From modern mantels to traditional fireplace toppers, these tips have you covered
By: Michelle Gage
As you pack away your holiday decorations, it’s a good time to rethink your mantel decor. This year, resolve to dust off that neglected shelf and make it your own with new finds or items you already have scattered around your home. These 10 tips will help you unlock your mantel’s full potential.
1. Mix it up. For an
arrangement with impact, try mixing materials. This pleasant combination
of wood and distressed glass makes for an elegant and eye-catching
focal point. The room’s neutral color palette allows the fireplace to be
the star player.
2. Vary levels. When
making mantel magic, it’s all about scale. Pull together an artful array
of framed photographs and decorative objects of various heights. For a
cool and modern look, stick to no more than three colors.
3. Personalize it. What’s
your favorite pastime? Start there when thinking about styling your
mantel. For an equestrian, this horse painting and antique trophy
collection highlight a love of the sport, creating a meaningful focal
point.
4. Showcase treasures. For a
simple and clean look, style the top of your mantel with only your
absolute favorite pieces. The absence of objects can make a statement
too. If your fireplace is nonfunctioning, you can decorate the interior
as well. Choose a collection of glass vases, stacks of antique books or a
bundle of cut wood.
5. Work with what you have.
If your home has a small mantelpiece, embrace it. This streamlined look
goes well with the rest of the house’s clean lines. Just because a
mantel is streamlined, however, doesn’t mean you have to leave it bare.
6. Make room for media.
Laying out your living room furniture can be tricky. If your space calls
for hanging the television over the fireplace, go with it. Then think
about how to best style the spaces around the TV. Built-in bookcases can
accommodate much more memorabilia than a mantel anyway. Decorate those
shelves with your favorite books, photos and objects.
7. Shop purposefully. If
you’re an antiques lover, scour flea markets for perfectly sized gems to
fit on your mantel. By keeping a neutral theme, this vignette appears
thoughtful. Be intentional with your styling — sticking to one theme or
color scheme makes your mantel’s style cohesive.
8. Consider the whole space.
If your room is already full of loud prints, tone down what you do on
the mantel so it doesn’t compete. Just a handful of pieces lined up in a
row is enough here. Leaning mirrors against the wall can help make a
space feel larger.
9. Find balance. You can
tell that these are the shelves of a collector. Beloved objects, art,
plants and books balance one another on the bookshelves and mantel. When
thinking about the pieces you want to display, consider where they fit
best. Start with the largest — chances are it doesn’t fit everywhere. If
you can find a home for it, you’ll have an easier time placing the
rest.
