23 Ways to Decorate Your Mantel for Winter

By
Deirdre Sullivan
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Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

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Updated on 12/29/20
winter mantel decorations

 The Happy Housie

Creating a beautiful winter mantel display doesn't have to be limited to holiday decor. You can enjoy a well-designed mantel all season long. There are virtually endless design options regardless of your home decor style that combine colors, textures, and natural elements to reflect the winter season.

Here are 23 winter mantel decorating ideas to inspire you.

  • 01 of 23

    Cozy Winter Mantel

    cotton stems on a mantel decorated for winter

    Sand & Sisal

    Creating a cozy winter mantel like this one by Kim at Sand & Sisal is a cinch if you stick to wintry colors and natural materials. The blogger held to a palette of creamy whites, icy blues, and woodsy brown tones. Natural elements, including fuzzy cotton stems and scraggy pine cones, infuse visual interest and warmth. And the coordinating mirror perfectly balances the arrangement centered above it all.

    Cozy Winter Mantel from Sand & Sisal

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  • 02 of 23

    DIY Wood Styling Beads

    wood beads on a winter mantel
    Inspired by Charm

    Sometimes the simplest ideas are also the best. This wood bead garland project by Michael at Inspired by Charm is an easy way to dress up a winter mantel with splashes of colors and texture. You can buy oversized wood beads at most craft stores. Before stringing them, paint some or all of the beads in any colors you want. Winter whites and blues are great options to evoke the season in your design.

    DIY Wood Styling Beads from Inspired by Charm

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  • 03 of 23

    Candles and Nature

    vintage bird art above a winter mantel

    Town & Country Living

    Spring doesn't have to feel like a distant memory over the winter, thanks to these nature-inspired decorating ideas from Jennifer at Town & Country Living. A deep blue candle holder was the inspiration behind her styled mantel. The blogger says its color reminds her of the winter sky. She hung a retro bird chart to anchor the arrangement. A couple of grapevine wreaths pop off the tin tiles behind the poster. And the finishing embellishments include decorative glass vials, springlike greenery, and a birch bark planter with faux flowers.

    Candles and Nature from Town & Country Living

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  • 04 of 23

    Winter Wreath

    winter wreath above a mantel
    A Purdy Little House

    The focal point for this winter mantel display by Sue at A Purdy Little House is a DIY wreath. The blogger made the wreath using craft supplies she had lying around. Birch branches, pine cones, and faux evergreens are additional elements that pour on the natural seasonal charm. And the book spines were turned inward to create a more uniform look.

    Winter Wreath from A Purdy Little House

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  • 05 of 23

    After-Christmas Winter Mantel

    white winter mantel

    Bless'er House

    Don't let the winter blues take over your living room. A mood-lifting mantel like this one by Lauren at Bless'er House will help you shake off that seasonal funk. The blogger says there's a fine line between Christmas and winter decor, so it's OK if your seasonal display borrows items from your holiday storage bins. Here she used yuletide pieces, including garland and decorative trees, to spruce up her mantel. To keep the arrangement from feeling too Christmassy, she didn't use red.

    After-Christmas Winter Mantel from Bless'er House

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  • 06 of 23

    Winter Mantel Decor

    candles and art on a winter mantel

    Lily Pad Cottage

    Create a warm and cozy winter mantel like this one by Kelly at Lily Pad Cottage using simple pieces. The candles establish the warmth of the design. And their uniform whites and creams keep the look from becoming too busy. Plus, the sign featuring a lovely quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a homey accent.

    Winter Mantel Decor from Lily Pad Cottage

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  • 07 of 23

    Vintage Winter Mantel

    succulents on a mantel
    Kelly Elko

    An old red encyclopedia set discarded by a neighbor kicked off this winter mantel by Kelly Elko. For whimsy, she added her favorite decorative creatures, including a squirrel nutcracker. The faux succulents peeking out from the pages came next for even more whimsy, color, and texture. And the vintage chalkboard nicely frames the entire display.

