Fireplace Mantel Decor

Decorating a mantel is a tricky business. Between thinking about proportions, color selections, and what the heck kind of decor to put on it it can take months to get it right. There is no 1 right way to decorate a mantel— but we can help provide a list of items that make great pieces and help you narrow it down a little bit.

Lanterns: Lanterns are great for both the Mantel and the hearth. You can fill them with the traditional candle OR pinecones, or other decor.

Candles: Find a nice large candle stick grouping for the edges, OR a smaller set for the foreground of a larger piece.

Photographs: Personal photographs are great showpieces for fireplace mantel decor.

Mirrors: Large mirrors centered on the mantel with candles, small signs, photographs, or monogramed letters in the foreground look beautiful and make the room look larger.

Windows: i am a big fan of repurposing antique windows and doors and windows make a great addition to any mantel. these will serve as the background with several pieces in the foreground.

Signs: Home sweet home, and welcome type signs are great pieces either large or small.

Artwork: Paintings, carvings, sculptures of any kind.

Small knick knacks for the foreground: candles, small figurines (chickens, ducks, cows, cowboys)

Vases. For the mantel or the hearth. Either empty or filled with faux plants (cotton stems look particularly appealing.

Glass works: Antique glass jars, pretty liquor bottles, hand blown glass.

Miniature houses: At Christmas time this is a given in my house, but I have also found miniature houses in the form of piggy banks and jars that make great fireplace mantel decor.

Faux plants

Books: You can arrange books in a variety of ways to make them appealing

Monogramed Letters: The first letter of your last name— or maybe you and your husbands initials.

Wood carvings and burned artwork

Light up bottles (fairy lights are a beautiful thing)