objects!
Symmetry: In a Symmetrical design, if you were to cut the entire arrangement in half, both halves would mirror the other. In an Asymmetrical design, the middle is the tallest point and the other items decrease in size the closer you get to the edges, essentially forming an ‘A’ shape or a pyramid.
Balance: Ensuring one side doesn’t overwhelm the other. For example, you wouldn’t place 5 large objects on the right side of the mantel and place 1 tiny object on the left side. *Trick: Stand several feet back from your fireplace and squint, letting your vision get a little blurry. Notice which objects stand out to you.
Keep reading for styling tips that take the guesswork out arranging a design! I PROMISE you’ve got this!!! Let’s jump in!
Style 1. The Cozy Neutral Minimalist
This styling offers a soft place to land after a long day! This is by far the easiest look to achieve! Who doesn’t like simple and easy? It says ‘look how quickly I threw this together’ and yet it looks like a MILLION BUCKS! Not to mention GORGEOUS! If you haven’t guessed…neutrals are going to be your best friend for this one! Stick to items with similar colors schemes and you can’t go wrong!
Colors to look for:
white, cream, light grays, earthy browns, honey wheats, light terracotta, and khaki greens.
What to grab:
Light-stained wooden frames with a white inset.
Pampas grass or dried stems. You’re going for a honey wheat color.
Wooden beaded garland. You can buy the garland already made or purchase the beads at a craft store! DIY with some thread or twine! Don’t forget to add TASSELS! Trust me it will make all the difference.
Glass vases are oh so pretty! The natural light will dazzle during the day!
Clay pottery and speckled terrazzo trays are great fillers that add functionality.
Heavily faded books. Nothing too colorful is key!
Vanilla or linen scented candles are my favorite for added coziness!
Styling Breakdown:
Asymmetrical
Anchor: Framed print
Height: pampas grass
Weight: glass vase and books
Fillers: pottery and candle
Extra Styling Tips:
Use the pottery as stylish bookends!
I recommend draping the beaded garland in a ‘U’ shape in front of the mantle.
Safety:
Don’t get the candle flame too close to your decor! Or you can always opt for battery operated candles!
Style 2. The Vintage Lover
Go big or go home! Think Jane Austen meets The Crown! Big, bold statement pieces are key! Also great for history buffs! This style will likely take the longest to achieve unless you already have an awesome collection of vintage finds!
Colors and textures:
bronze, brass, velvet, bold and rich jewel toned colors
What to look for:
A large gilded mirror
Ornate frames with unique detailing
Candlesticks (preferably a pair)
Old photos, newspaper articles, or vintage prints.
Worn books with rich colors
Teacup, porcelain or similar items
Antique trinkets like keys or a pocket watch
Styling Breakdown:
Symmetrical
Anchor: mirror
Height: mirror or candlesticks
Weight: books
Fillers: trinkets and antiques
Styling Tips:
Put the gilded mirror in the center with the candlesticks on either side for a traditional and symmetrical look.
Extras:
Let your relatives know you are looking for vintage pieces and to keep you in mind if they are cleaning out their attic! I cannot tell you how many incredible items people have given to me for FREE!
Ask your parents or grandparents if they have any old family photos.
Vintage items DO NOT need to be expensive. Keep an eye out for hidden gems at local antique shops, thrift stores, facebook marketplace, and estate sales!
ASK FOR THE STORY!!! Half the fun of vintage items are the stories behind them! Get to know your decor and write it down! That way when someone asks you’ll have more to say than ‘Um it’s really old’. Learn about its history! Trust me, you’ll feel much more connected to your home.
Safety:
I would not recommend lighting candlesticks unless they are EXTREMELY secure. They tend to wobble a lot:)
Style 3. The Seasonal Swapper
If you love switching out your decor for the holidays, this one’s for you! If you’re on budget…I mean honestly who isn’t? Definitely stick to mostly staples that can work for multiple seasons with pops of holiday specific items.
Colors:
If your style is traditional, stick with seasonal colors.
Orange, yellow, black for Fall/Halloween
Red, green, silver for Christmas
Pastels for Easter…you get the idea!
Don’t be afraid to try new color schemes! I love silver and blue mixed with greenery for Christmas. Or try muted pinks, dark green, and terracotta for fall!
Keep an eye out for:
Fairy lights (can be used year round)
Vases or pottery that are neutral
Seasonal specific items like pumpkins, red ribbons, ornaments, etc.
White and cream dried stems tend to work for multiple seasons whereas greenery is traditionally known for Christmas.
Styling Breakdown:
Symmetrical or Asymmetrical
Anchor: Framed prints or message board
Height: vase
Weight: pumpkins
Fillers: garland, ornaments, foliage and greenery
Styling Tips:
For traditional holidays I like to use a symmetrical design and asymmetrical for non-traditional holidays.
Have fun with it but remember it’s ok to scale back! You definitely don’t want it to look like a Hallmark movie threw up on your mantel:)
Extras:
Store seasonal items in LABELED storage containers. Do not mix the staples for every season with very specific holiday decor. Halloween items together, Easter items in a separate bin, and so on. All your neutral staples can be stored in one place as well. Trust me you will thank yourself every year that holiday comes around!
Style 4. The Farmhouse Enthusiast
Two words: Joanna Gaines. Who isn’t obsessed with her style? This style is also perfect for some major cottagecore vibes!
Colors and textures:
Whites, creams, green, nature, cotton, pinecones, galvanized metal, chipped paint
What to look for:
Glass jars or mason jars
Nature, fresh wildflowers
Styling Breakdown:
Asymmetrical
Anchor: window OR clock
Height: pitcher
Weight: lantern, frames
Fillers: jars and nature
Styling Tips:
Find the closest forest or hiking trail near you and decorate with nature! Fresh wildflowers are a must!
Hang the boxwood wreath in front of the window with twine or a burlap ribbon.
I would chose EITHER the window frame or the clock for your anchor (unless the clock is small).
If your lantern doesn’t fit on the mantle, put it on the floor in front of the fireplace for extra coziness!
Extras:
If you have a green thumb go for a real boxwood wreath but if you’re like me and want something reusable then opt for a faux wreath!
Style 5. The Eclectic Mis-Matcher
Fun, vibrant, and quirky! You are a maximalist at heart! This style screams PERSONALITY! Take your time with it. Avoid anything too cookie cutter or matchy-matchy. This is the place to let your creativity and interests shine!
Colors and textures:
teal, purples, pinks, blues, mustard, emerald, mid-century modern, geometric shapes, bold colors
What to look for:
Unique lamp - colorful and preferably one with a metal chain.
Knick knacks with personality
Terrariums or house plants
Styling Breakdown:
Asymmetrical
Anchor: prints
Height: lamp
Weight: plants
Fillers: knick knacks, crystals
Styling Tips:
Layer 2-3 framed prints in front of one another!
This look can easily get too cluttered. Live with it for a few days and reassess!
Extras:
Don’t forget to dust every 1-2 weeks! Nothing puts a damper on style like a thick coating of dust.
