34 Mantel Decor Ideas for a Homey Hearth, From Herb Bundles to Displayed Collections

Many people love to decorate with traditional seasonal color schemes (for example, fall
colors tend to include oranges, browns, and yellows), but pops of color that feel on the
moodier side can add instant drama to a mantel display that works year-round. “Rich,
moody colors, such as a deep burnt yellow, navy blue, dark brown, and burgundy are
great choices for a mantel,” says Kate Landry of A Hundred Affections. “It’s a warm
color palette…but it’s just a little bit unexpected and unique.”

Focus on florals for a fresh take year-round

Florals can be seasonal or year-round additions to your mantel.

Photo: Mustafa Bugra Celik/Getty Images

Certain seasonal items tend to steal the show on the mantelpiece. For example,
pumpkins in fall or evergreen garlands in winter can command pride of place on the
fireplace mantel in their seasons. “But consider minimizing your use of pumpkins and
include more florals and stems instead,” Landry says. Sticking with florals means you
don’t have to update your mantel for every new season. Or keep the mantel decor
pieces centered on florals and stems that are emblematic of the current time of year. For example,
for fall, there’s a vast array of different florals and stems you can include, such as wheat
stalks, leaf stems, berry branches, corn stalks, and wildflower bouquets in rich fall
colors. “This will also give your home a more natural and organic feel,” she says.

Frequently asked questions

What decorations to put on the mantel?

There are so many factors at play in considering what decorations to put on the mantel. The size of your mantelpiece, the design style of the rest of the room, and whether or not you use the mantel for burning incense or candles are all considerations when decorating a fireplace mantel.

Tara McCauley, an interior designer based in New York, encourages going big with a large piece of mantel decor. “Mantels are an underrated place to display sculptures or objects that can’t be hung directly on the wall,” she says. “At the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse, I displayed a pair of contemporary metal sculptures by the artist Gunnar Theel atop the very traditional marble mantel in the primary bedroom.”

On the other hand, a single standalone item is all you might need to create visual interest. A professional family portrait, for example, might do the trick. If the design of your mantel is eye-catching already, displaying fewer items is best.

How do you style a modern mantel?

This all depends on whom you talk to. For modern farmhouse–style shiplap mantels, go for French topiaries or more pastoral pieces from the Magnolia brand by documented shiplap superfans, Chip and Joanna Gaines. But for many, the key to modern styling is choosing minimalist designs. Here, the idea is to pare the mantel down rather than overwhelm it with too many accessories. To get a streamlined look, choose one or two simple yet standout pieces to set the mood. “I always associate a pair of candlesticks with some ivory tapers with warmth and coziness—preferably melted down a bit, so that they don’t look fresh from the store,” says McCauley. The warm glow from a candle can be enough to achieve a simple, modern look with a touch of romance.

How can I decorate my mantel?

Start small, and then layer on your favorite pieces into a vignette or two. Ledet prefers layering to mix and match. “I am a fan of asymmetry for mantels,” she says. “I always gravitate towards a few items: family photos in one-of-a-kind frames, a funky mirror or piece of art, candlesticks, and a vessel with natural florals.” Once she gets all the right standout items, she plays around with their placement to find the best balance to complement the room. Ledet adds, “The best part is that these items are easy to change and mix to keep your mantel evolving and relative to your personal life and taste.” Now that you’ve got the gist of decorating a mantel, read on for 21 ideas mantel decor ideas.