The fireplace is the focal point of the living room, and during the holidays, it seems we’re always gathering around it. Since decorating the mantel can feel be intimidating, we thought we’d round up all our favorites from over the years to get those creative holiday juices flowing. Here are 15 of our favorites:
1. Fresh and Green
The mantel above is simple but elegant. Long swags of garland, groupings of fresh magnolia leaves, and tea light candles are really all you need to pull of this look!
2. Small Trees
Tabletop trees are one of our favorite holiday decorating accents because they’re so versatile. Here, a grouping add texture and height to the mantel. To add even more height to some of them, we placed them on top of wrapped gifts.
3. All Aboard the Plaid Train
Plaid is the ultimate holiday pattern, and in a room that’s already so festive, why not add some extra ornamental flair? We added thick greenery on the mantel, red and white glass ornaments, and two trees to turn this mantel into a dramatic focal point.
4. Think in Multiples
Of course not every mantel needs a swag of greenery. This classic mantel looks plenty festive with three wreaths on the mirrors and stockings hung by the chimney with care.
5. Going Coastal
Of course if you’re having a holiday by the water, we love the ideas of bringing watery blues into your holiday decor. This mantel mixes holiday accents like sprigs of greenery, wrapped gifts, and stockings on its mantel.
6. Pine on Point
Before decorating for the holidays, survey your yard to see what you can gather. We used tons of pine cones to dramatic effect on this mantel. Mixed with some potted amaryllis bulbs, it feels elegant and classically Christmas.
7. Joy to the World
Make a statement on your fireplace mantel (literally) by adding some of our typesetter plaques. The gold finish really sparkles when you add twinkling Christmas lights.
8. Garland, Two Ways
There’s no such thing as too much garland on your holiday mantel. For this fireplace, we added a swag from the mantel, and also one lining the top of the mantel. Together they added tons of texture and movement to the fireplace.
9. Candles Galore
At a loss for hoe to make your mantel really shine? Glimmering candle light is a no-fail option. Here, we chose large mercury glass candle sticks and red pillar candles to draw your eye around the fireplace.
10. Holiday Art Pieces
Holiday themed art pieces make your fireplace feel really special. Each year, we have a special edition Santa portrait painted by an artist in France. These prints make the perfect focal point over your holiday mantel.
11. Simple and Elegant
Sometimes less can be more. With some large mercury glass urns and some sprigs of fresh pine, this large fireplace mantel feels festive but not overdone.
12. DIY Garland of ornaments
Don’t overthink it. You may only need some ribbon and a few special ornaments to give your fireplace mantel that festive feel. Above, we used some simple mercury glass votives and hung ornaments from burlap ribbon.
13. Stuffed to the Gills
If you’ve got some great stocking holders, consider making those the focal point of your fireplace mantel. Here, we just added a rope of garland behind the stocking holders and a potted mini tree. The look is simple to put together but still super festive.
14. Fresh Greens
When you really want to turn your fireplace into a focal point, consider adding both twinkling ropes of garland and a big holiday wreath. This classic holiday pairing can do no wrong in our book!
15. Mix It All In
You most likely have your mantel decor set before the holidays, and in many cases, there’s no reason to start from scratch. The books on this mantel live here year round, but when the holidays roll around, simple add a wreath and some candles!
Find more holiday decorating and entertaining ideas, or visit our Pinterest Holiday board.
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