When it comes to my decor, you know I have two requirements; cheap and easy. After all, if it breaks the bank and takes too much time, then decorating becomes a chore. Anyone else feel this way? You have probably noticed that I’m the queen at moving decor items around the house to re decorate rather than buying new. “Ain’t nobody got time or money for that,” right? Right. So I wanted to share a few simple tips on how to decorate a fireplace mantel, or shelf, for any season.
Tell me the truth, are you overwhelmed when it comes to styling a space? I used to be.
Most people don’t take the time to decorate or re decorate a mantel because it’s just not worth the effort.
This is the attitude I will try to help you change!
I learned a few easy tricks on how to decorate a mantel or shelf and I want to share them with you.
Let me show you with an photo from Country Living;
- Use a large piece of decor in the center. It’s always important to create an “anchor” piece, or a large visual object of interest. This can be a mirror, clock, or large vase. This blogger pictured above used a large painting.
- Use different layers of varying heights. This is (in my opinion) the most important part. When you start to add your smaller pieces of decor, stagger them by varying height. For example, if you have a large or tall piece, set it next to a smaller or skinnier piece. Continue with varying the heights and weights of the objects to balance the space.
- Use different textures with different colors. This is also important to create visual interest, or in other words, create an exciting space to look at.
- Create balance on either side of the mantel. I said it was important to create different textures and create varying heights and weights, but more importantly you need to balance it all out. When you step back to look at the mantel, make sure the “weight” of the objects on the left equals the “weight” of the objects on the right. For example, the picture below she added two different decor pieces on either side of the plate, but they both have the same “weight.”
- Most importantly, have fun. There isn’t an exact “science” to this, just a few loose guidelines to follow if you need a little help creating a visually exciting decorated mantel.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to create a visually exciting fireplace mantel decorated for any season.
Let’s recap, shall we?
- Use a large decor piece in the center
- Use different layers of varying heights on each side
- Use different textures and colors, and use them interchangeably
And that sums up how to decorate a mantel for any season in a nutshell!
I hope this shares some insight on how to decorate a mantel or shelf with more ease.
I used the principles that I listed above to create my own fall mantel. What do you think?
Here are more photos of my antique fireplace mantel decorated for fall.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ve been inspired to create a beautiful styled mantel for any holiday.
If you enjoyed this post I would love for you to Pin the image below to Pinterest.
RELATED POSTS:
How to Decorate a Spring Mantel
A Vintage Style Christmas Mantel
How to Create an Antique Fireplace Mantel from Craigslist
Lindsey**
Beautiful mantel. Thanks for the tips. And your latte recipe sounds delicious!!
That is beautiful! I love simple and easy….it usually ends up turning out prettier anyway! I think that mug is my favorite. 🙂
Great tips. I hate to buy things also so your suggestion of moving things around is a good idea. Your mantel looks so good.
Great tips! It took me forever to find the balance and an arrangement I liked on our mantel. Who knew these areas could be so creatively challenging?! Visiting from Think Tank Thursday party.
Thanks and it took me a while to figure out the styling part, so I figured I would share my thoughts.
Love Love Love!! Great tips! I need that Rae Dunn mug!!!
Stopping by from #Alittlebitofeverything
I love this! I love decorating my mantle for the seasons. Although, with young and wild little boys at home, I learned how to be creative with nonbreakable things that are in hands reach. I can’t wait to try the coffee recipe, and so loving the mug!
Thank you Lindsey!
I adore that clock. I have a thing for really big clocks.
I love the clock!
Oh how pretty is this! I never thought about decorating our mantel to suit the seasons, I am so going to do this!
I love this! I wish I could have a personal decorator come help me with these things. I’m saving this to Pinterest so I can look back on it as a guide. Thank you!
Gorgeous. I have been meaning to do something like this… I am inspired! #thatfridaylinky
Saw this on the Sweet Inspiration Link party. Beautiful job. Love the quick video!
I love your mantel, the big clock is amazing. Would love to have you stop by #omhgff this week to share!
Have a wonderful weekend!
What a lovely mantle! I’m trying to decide what I like best, the clock, the pumpkins, the books, then antique mantle itself? I love decorating for every season, but lately my fall decorations are looking pretty tired. Rather than buying new things, every year I find a pretty piece I already own and incorporate it into the seasonal decor – love it so much more than buying something new!
Great ideas here Lindsey–I wish I could do them all! Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful motel great job Thank you for linking to #ThatFridayLinky Please come back next week
Gorgeous pictures and ideas here! I have a terrible eye for interior design so need all of the help I can get. You’ve given some really clear and easy steps to follow to get a beautiful result! Thanks so much for sharing with #fortheloveofblog
What a beautiful mantelpiece! We have a lovely fireplace, but I do feel a bit cheated that our mantelpiece is just that bit too narrow to really put much on. I have a big mirror, but anything else needs to be draped underneath rather than sitting on the top. Yours looks stunning though – autumn is such a lovely season! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Gorgeous mantel piece decor and I love your video
Lindsey, these are helpful tips on decorating…my weakest area…sad, but we all have different gifts. That’s not one of mine, unfortunately. Your mantel is lovely. The expresso sounds delish too.
