How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel

National Positions·October 23, 2021

The fireplace mantel is an extension of your home’s personality and your style. How you decorate it will significantly enhance the look of your living room, or it can do the opposite.

Today, we’ll explore how to decorate a fireplace mantel, whether you have an electric fireplace or a gas and wood model. We’ll also investigate different styles to match interior design options.

What Is a Fireplace Mantel?

Moody fireplace indoor, with two green armchairs, and home-like ornaments around.

A chimneypiece or fireplace mantel covers part of the chimney breast and frames the fireplace. This feature was first designed to prevent smoke from entering the room by hooding the chimney.

In modern times, functionality is not the only reason why fireplace mantels are so popular. They can have many shapes and sizes, and they provide room for decoration. Therefore, many people like to use them as extensions of their interior design.

You can find fireplace mantels with gothic, classic, or Victorian designs. They can be small, just frames, or extend to the ceiling.

3 Factors to Consider When Decorating a Fireplace Mantel

Beautiful composition with fresh flowers on mantelpiece

To decorate your fireplace mantel, you’ll first need to determine the style of your home. If you make your mantel look vintage but the rest of the house has a modern style, it could feel disconnected.

You might like to keep the following in mind for mantel decorating ideas:

The style of your fireplace mantel will determine what type of decoration you should use. For instance, ornate designs probably don’t need multiple ornaments as they can saturate the room. On the other hand, simple framed mantels might require more embellishment to avoid looking bare.
The size of your mantel is another crucial factor when choosing the right decorations. For example, it would be better to avoid large decorations like mirrors or clocks if your mantel extends to the ceiling. A tall fireplace mantel is already decorative by itself.
You should always consider the interior design of your house before decorating your fireplace mantel. You can choose to make your mantel’s decoration blend with the house. Alternatively, you can use a few contrasting elements to make the mantel even more of a focal point.

Consider Decor with Different Proportions

christmas decorated room with a mantelpiece

Here’s how to decorate a fireplace mantel using decor with different proportions:

Antiques of different sizes can help you create a vintage look. You can place them on your fireplace mantel or hang them over the top. For example, you could use old candlesticks and tin boxes on top of your mantel. You can even combine the antiques with vintage mirrors and clocks.
Using candles and lamps of different shapes can help you eliminate empty spaces on your fireplace mantel. You can combine them with paintings and mirrors of the same style to complete the look of your home.
Hanging plants and flowers over the fireplace mantel can bring the calmness of nature inside the house. It also helps you enhance the atmosphere and style of the room. Devil’s ivy, Boston ferns, mistletoe cactus, and succulents are some of the most popular indoor options.
You can display your collectibles on the fireplace mantel. You might use an antique clock, old bottles, ceramics, or any other distinctive items.
Rustic style decorations can enhance the warm feeling of a countryside house. Small items made of wood like statues or portraits can blend perfectly with this type of design.

Tip: A double-decker can be an excellent ally if you want to display many items on your fireplace mantel. With the extra space, you can put up your collection of family photos or glass vases.

Consider Using Mirrors or Clocks to Make the Space Look Bigger

Beautiful composition with fresh flowers and vintage clock on mantelpiece

Here’s how to decorate a fireplace mantel using mirrors and clocks:

Layered antique mirrors are popular options in many houses. They could be perfect if you are looking to give your home a vintage feeling. The mirrors can also help you increase the room’s depth, and you can combine them with pieces of art.
A mirror of significant size can give the room a sophisticated look. It can also help to make the room feel bigger than it is. You can choose between an ornate model or a classic mirror, depending on your taste and the style of your house.
A big vintage clock combined with some antiques can give your house a classy look. It can be particularly effective if you have a lot of wood decorations and portraits around the house.
Cuckoo clocks can also give your fireplace mantel a unique look and feel. They come in many shapes and sizes and can match any vintage or rustic decorations.

Choose Art Depending on Your Taste and Interior Design

Modern lliving room interior with venice, italy, canvas on the wall

One of the best places to exhibit your art collection is on the fireplace mantel.

However, before you buy a new piece of art that “fits” your mantel, you might want to consider if it fits your taste and general interior design. You’ll be looking at it almost daily, and if you don’t love it, you’ll likely end up changing it.

Here’s how to decorate a fireplace mantel using pieces of art:

Abstract art is a unique way to complete the decoration of your fireplace mantel. Usually, this type of art blends perfectly with black and white details, making it ideal for modern houses.
Rustic farmhouse-style art is a relaxed decoration style that’s become popular more recently. It uses a pastel and white color palette, especially in paintings. Use this style with your fireplace mantel if you want your house to feel calm.
Family portraits can also decorate your fireplace mantel and add a personal touch. They can add a homey feeling to your mantel, whether you use a portrait of you and your spouse or your entire family.
Hanging a canvas over your fireplace mantel allows for more versatility than a framed painting. It will give the room an artistic feeling that other methods can’t provide.
You can place many vintage prints over the fireplace mantel and combine them with decorative antiques.
Add a banner with your family crest to decorate your fireplace mantel. If you don’t have one, you can easily create one with the help of your family. Doing this can also involve your kids in an interactive activity.
Old maps can enhance the vintage feel of your room. If you and your family like to travel, you can show off this passion with your fireplace mantel.

Upgrade to a High-Quality Mantel with CAPO Building Specialties

Rustic barn wood concrete mantel

Looking to remodel your mantel or add a new fireplace altogether to your house? At CAPO Building Specialties, we have you covered! We have a complete product range for every home type, whether you’re looking for a new mantel, electric fireplace or a gas and wood fireplace.