    Vintage Winter Mantel from Kelly Elko

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  • 08 of 23

    Rustic Winter Mantel

    rustic country winter mantel
    Liz Marie Blog

    You don't need a built-in mantel to create a vintage-inspired vignette as shown in this design by Liz Marie Blog. This rustic mantel is an antique propped up against the wall. The two old trunks came next. Then, she placed a typewriter and several more vintage finds on top. The wintry touches held over from Christmas include a wreath and garland.

    Rustic Winter Mantel from Liz Marie Blog

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  • 09 of 23

    Cozy Pom Pom Garland

    pom pom garland on a mantel
    Paint Yourself a Smile

    Dress up your bare mantel with faux greenery and pom-pom garland. This decorating DIY by Jenny at Paint Yourself a Smile uses faux lamb's ear, multihued pine cones, and chunky white yarn. To make your dazzling display even more glamorous, the blogger suggests adding battery-operated string lights.

    Cozy Pom Pom Garland from Paint Yourself a Smile

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  • 10 of 23

    Simple Rustic Winter Mantel

    rustic winter mantel with trees
    The Happy Housie

    Decorating around a TV can be tricky. Luckily this winter mantel by Krista at The Happy Housie features a few tips that make it a snap. Instead of hiding her TV, she decorated around it. In between the two faux evergreens that frame the TV is a collection of small bottle brush trees that don't block the screen. The blogger also sprinkled on some modern farmhouse style using faux white antlers, pine cone garland, and a bundle of birch logs.

    Simple Rustic Winter Mantel from The Happy Housie

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  • 11 of 23

    Neutral Winter Mantel

    neutral winter mantel

    A Pretty Life

    Celebrate the season with a cheerful winter mantel like this one by Jo-Anna at A Pretty Life. The blogger says she shopped around her home for all the decor. Two vintage window frames in a wintry white anchor the display. The faux trees and snowflake accents were held over from Christmas. And the glass candle holders and pine cone garland both inject contrasting colors and textures. 

    Neutral Winter Mantel from A Pretty Life

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  • 12 of 23

    Simple Winter Mantel

    French country winter mantel
    French Country Cottage

    Here's an idea by Courtney at French Country Cottage that reuses leftover Christmas garland. The simple decoration initially made of freshly cut greenery dried out nicely over the holidays, so she used it to spruce up her winter mantel. For extra color and texture, the blogger layered on dried peonies and evergreen branches. To complete her display's French country look, she added several LED candles.

    Simple Winter Mantel from French Country Cottage

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  • 13 of 23

    Winter Fireplace Mantel and Hearth

    elegant winter mantel

    Worthing Court

    A serene mantel like this display by Suzy at Worthing Court might be the cure for harsh winter weather outside. The woods around her home inspired her winter arrangement that features bare branches, natural greenery, and large pine cones. For a cohesive look, she used complementary materials on both the fireplace mantel and the hearth.

    Winter Fireplace Mantel and Hearth from Worthing Court

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  • 14 of 23

    Farmhouse Winter Mantel

    farmhouse winter mantel
    The Cozy Old Farmhouse

    Don't have a fireplace? All you need is a mantel shelf to create a wintry vignette as shown by Stephanie at The Cozy Old Farmhouse. Besides the natural greenery, most of the pieces, including the folding yardstick, are found treasures picked up for cheap at local yard sales. Decorate with whatever treasures you like, but aim to mix cool tones with natural woods like this mantel did to represent the winter season.

    Farmhouse Winter Mantel from The Cozy Old Farmhouse

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  • 15 of 23

    Cozy Contemporary Winter Mantel

    cozy contemporary winter mantel
    Taryn Whiteaker

    When decorating a dark mantel, it's important to incorporate items that will pop. For instance, this winter scape by Taryn Whiteaker features decorative pieces in soft, contrasting colors. The white garland can't be missed against the dark backdrop. Even better, it's easy to make with just cotton balls and embroidery floss.

