10 Ways to Create Mantelpiece Magic

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.

Carter Kay Interiors

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.

 

Christopher Burns Interiors

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.

 

Bruce Kading Interior Design

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.

 

Jute Interior Design

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.

 

California Home + Design

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.

 

Julie Williams Design

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.

 

sarah & bendrix

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.

 

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

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.

 

Mary Anne Merfeld - Allied Member ASID

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.

 

Bmac Interiors, LLC

10. Keep it simple. For this contemporary and clean space, less is more. One large piece of art hung over the fireplace and flanked by sconces makes enough of a statement. The styling on the bookcases takes a monochromatic approach.