How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel

Fireplace mantels provide a prominent, blank canvas for decorating. The way they are decorated, however, can make or break a room. For example, fireplace mantels that are too cluttered with photos and kitsch can make a room feel busy and dated. Alternately, fireplace mantels that are left bare can make a room feel empty, cold and unwelcoming. Fireplace mantels are commonly decorated according to season and can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the formality of the rest of the house.

Things You'll Need

• Candles
• Seasonal decorations
• Large picture or mirror
• Seasonal garland
• Nonmarking adhesive hooks

Instructions

1. Choose a focus item. This item will be the focal point of your mantel. Usually, the fireplace is the focal point of the room, which means everything in the room compliments it. Therefore, the focus item on or above your mantel should complement the decor of the rest of the room. The focus point could be a mirror hanging above the mantel, a beautiful clock, wall sconces, tall heirloom-quality candlesticks, a modern sculpture or any other item you find appealing.

2. Balance the mantel. Once you have chosen your focus item, you need to balance it. For example, one large item should be placed in the middle of the mantel. Two candlesticks, on the other hand, could be placed at either end. If you have more than one large item, you can group them on the ends or in the middle. For example, a tall vase could be grouped with a tall candlestick in the center of the mantel. Frequently, decorators follow something called the "Three Plus One" rule. They layer three similar items on one end of the fireplace mantel and then balance them out with one large item on the other end. For example, three bowls in different sizes, in different shades of blue on one end; on the other, one gorgeous, large blue vase.

3. Fill empty space. If there is not a TV niche above your fireplace mantel, there is probably an empty wall. Fill the space with a large picture, mirror or wall sconces. A grouping of black-and-white photographs also makes a strong statement, but make sure the frames all match for a cleaner look. Mirrors add light to a room and make it seem bigger, so if your room is small, a mirror might be a good choice.

4. Decorate for the season. Mantels look great when draped with a seasonal garland. In the fall, drape the mantel with a string of fake autumn leaves (available at any craft store). In the winter, drape the mantel with evergreens, real or imitation. Add a string of cranberries for a festive Christmas look. In the spring, rather than draping the mantel, try lining the top of it with several small pots of miniature daffodils interspersed with small votive candles. Use nonmarking (removable) adhesive hooks to hang the garland, available at any craft store.

5. Add a personal touch. Mantels are great for displaying photographs, as long as they aren't crowded together. Choose just a few to highlight, and place them in matching frames. For a more sophisticated look, choose black-and-white photos and frame them in silver. Place them on the mantel with some tall silver candlesticks or glass bowls filled with roses or colored marbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Change up your mantel decorations frequently to give your room a whole new feel.

• Avoid using flammable materials to decorate your mantel, for obvious reasons.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• A list of and suggestions for accessories that work well on fireplace mantels.