    Cozy Contemporary Winter Mantel from Taryn Whiteaker

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  • 16 of 23

    Late Winter Mantel Refresh

    late winter mantel

    Love & Renovations

    If you're feeling a little antsy for spring, refresh your mantel with beautiful blooms. This late winter mantel by Amanda at Love & Renovations got a room-brightening lift from grocery store flowers. To customize her floral arrangement, the blogger combined buds and sprigs from different bouquets. And in spite of the fresh flowers, the winter whites and the pinecones still evoke the winter season.

    Late Winter Mantel Refresh from Love & Renovations

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  • 17 of 23

    Winter Mantel on a Snowy Day

    brick winter mantel

    Elizabeth and Co.

    This wintry mantel by Elizabeth and Co. celebrates the season with handmade decorations. A ruffled wreath made of sheet music turns a brick wall into a focal point. Gold painted frames add a little glitz, and they nicely play off the silver vases and painted pinecones. Combining metallic elements like these represents the coolness of winter, yet the warm red brick keeps things from getting too icy.

    Winter Mantel on a Snowy Day from Elizabeth and Co.

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  • 18 of 23

    Disco Ball Mantel

    Modern winter mantel with a disco ball
    Setting for Four

    Winter metallics can come in many shapes and sizes, including disco balls. This example by Heather at Setting for Four features mini disco balls and a large mirror that mimics the form of a disco ball. Even more metallic accents, including the candle holders and painted branches, add extra sparkle. And the pine cones and greenery incorporate warmth and texture.

    Disco Ball Mantel from Setting for Four

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  • 19 of 23

    Vintage Winter Mantel Decor

    vintage winter mantel
    2 Bees in a Pod

    Silver platters and vintage trophies are just a few of the interesting pieces that dress up this winter mantel by Vicki at 2 Bees in a Pod. Fresh moss brings dashes of color and texture. And the rustic wreath that centers the design was easy to make by simply affixing puffs of natural cotton to a grapevine wreath.

    Vintage Winter Mantel Decor from 2 Bees in a Pod

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  • 20 of 23

    Winter Yarn Pom Pom Wreath

    winter pom pom wreath over a mantel
    A Cultivated Nest

    Reclaimed wood and a DIY yarn wreath cover up an old TV mount over this mantel decorated by Manuela at A Cultivated Nest. The entire project, including the lumber, cost less than $30. The wreath almost looks like it's made of snowballs, thanks to its yarn pom-poms. And the "winter" banner really drives home the theme.

    Winter Yarn Pom Pom Wreath from A Cultivated Nest

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  • 21 of 23

    Rustic Mantel

    snowshoe winter mantel decor
    A Wonderful Thought

    Because winter landscape isn't very colorful, this mantel by Kimberly at A Wonderful Thought sticks to neutral shades. A pallet wood chalkboard sits front and center with a winter-themed message. And the snowshoes are a fun seasonal accent. Plus, the banner is a DIY decoration from the blogger's Christmas collection that still works for the rest of the season.

    Rustic Mantel from A Wonderful Thought

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  • 22 of 23

    Simple Winter Mantel

    simple ski-inspired winter mantel

    White Cottage

    This ski-inspired mantel by Amy at White Cottage is loaded with rustic and homey accents. A cute "snow" banner and mini snow skis set the theme. For color, she added faux evergreens. And a mirror and rustic window frame anchor the arrangement. 

    Simple Winter Mantel from White Cottage

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  • 23 of 23

    Snowy Winter Mantel

    let it snow winter mantel
    Adventures in Decorating

    What's more fitting for the season than a winter mantel dedicated to snow? This display by Becca at Adventures in Decorating celebrates winter weather with a seasonal "let it snow" banner. The two evergreens flanking the design can function both as Christmas and general winter decor. And the neutral metallics play up the icy theme.

    Snowy Winter Mantel from Adventures in Decorating