How to Decorate a Dark-Hued Mantel

Accent a dark-hued mantel with a myriad of stylish accessories

Fireplaces are often the main focal point of a room, which makes them an integral design element for any style decor. Dark-hued mantels are especially rich and elegant, due to their saturated color. There are several ways to accent dark-hued mantels to create a visually pleasing design, ranging from designing traditional arrangements to highlighting boho chic themes. By incorporating colorful, coordinating or contrasting accessories to the mantel, a darker mantel area becomes a central visual element to accent any decorating style.

Things You'll Need

• Black-and-white photograph
• Black frame
• Black-framed, round mirror
• Nail
• Hammer
• Sculpture
• Painting with silver or gold-toned frame
• Colorful candlesticks
• Brightly colored candles
• Weathered, white-framed mirror
• Mercury glass vases
• Pastel roses
• Vintage map
• Colorful frame
• Small antique globe
• Old travel books
• Antique binoculars

Instructions

1. Create a contemporary display. Accent the dark-hued mantel by leaning a large, black-framed, black-and-white photograph on the right side.Take a black-framed, round mirror and hang it on the left side of the mantel to add visual interest to the entire space. Finish the modern, asymmetrical design by placing a medium-size sculpture on the mantel shelf, below the mirror, for a modern twist.

2. Make a traditional mantel grouping. Hang a large painting with a gold or silver-toned frame over the middle. Choose an art piece that has vibrant colors to pop against the dark-hued mantel. Flank either side with a colorful candlestick and candle for a more symmetric, traditional look and feel with colorful visual appeal.

3. Accent a romantic mantel. Hang a large mirror on the wall above the middle of a fireplace. Select a mirror that is white or cream and has distressed, ornate areas to give it a time-worn appearance. Place a medium-size mercury-glass vase full of real or faux pastel-colored roses on either side of the mantel shelf as a shabby-chic accent.

4. Design a boho chic mantel. Take advantage of the dark hues of the mantel piece, and accessorize them with vintage items based on world travels and bright patterns. Frame a vintage map in a distressed, colorful frame, and hang it above the middle of the mantel. Place a small antique globe on a stack of old travel books on the right side. Finish the design with an antique pair of binoculars on the left side.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose large artwork that is approximately the same visual size as the fireplace firebox to create a designer appearance to the mantel arrangement.

• Coordinate the mantel design to the decorating scheme of the room for optimal visual appeal.

• Anchor all mantel items securely to avoid fire hazards.

References

• Apartment Therapy: Best Of Mantels And Fireplace Decor
• House Beautiful: Flip For Decorating: Your Mantel
• Real Simple: Timeless Home Decorating Tips: Keep The Mantel Spare

Resources

• Ideal Home Gardens: How To Decorate Fireplace Mantels