How to Decorate an Interior Fireplace Mantel

The fireplace mantel is often the focal point of the room.

Decorate an interior fireplace mantel to represent your personal taste and style or celebrate a festive season. The mantel is a narrow shelf above the fireplace where stockings are traditionally hung at Christmas. Mantels are ideal locations to showcase a few favorite collectibles or pictures because they are commonly set at standing eye level. The fireplace mantel is a blank slate that can be quickly redecorated throughout the year to accommodate changing tastes and styles.

Things You'll Need

• Large picture, mirror or tapestry
• 3 decorative items of similar size
• 1 large decorative item
• Picture frame hanger (optional)
• Seasonal decorations

Instructions

1. Choose a large picture, mirror or tapestry to place on or mount just above the center of the interior fireplace mantel. Select a piece that represents you, goes well with the room or reflects the change in seasons. Elaborate frames will draw the eyes to this central piece on the mantel.

2. Find three items of similar size and design to place on one side of the centered frame. These items could be smaller framed pictures, pieces of art or other decorative items. Make sure the trio of items has a similar theme and look, but are not identical.

3. Adjust the position of the three similar items so they are viewable from multiple angles in the room, but are not in a straight line like a police lineup.

4. Locate one large object to set on the other side of the mantel to give a balanced look to the fireplace. The item should be shorter than the top of the center frame, yet larger than the trio of items on the opposing side. A vase of flowers, a tall pillar candle or large piece of decorative pottery provides the height and mass to even out the appearance of the decorated mantel.

5. Add a few festive touches like a strip of garland or a few small gourds to decorate a mantel for the holiday season. Seasonal decorations take seconds to add to an existing mantel design and can be removed and stored for use the next year.

Tips & Warnings

• Fireplace mantels are a great outlet for decorators who like to make constant changes. Try featuring different art pieces from a collection throughout the year to keep the look of an interior fireplace mantel looking fresh.

References

• FireplaceMall.com: Fireplace Mantel Decorating: Three Plus One
• FireplaceMall.com: Fireplace Mantel Mirrors: Six Mirror Decorating Tricks for over Your Fireplace