This looks gorgeous. We don’t have a mantel in our house and it’s the one thing I would love to add. Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Love your fireplace facing! The added holiday decoration is nice too 😉
That’s gorgeous! Thanks for sharing it with us on the Homestead Blog Hop!
Your mantle looks amazing. Thanks for the decorating tips: I’m definitely going to try them out.
Some great advice here! Our mantle place has been looking decidedly bare since we moved to our new house – my sister-in-law is painting us a canvas to be our “anchor piece” but, as it’s not finished yet, it really does make the room look bare, even with everything else in place #sharingthebloglove
Your mantel is very well done and your clock anchor piece is gorgeous. Love how you put this together. Pinning and thanks for the inspiration.
I love the idea of changing your mantel to suit the seasons, such a simple and effect thing to do. It looks beautiful and I’m not wishing I had a mantelpiece. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
oh I love this and such great tips. I like things that are easy to do and cheap. I like things that are faff free! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time!
Beautiful. I would love to have a fireplace because it’s always a great starting point to decorate for any season. Thank you for sharing your tips and inspiration at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
The clock is amazing! Totally pinning it.
Decorating always causes stress for me, so I appreciated your great tips.
Oh just Wow! What an awesome looking mantelpiece. You’ve done a fab job Lindsey! I love doing things like this. We are moving home shortly and was so glad to have another large fireplace to decorate for Christmas 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing with #MMBC. Hope to see you next week x
Your mantel looks lovely! Thank you for the great tips on how to decorating a mantel.
Thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Great tips for creating a beautiful vignette with a bonus coffee recipe to boot! Thanks for sharing your project at #fridaysfurniturefix Lindsey always a pleasure!
You have such beautiful taste. Thank you for the tips x #SharingtheBlogLove
So pretty! Love how you decorated it. & yeah for coffee <3 Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared
Hi Lindsey! This is awesome. Thank you for sharing. You are so talented. I have learned from what you be shared. Your neighbor at the Grace at Home link Up
Beautiful mantel Lindsey. Thanks for linking up at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’ve pinned!!
Gorgeous. I live in a new build house with no mantel :/ #kcacols
Great ideas and easy tips! Love your Fall Mantle! This post will be Featured at the new Merry Monday party this week! So glad you share with us!
Thank you sorry it for the tips, I really needed to see this as my mantel is looking so bare. #sharingthebloglovr
Beautiful mantle, Lindsay! Love your blessed mug too! Featuring you at our party tonight! xo
Thank you Kendra!! This makes my night.
I’m a sucker for big clocks over mantles so your vignette is perfect as far as I’m concerned!
Your mantelpiece looks so pretty! I’m totally envious as I don’t have a great eye for interior design but we’re now getting to the point with our house that we need to refine it a little 😉 Thanks for linking up to #dreamteam x
Your mantel looks fabulous – unfortunately mine is only home to various LEGO creations that my sons don’t want to get broken! #SharingTheBlogLove
Beautiful fall mantel! Thanks for sharing the tips!
Oh wow that is so beautiful! #KCACOLS
So gorgeous! I’d love to have a mantle 🙁
#KCACOLS
This is beautiful. i have only recently had a mantle installed so I’m still experimenting. So far it is just candle ornaments. I do have a xmas tree one ready for my decorations ot go up! #kcacols
I love it! It’s really beautiful. I would love to have such a pretty mantel. Thanks for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
Some great tips here. I didn’t know about having varying levels in height. Your mantel looks great! #KCACOLS
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back
in the future. All the best
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words.
Great tips for such a pretty Mantel. I love where you added the wood!
Maria
Awesome! Its really amazing article, I have got much clear idea on the topic of from this article.
Hi, these are some exciting and beautiful tips. I have a Tv set above my mantel so can you suggest some good tips regarding this situation. Would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance.
Hi there. If you look at this post you can see how I decorated around our TV. https://repurposeandupcycle.com/useful-ways-to-repurpose-a-wooden-crate/
I would suggest adding something above the tv and then something around it to take the focus off of the “big black box.” Most of all, try a few things and have fun with it!
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Hi Lindsey,
Just wanted to stop by and let you know that this post was featured in the Create, Bake, Grow & Gather link party Fall Feature magazine at https://issuu.com/shabbyartboutique/docs/create__bake__grow___gather_party_f
I thank you for your contributions to the party.
Hugs, Kerryanne