51 Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas and Expert Tips

Turn your fireplace into a focal point all year round with mantel decor ideas that match your home style and elevate your interiors.

You can spruce up your fireplace mantel with anything from framed art or decorative mirrors to candles, decor objects, dried florals, or real plants. Use your mantel to showcase travel souvenirs, display a favorite collection, or add color, texture, and personality to your space.

Check out these mantel decor ideas in a range of styles that will inspire you to style your fireplace, with expert tips from interior designers to help guide you. 

Meet the Experts

• Rozit Arditi is the founder of New York-based interior design firm Arditi Design.

• Michelle Gage is the founder and creative director of Michelle Gage Interior Design, based in Bryn Mawr, PA.

• Meg Young is the founder of Cailini Coastal, an online store that sells coastal-themed home accents.

Decorate With Bud Vases

Have fun with florals. Rather than grouping stems together in one large vase, opt for bud vases or smaller jars and create a sunny display on the mantel that is sure to brighten everyone in your household's day.

You can change out the type of flower you showcase with each new season, too. Or go faux—with so many fabulous fake flowers on the market, no one will be able to tell the difference.

Line Up Pillar Candlesticks

Line up those pillar candlesticks for maximum impact. During the day, you'll be able to appreciate this fun arrangement, and at night, lighting the candles will create a relaxing ambiance.

"Use decorative items of various sizes and heights to create visual interest and create balance," says interior designer Rozit Arditi.

Layer In a Portrait

Source an old portrait in an ornate frame at a flea market or estate sale and give it pride of place on your mantel.

"I like to make sure that my mantels have a good balance in regards to scale," says interior designer Michelle Gage. "You’ll likely need something tall at the center—like a mirror or artwork. Then, play with objects of varying heights beside it…be it a plant, vase or brass object."

Layer Artwork and Objects

If your have an extra-wide fireplace with a TV above it, steal some focus by layering a mix of framed art and objects on either side.

Erin Williamson Design mixed colorful framed artwork in a range of styles to add interest to this renovated midcentury modern-style living room.

Try a Vintage Doily

A vintage doily makes a major statement on this mantel paired with beads and sculptural objects in corresponding colors. Best of all, it won't cost you more than a few dollars.

Style a Mantel Plant Shelf

Plant pots don't need to be filled to look charming. Display a few empty ones alongside your green friends to bring the country cottage look home. Rustic accents, like a vintage looking window frame, contribute to this casual, farmhouse style mantel.

Tip

When you have several items on a mantel, layer items to give your vignette or display a sense of depth. Make sure that the items connect to each other in some way—be it through color, material, or theme.

Pair Mirrors and Artwork

There's no need to decide between displaying a mirror on the mantel versus some artwork—you can enjoy the best of both worlds and feature both. Layering a mirror in front of an oversized art piece adds intrigue to this coastal inspired display.

Edit Your Mantel Display

Meg Young, founder of Cailini Coastal, has a less is more philosophy when it comes to mantel decor.

"I really value simplicity in home decor," she says, "and a mantel is one of those areas that this sentiment holds true. If your mantel is covered in shiplap or has intricate wood detailing, you don't need a whole lot to dress it up."

Display Dried Greens

Fresh or dried greenery looks fabulous on the mantel all year long, not just during the winter holidays.

"Candles and fresh florals or greenery are always an instant way to liven up a space and a mantel," Young says. "Opt for tall greens or branches."

Line Your Mantel With Books

Running out of room to store all of your novels? Go ahead and turn to the mantel. You don't have to be a bookworm to appreciate this cozy setup, though—your living room will feel like an old-timey library with a sweet touch like this one.

Decorate With Empty Frames

Embrace shabby chic style by decorating your fireplace mantel with empty vintage or antique picture frames which can be sourced at thrift stores or online. Layer several atop your mantel to create a timeless display with a romantic feel.

Decorate Around the TV

Oftentimes, the most ideal spot to hang a TV is over the mantel—but don't let that stop you from having a little decorating fun. You can still easily incorporate plants, pictures, and candles as we see above, all of which add personality to any space without blocking the view.

Display Colorful Glass

Show off your glassware collection by grouping a few favorite pieces on the mantel top—bonus points if they all fall within the same color family.

Add Coastal Decor

Celebrate coastal style by incorporating some nautical touches to your mantel. Anchor-themed decor, wooden art, and of course, lots of coral, will do the trick. Arditi also appreciates decorating around a theme—to a degree.

"Don't make it random," she advises. "Find objects and art that complement each other, but don't necessarily make it matchy-matchy."

Personalize With Letters

An oversized letter of the alphabet that honors your first initial or your family's last name can be the perfect personal touch to add to your mantel. You could also spell out a word or phrase if you like. Craft stores make it easy to purchase letters in all finishes and sizes that you can display throughout the year.

