Elevate your room with design ideas for your mantel.
James Ransom
In the South, we love a well-styled and accessorized fireplace mantel.
The more layers, the prettier the finished product.
Credit:James Ransom
Anotherfireplace mantel decorating ideais to place mirrors in various sizes and shapes to replace the standard single mirror.
We havemantel decorating ideasfor Christmas, but we don’t forget the beautiful scenery changes in fall.
Autumn-inspired mantel decorations are a great way to cozy up to the fire on those chilly fall days.
Credit:Cody Ulrich
Before hanging up your decorating hat, don’t forget about youroutdoor fireplacebecause it deserves some love too.
Here are some cozy ideas to make any fireplace mantel the room’s focal point.
ThisTexas farmhousehas a gorgeous white stone frame around the fireplace that adds both dimension and a mantel shelf.
Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper
It’s simple and modern without overpowering the room.
The white tones and natural green elements relieve the eye from the busy shelves and furniture.
Instantly adding elegance to any space, a marble fireplace setting showcases the sophistication in the room.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
The simple arrangement above this fireplace is clean and elegant.
Candles add a cozy touch to an evening dinner.
Embrace Fall Foliage
Take advantage of theseasonal foliageand incorporate it into your home decor.
Credit:Brie Williams
We love these elegantly draped oak and magnolia leaves, and stacked pumpkins that complete the fall effect.
Foraging for items outside might be the perfect way to find inspiration.
This draping adds a pop of natural color to a monochromatic room.
Credit: Helen Norman
Switch the garland strands to fit any occasion.
Use Screens
A white wicker screen matches the cottage-like decor of this home’s living room.
It’s both practical and stylish.
Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller and Elly Poston Cooper
Upcycling an outdoor screen can be a way to add character to a space usually deemed traditional.
Trying an uncluttered arrangement can bring serenity to the room and be a resting point for the eyes.
Find something that brings you happiness and place it front and center, with no distractions.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper
The round mirror adds a playful touch while pulling in elements from the room.
Use this space to bundle coordinating artwork to create a treat that continues to surprise viewers.
Vintage or accent mirrors create a focal point to the room without taking up any space.
Credit: Jillian Guyette
Mirrors over the fireplace can also act as reflective tools to increase the perception of room size.
Leaving original mantels incorporates the home’s history into a new living space.
When salvaging is possible, look to keep woodworking as authentic as possible.
Credit:James Ransom
A vase of pink flowers perfectly accentuates the eye-catching wall color.
Add neutral colors like this gallery wall to keep the fireplace in focus as the stand-out in the room.
Contrast Focal Points
A whitebrick fireplaceprovides the perfect backdrop for cheery pops of color.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
As a blank canvas, the fireplace encourages seasonal changes based on your creative whims.
The renovatedlake retreatretains its vintage charm while presenting a wide-ranging mix of decor.
This concept is simultaneously sleek and rustic.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Heather Chadduck,
Dress Up The Room With An Embossed Marble Fireplace
This carved antique mantel requires little dressing up.
The classic embellishments add a traditional character to your home.
A piece of modern art reinforces the antique yet contemporary feel.
Credit:Helen Norman
Part of theSouthern Living2023 Idea House, this fireplace adds warmth to the speakeasy design.
Art rests on the mantel rather than being hung and can easily be swapped out throughout the year.
A painting by South Carolina artist Linda Rorer defines this mantel.
Credit: Mary Craven
Combine Classic And Whimsy
Comfortable and formal collide in this vibrant living room.
A traditional mantel juxtaposes the whimsical decor.
Surrounding a classic fireplace with bold colors and modern decor adds to the room’s personality.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason
The cast-stone fireplace, flanked by neutral shiplap, creates the perfect canvas for a standout decor piece.
The casual setting around this special place in your home is worth a memorable mantel.
Add Personal Touches
We love decor that has a story.
Credit:Alexandra Rowley
Personalize your mantel with old family portraits to give the room character without oversized, posed photos.
Make your mantel showcase your family’s history with all the shared moments in your home.
Play With Patterns
With such an intricately decorated room, the fireplace offers a splash of simplicity.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
Twin sculpted plants rest on each side of a gold-framed painting.
The no-frills fireplace encourages pattern exploration throughout the rest of the room.
Build A New Space
Helen Norman; Styling: Jeff Minnich
Relocate your family outdoors.
