The minute the air starts to get a little chilly and the leaves start changing on the mountains, I get busy on decorating my mantel for fall. And as soon as I have eaten all my turkey and stuffing, I pull out all things Christmas. Mantels are fun and easy to decorate! I didn’t have a fireplace, so I built one and added an electric insert. But even if you don’t have an actual mantel, a large shelf or sideboard can act as your mantel. And you can deck it out for the holidays and enjoy it all season.
Tip #1: Get Personal
No matter how pretty your mantel is, if there is not a piece of you in it, it will not be as pretty and meaningful as it could be if you were to add something special. For my fall mantel, it was this brass pheasant. One exactly like it sat in my dad’s office all while I was growing up. It is a sweet reminder of a man I love and who is no longer here with us.
For you it could be something you found or picked up while traveling. It could be a photograph, or maybe something passed down to you from a family member. I believe that you will enjoy your space more if you are surrounded by things that mean something to you.
Tip #2: Think About Height
I personally tend to lean toward designs that are not symmetrical. I like one side to be higher than the other, but you don’t want the height different to be too drastic if you chose to do it this way. If you need extra height, like I did with the pumpkin, add some books or storage boxes to give it the needed boost.
Tip#3: Add Something Natural
Whether it is a plant, pumpkins, flowers, branches, leaves, acorns, or pines cones, adding a natural element creates texture, and in some cases, a much needed bit of color. The best part is, natural elements (in most cases) are free! Or at least inexpensive. You can gather things from your garden or backyard to create a stunning mantel.
Tip #4: Add Some Shine!
I am not a huge fan of glitter but I do believe you should have something shiny or glittery in your design. I usually go with something metallic. It could be a gold box, a brass figurine, silver candlesticks, a glittery vase, or anything else you have lying around with some shine. I usually shop the other parts of my house to find objects that will go with my mantel decor. Sometimes I might pick up something new or spray paint something I already have to make it new. I painted these candlesticks gold for Christmas last year.
Tip #5: Have Fun
There is no right way to decorate your mantel; there are infinite ways to do it. All that matters is that YOU like it. Play around until you have it the way you like it. And don’t stress! You can always move things around if you don’t like it after a few days. I hardly ever get my mantel “right” on the first try. I also suggest that you take pictures of your mantels so you can refer back to them the next season in order to recreate it or have it for a starting-off point for a new design.
What are your favorite elements in a holiday mantel? How soon do you start pulling out seasonal decor?