Accent With Gold

Gold or brass figurines instantly make an impact—you don't need more than two to add some glam to your mantel top. Animal sculptures are always ultra trendy, too, and family members both young and old will appreciate them.

Add a Trailing Plant

Display a trailing plant on one end of your mantel for a casual asymmetrical feel. And don't forget about cute pots and plant stands, if you have room. If you don't think you'll remember to keep your plant nice and hydrated, you may wish to purchase a faux version.

Tip

A collection of like items is a great way to fill a mantel and create a visually pleasing display. Vases are a perfect example, as they're close in color and size but vary enough in shape to create visual interest.

Incorporate Colorful Art

When it comes to artwork above the mantel, don't be afraid to go big or go home with an oversized abstract piece like the one shown above. If you're creatively inclined, you could even try your hand at making your own jumbo artwork. The beauty of abstract pieces is that they're perfectly imperfect, so don't get overwhelmed if you have to improvise a little as you go.

Try an Eclectic Mix

There's nothing wrong with being a little eclectic when it comes to your mantel decor. Here, we see a candle, mirror, cactus, star sculpture, and even a miniature zebra. It's safe to say that this mantel is full of character.

Hang a Mantel Garland

Hanging a garland from the bottom of your mantel isn't just for the winter season. A beaded one will look charming all year round and add a playful touch to your mantel. You can easily make your own if you like; all you need are some pretty beads and tassels.

Try an Organic Mirror Shape

Evoke retro style with an organic-shaped mirror that will add a sense of playfulness to the wall about your mantel. Studio Peake paired an abstract mirror with colorful mantel decor, from the candlesticks to the vase of bright pink flowers.

Display Some Artsy Accents

Why bother hanging a gallery wall when you can stylishly lean your favorite framed pieces atop the mantel? This is a great solution for those with an overflowing art collection who have run out of wall space, as well as for those who are less inclined to pound nail holes into the wall or enjoy changing up their artwork frequently.

Display a Decorative Clock

There's nothing like a vintage- or antique-style oversized clock to serve as decor. For those who are drawn to traditional or farmhouse style, a decorative clock is an excellent way to throw it back to simpler times.

Bring on the Vintage Style

A vintage art print will add personality to any room and pairs wonderfully with an antique mantel. Top off the look with some brass candlesticks and you're golden.

Coordinate With the Hearth

Help hide a large TV by surrounding it with a few pretty pieces of pottery and hearth.

"To create balance from floor to ceiling, consider accessorizing both the hearth and the mantel," says interior designer Liza Kuhn. "Heavier accents like fireplace screens, tools, and decorative baskets are great foundation pieces for the hearth, while the mantel can be dressed with lighter accents like candles, books, and small vases."

Keep it Luxe and Classic

One can never go wrong displaying an ornate gold-toned mirror above a mantel. The bigger the better, especially if you're looking to recreate a dreamy Parisian-inspired space.

"Adding a show-stopping mirror above the fireplace is one of my favorite ways to elevate your mantel decor," says interior designer Danielle Chiprut. "Not only does a mirror pack a punch visually, it makes your room appear larger and brighter by bouncing light around it."

Use Mirrors to Bounce Light

Style a duo of mirrors beside a large piece of art and watch light flicker around the room.

"Consider the mantel the visage of the room," says Kuhn. "Much like we dress our own faces with coordinating makeup and jewelry, the mantel is embellished with well-balanced accessories and decor."

Decorate With Neutral Books

Flip books with neutral covers facing the opposite direction if you're looking for some textural accents that aren't too busy. All of the pieces displayed on this mantel are likely items you have on hand throughout the house—small art prints, a flower pot, and some greenery—making this look ultra easy to recreate.

Try a Map Theme

Framed antique maps are always enjoyable to look at and are a great way showcase a love of history or a passion for a particular area of the world. Vary frame types and sizes for a show-stopping display.

Layer Boho-Style Pieces

A fringed garland, wooden mirror, and windowpanes make for a perfect boho-style mantel display. Layering is the name of the game.

Try a Nautical Theme

If you're hoping to go beyond typical pieces like candlesticks and vases, think about your surroundings and how you can pay tribute to them in your styling. A collection of ship figurines are perfectly at home on this Maine home mantel.

Display Your Hat Collection

Hang a collection of straw hats on the shiplap wall above the mantel for a carefree look.

"If you want to give a simple refresh, you can revitalize an old mantel by painting it white and decorating simply," Arditi suggests. A vase filled with sunflowers only makes the display look more cheery.

Display Rustic Accents

Rustic horn sculptures add height and intrigue to the mantel in this Spanish Revival living room decorated with dark wood and white tones.

Hang Muted Art

Hang an abstract piece of art in muted tones above the mantel in a modern living room for a decorated feel that doesn't dominate.

