Our fireplace mantel is probably one of my favorite things to decorate for fall. The fall season is all about adding warmth and coziness to your life, so a mantel is the perfect place to start. Below, I’m sharing some of my best tips to create a mantel that feels balanced and oozes personality.
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5 Tips for Decorating a Fall Mantel
1. Choose a Color Scheme
You’ll first want to decide the overall color scheme for your mantel decor. Your fireplace colors might have a big influence on this. For example, I have a pretty traditional red brick fireplace, so I typically choose warm, saturated colors that compliment the terracotta color of the bricks. If you have a more modern white or black fireplace, it might look more natural to add pops of brighter colors or even go entirely neutral.
This year, I started by finding a highly textured garland and built my color scheme around that. The garland was originally from Michael’s but you can find similar ones at any craft store.
2. Add a Focal Point
Your focal point will be the tallest (and possibly largest) point of your mantel decor. I chose this Ikea Hovsta frame because I wanted to be able to swap out seasonal prints easily. I layered with a smaller wooden frame that I got from the thrift store and chose some complimentary artwork.
Etsy has a great selection of digital downloads that you can choose from. I personally love the New Yorker and have used this Etsy shop’s downloads to add to my collection. I usually get my prints done at Walgreen’s or Staples for same-day pickup.
If you don’t want to use frames or artwork, you can instead use a wreathe, mirror, or wall hanging to create a similar focal point effect. Just make sure that whatever you choose fits with your chosen color scheme and aesthetic.
3. Anchor the Ends
It’s helpful to have pieces with different heights to “anchor” your design at each end of your mantel. This can be achieved in a lot of different ways, but my go-to option is always candles. You can use thin, taper candles or a basic pillar candle. For my fall mantel, I chose to decorate with a set of three flameless pillar candles from Amazon and some gold candle stands. My full review of the candles can be found here if you want to know more about how versatile these candles are.
4. Add Fillers for Visual Interest
As you probably already know, I’m a big fan of pumpkin decor and I have a lot of little pumpkins floating all around my house right now. Small and large pumpkins are lower profile and can do a great job of filling in some space and lending a cozy vibe. I also added real and knit pumpkins to the hearth for some added texture.
Plants are also a great option as a “filler” but make sure the pot or vase doesn’t clash with your color scheme. I added my snake plant to the mantel because I thought the neutral tones paired well with my rattan/burlap pumpkins.
5. Don’t Forget the Garland
I love garlands and I think they’re a great way to add texture and greenery to a space without being too “loud” or distracting. I chose this rustic pinecone garland for it’s muted dried leaves and the tiny pumpkins that match the larger rattan pumpkin (both from Michael’s).
Additionally, if you have a brick fireplace like me, you might be wondering how to hang a garland without damaging anything. These fireplace clips are a great option and they pop right onto the brick without any damage.
All in all, the most important part of decorating a fall mantel is having fun and representing your style in an authentic way. There are so many different ways to incorporate texture, color, and shapes on your mantel, so you really can’t go wrong!