Credit: Wayne C. Moore of Back River Photography
This stunning outdoor fireplace keeps it casual with festive fall foliage and wood panel detailing.
Outdoor fireplaces provide theperfect gathering spacefor the fall and winter holidays, creating an extra room for entertaining.
Additionally, the lighting near the fireplace sparks a desire to read by the fireplace.
Credit: Marili Forastieri; Styling: Barbara Schmidt
The modern construction allows for more presentation options for the holidays around the mantel.
Go For Modern
Easy, breezy, and modern.
The simple surroundings also support this setup because there are fewer distractions.
Credit:LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLIST: MATTHEW GLEASON
Honor The Lake House
Richly hued walls complement thestone fireplace.
The complexity of the stonework draws viewers' immediate attention, adding to the rustic atmosphere of the room.
Comfortable seating makes for an inviting spot to enjoy the fire.
Credit:Helen Norman, Styling: Rebecca Omweg
The contrasting black mirror adds an exciting element to the room, amplifying the white brick fireplace.
The tucked-away fireplace invites you to sit in this cozy space to enjoy its warmth.
The luxury of natural light makes this room perfect for winter days and relaxing evenings.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Create A Guest Suite Retreat
This unimposing fireplace creates a cozy spot for guests to unwind.
Rich brown walls and a combination of neutral fabrics further the retreat’s appeal by creating an understated haven.
Bold art and simple mantel decor create a dramatic effect.
Credit:Erica George Dines
A TV is mounted above, making this a popular spot for relaxation.
The mantel, keeping with the simplicity theme, contains a few items displayed in mirroring symmetry.
Use Unexpected Materials
A stone chimney is beautiful but also expected in many homes.
Credit: Ellis Creek
The natural horizontal wood paneling and mantel around this fireplace tie it together with the built-ins flanking the hearth.
Sourcing a mix of materials is a way to build a one-of-a-kind statement piece.
A TV is mounted above the mantel, giving this room laid-back appeal.
Credit: Rodney R. Collins/Beacham & Company REALTORS
Since the room is so carefree, the fireplace displays the same easiness as the surrounding decor.
On either side of the mantel, the unique storage adds character showcasing the family’s hobbies.
Open to the rest of the floor plan, this welcoming fireplace is a spot for people to gather.
Credit:Helen Norman; Styling: Jeff Minnich
Coordinating shades of green throughout the room help tie together the area.
Additionally, theopposing couchesencourage great conversations around the roaring fire.
The brick hearth meets the coffered ceiling and creates a striking structural feature.
Credit: Photography Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV / Styling Buffy Hargett
It adds a vintage, rustic charm to see the wood piles collected to supply the cozy fire.
Fantastic art prints placed in vintage or unique frames can help boost the visual appeal.
Add some lighting near the fireplace to show off your art collection.
Credit: Costa Christ
Keep It Bright
The bright accent pieces in this living room play off the light stone fireplace.
It’s fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Matching the mantel to the beams on the ceiling helps to add cohesiveness to the room.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Look into this option so you are ready for theholiday seasonand all the mantel decorating fun.
The neutral colors and stone add warmth to this cozy space.
Use shades of color to add interest and cohesiveness to the room.
Credit:Helen Norman
Blend Seasonal Accents
This fireplace combines everything we love about the holidays into one cohesive display.
Stick with a color palette like thistraditional green and red schemeto ensure all your decor is complementary.
Fresh greenery, pretty ribbons and bows, and red berries bring life to this display.
Credit:Lisa Romerein, Styling: Rebecca Omweg
Fill In The Space
A white mantel acts as a shelf in this sleek design.
Matching the mantel to the walls lets the pretty blue-green fireplace be the design star.
Make A Sleek Statement
A white fireplace adds bold contrast to dark blue walls.
Credit:Tria Giovan, Styling: Matthew Gleason
Sleek lines in this combination of modern art, candlesticks, and decor add interest to the mantel.
The white space above draws the eye up and provides a dramatic effect.
Play With Color
Play with color to pull in elements from the room.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Layering the art instead of hanging it gives it a casual, homey look.
Reflect The Light
A mirror makes a space feel larger and more open.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no standard size for a fireplace or mantel.
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Matthew Gleason
This can be a good design choice for some spaces, especially small rooms.
If you mount a television over the mantel, you may need to buffer it from the heat.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn / Styling Scott Martin
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface
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Credit:Brian Woodcock
Credit:William Waldron
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit:Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Marlaina Teich Designs
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