"A large sculpture or piece of artwork can do a lot for your space without overwhelming the mantel," explains Gina Silveri, procurement manager at Vertical Arts. "The sculpture is sure to draw the eye and add texture, while a piece of art can bring in multiple colors from the room into one cohesive piece."

Showcase Natural Elements

Decorate your mantel with things that remind you of happy memories or favorite vacations in the sun. "For a coastal touch, we love using a natural shell," says Young. "Place on top of a stack of vintage blue books or decorative boxes for a subtle coastal nod."

Brighten With Bold Art

Pair a bright wall color with a large-scale painting that has contrasting colors to create drama above the mantel.

Studio Peake paired vibrant yellow walls with an abstract painting in shades of red, green, and black that wake up this traditional London living room. The mantel itself is layered with candlesticks and small postcards of favorite works.

Layer It Like a Pro

You don't need to invest in gigantic art pieces if you prefer collecting a few smaller framed works and grouping them together.

"Layering is always a good idea—I love leaning large pieces of art, and then mixing them with smaller objects in the front. This will create depth and dimension," Arditi says. "Be careful not to over-layer, and make sure to give the pieces room to breathe. You always want pieces to stand out and not blend in together."

Try a Maximalist Mantel

Take a maximalist approach to your mantel by grouping baskets of all shapes, sizes, and styles together, then layer in extras like books or bottles. "If your mantel needs more to make it look filled, but not cluttered, try a vase with real or fake flowers, a stack of books with a plant on top and a grouping of candlesticks," says Silveri.

Add a Conversation Starter

Grab those portraits and lean them on the mantel top—then ask guests to make up a story about each individual when they come over. Vintage portraits have a way of livening up a room immediately and are a classic decor must.

Hang a Vintage Poster

A large framed vintage poster will add colorful graphics to complement a traditional interior like this space from Studio Peake.

Display a Mix of Plants

Topiaries and small plants look delightful on this mantel and prove that simple green touches can liven up any area in no time. Display a variety of plants in similar vessels for a cohesive look.

Try a Pop of Blue

If you prefer a neutral look, you can still experiment a bit with pops of color in the form of practical pieces like ginger jars, which can double as vases. Just remember to leave some space between them to let the display breathe.

"Don't be afraid of open space," says Kuhn. "It is tempting to fill the entire length of the mantel with accessories, but the most successful arrangements come when there is space between each decorative element. This allows each item to shine on its own, while ensuring that the fireplace as a whole doesn't look cluttered."

Pair Black and Gold Items

A globe atop a stack of books isn't just for the classroom. Stick to shades of black and gold for a timeless and cohesive feel.

Display a Decorative Plate

There's no reason that our favorite china has to hide away in our kitchen cabinets and only see the light of day once a year. Prop a favorite plate up on a stand and let it serve as a piece of mantel decor.

Add Warm Earth Tones

Modernize a mantel with geometric art prints and warm earth-toned terracotta vases filled with pampas grass. This setup would be excellent for a boho-style space and is super easy to DIY (the art is homemade).

"Decorating with natural accents such as tall branches or fluffy pampas adds just the right amount of drama to your mantel," says Chiprut. "I love the organic shapes and texture that these pieces bring to the design, it helps to balance out all of the harder elements used for decor."

Try a Floral Theme

Try matching your mantel decor to the art you have hanging—especially when the theme is florals. Two vases flank this vintage painting for a symmetrical display.

"If you don't like layering, creating symmetry is the most classic way to style a mantel," Arditi says. Designer Kim Armstrong agrees: "A simple symmetrical design keeps you focused on the architecture of the mantel—which if done correctly, should really be the star of the show."

Show Off Vintage Teacups

Use your mantel to display a collection of colorful vintage teacups.

"Another key design element is the use of repetition," says Armstrong. "A mantel is not a large area, and if you repeat similar objects in your design, that is a surefire way to help you create harmony on your mantel space."

Reflect Your Surroundings

Celebrate your home's location by decorating your mantel with items that pay tribute to your surroundings. A lakeside home isn't complete without boat-themed accessories, for example.

Mix Modern and Classic Art

Modernize a period fireplace with a mix of modern pop art and classical sculpture for a kitschy feel, like this 1920s Tudor home living room from Brexton Cole Interiors.

Add a Small Table Lamp

Try a tiny lamp atop the mantel—both to brighten up your space and as a sweet piece of decor. Little lamps come in all colors and styles, so have fun choosing the one that speaks to you.

Try Hiding the TV

Designers love hanging the Samsung Frame TV above a mantel.

"I love the Samsung Frame, as it looks like a piece of art," says Young. "There are hundreds of options for digital art to choose from, and you can change the look and feel of a room easily for each season."

Read the original article on The Spruce.