How to Decorate a Small Living Room Fireplace

Living rooms are made to be cozy, a place where family can gather for a game or relax with a book. A fireplace adds to the room's charm, and a little decorating can make the fireplace the room's focal point. You also can use the mantel to display family photographs or keepsakes.

Things You'll Need

• Photographs
• Paintings
• Flowers
• Vase
• Family heirlooms
• Holiday decorations
• Decorative plates

Instructions

1. Display family photos on the mantel, or decorate it with self portraits or a few paintings from an art gallery. You can hang three small paintings or one large painting above most mantels.

2. Place fresh flowers in a vase and center them on the mantel. This is a simple way to decorate your fireplace. Not only do colorful flowers brighten the room, they also emit a pleasant aroma.

3. Display family heirlooms on the mantel. If you don't have any, you can buy collectibles from a local antique store. If you know the back story of the items, you will be able to give guests a history lesson.

4. Adorn your fireplace with holiday decorations. In March or April, dress up the mantel with Easter grass and eggs. In November, display turkey statues or drape a strand of leaves above the mantel. In December, hang stockings or put a miniature-scale Christmas village on the mantel. The possibilities are endless. Just keep up with the calender to freshen the decorations as upcoming holidays approach.

5. Line the mantel with decorative plates of famous people or of a certain historical period.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the fireplace stocked with logs. It looks bare without them.

• Don't put anything near the logs that can catch on fire. Stick to decorating the mantel.

References

• Design tips for your fireplace