How to Incorporate a Fireplace Mantle Into Any Home Decor

The fireplace mantel is a focal point supporting a theme or showcasing a personal collection. It can also be a unique way to display indoor plants. To create a balanced composition, choose an anchor piece—such as a striking mirror or oversized art—and build outward from there—layer decor to add interest with vases of flower ephemera.

Choose the Right Material

Even if your home has no fireplace, you can create one. Choose a material that will match your interior design style, then add shelving for displaying decorative items like vases and artwork. Or, opt for a large mirror that helps open up the space and bounces around natural light. A row of sconces on either side provides elegant symmetry and additional task lighting. If a mirror isn’t your thing, hang a piece of art above the modern fireplace mantle as decoration. The color and subject matter can set a mood, so pay attention to the tone you’re trying to cultivate in your room. A clean-lined mantel is ideal for a glass, iron, or ceramic collection. Mix and match in different sizes, shapes, and finishes to create a layered effect. Add an organic element with a topiary or planter for an extra pop of green. And if you hang a piece of art, choose something that works with the rest of your room’s colors for a cohesive style.

Paint the Walls

The walls on either side of a fireplace are as crucial to the overall look as the mantel. Instead of letting them blend into the background, paint them in a complementary color to make your decor pop. Designers often add shelves or built-ins to each side of a fireplace to create a balanced, symmetrical look that draws the eye upward. Consider painting a long, narrow rectangle of wall adjacent to your fireplace a darker shade than the rest of the room for extra visual drama. Then, dress up the space with simple accessories, like this living room’s oversized mirror and two matching deer figurines. Stacking multiple frames of different sizes on your fireplace wall is another great way to add interest and depth to the space, as shown in this casual coastal-style living room. Add a few seasonless decor pieces, like rattan trays and wood candlesticks, to keep the look balanced and streamlined.

Arrange the Mantel

Achieving a balanced mantel display requires a bit of thought. Aim to have an underlying theme, such as floral stems or framed art, and build the vignette around it. Even numbers might look staged or stale, so try odd number combinations instead (such as one large vase with three smaller ones). Stack vases and candles of different heights to create a layered, exciting effect. This technique gives the vignette balance while visually enlarging the space. Place the tallest objects before the shorter ones to accentuate the scale. For an asymmetrical approach that still feels intentional, start with an oversized base, such as a mirror or an oversized piece of wall art, then fill in the rest of the space with items of varying sizes. This works exceptionally well when the wall material is textural, such as stone or brick. The resulting arrangement feels like a natural extension of the wall hanging and helps highlight the wall’s texture.

Add Accessories

There are countless ways to accessorize and dress up a fireplace mantel. You can create a layered aesthetic, frame a single photo, or install wall shelves to show off your collection of candles and vases. Regardless of your choice, it’s essential to find an anchor piece that represents the style of your room. A framed photo of family members works well to tie the two sides of the space together. Then, add a variety of vases, frames, and other items to fill in the gaps. Mixing framed artwork with collectibles, figurines, and other decorative pieces creates depth and allows you to tell your story. Change your look each season by displaying different colors, textures, and decor shapes. For example, you could hang a simple wooden bead garland on your mantel instead of a traditional Christmas wreath. Or, you can repurpose a white wicker screen as an alternative to a traditional mantel curtain, as this homeowner did in her cottage-style living space.