18 Stylish Mantel Ideas for Your Decorating Inspiration

If you only style your mantel for special occasions or holidays, listen up. When it comes to home decorating, it just may be the one space in your home where you can get mighty creative no matter your budget. In fact, there are endless, fun ways you can get the task done. So why not seize the opportunity to freshen your mantel on a regular basis with a curated selection of items or even a single statement-making object that flaunts your unique taste? To help you tap your creative side, we have pulled together some of the most inspirational mantel displays that we could find. We are sure that by the time you get to the end, you will agree that we have only scratched the surface.

01 of 18

Tips for Creating a Visually Interesting Traditional Mantel Scape

Elegant Simplicity

There are many different approaches to mantel decorating. One simple and easy formula is to always begin with a focal point above the mantel. Here Sherri Monte, one of the interior designers behind Elegant Simplicity, sets the tone in this traditional living room with a painting in a dark frame with intricate brass detail. Then she added a few more layers of decor for visual interest. The trick is to incorporate items of different heights and textures for pizzaz. Here Monte strikes a pitch-perfect balance by placing tall iron candle holders and faux plants at opposite ends of the mantel.

Continue to 2 of 18 below.
02 of 18

Style Your Mantel With Layered Artwork

Elegant Simplicity

The large stone fireplace in this home by interior design firm, Elegant Simplicity, is undoubtedly the focal point of the living room. Two framed pieces of artwork in different heights were used to make the most of the smallish, wood mantel. Note how the different sizes make the set up more pleasing to the eye. The design team also chose to style the hearth with boxes, faux greenery, and battery-powered candles for ambiance.

Continue to 3 of 18 below.
03 of 18

Natural Wood Accents and Pretty Greenery

Coco & Jack

Greenery can really liven up a mantel. In this beautiful and modern space by interior design company Coco & Jack, a round mirror anchors the display. Natural wood accents combined with a small jade plant and decorative leaves offset the cast limestone fireplace.

Continue to 4 of 18 below.
04 of 18

Stick to a Color Scheme When Decorating

Emily Henderson

This white mantel was a blank canvas begging for color. Emily Henderson stepped things up with a four-step plan. First, she grounded the mantel scape with a vintage map. It also established the display's color scheme. The latter is super important because it will make any vignette or room feel pulled together instead of disjointed. Next, she started adding whimsical accessories. Her rule of thumb is to establish a hierarchy of spaces set at different levels. Doing so allows the eye to move across the finished scape, which keeps things from feeling overly style or cluttered. Lastly, adding something organic, like the sprig of ivy pictured, top things off with a pop of natural texture and color.

Continue to 5 of 18 below.
05 of 18

How to Style Your Mantel With Found Items

Kelly Elko

You do not have to drop a bundle at a store like Home Goods to create a stylish mantel scape. Decor blogger Kelly Elko created this dazzlingly display with found items, including a set of old red encyclopedias rescued from a neighbor's trash. The old blackboard was plucked from her attic. The books were spruced up using faux succulents. The collection of metal animals were picked up for cheap at a local thrift store.

Continue to 6 of 18 below.
06 of 18

Consider a Non-Floral Arrangement for Your Mantel

Havenly

Any time of the year is ideal for non-floral arrangements in your home. Here the interior design experts at Havenly placed four dried stems in a creamsicle hued vase. See how the branches lend organic and sculptural texture while uniting the two other nature-inspired elements: the carved wood bird and white antler.

Continue to 7 of 18 below.
07 of 18

How to Decorate a Non-Working Fireplace

Denise McGaha Interiors

A non-working fireplace creates a decorating opportunity in this display designed by Denise McGaha Interiors. A collection of vases dress up both the mantel and firebox. Dried eucalyptus leaves add a pop of aromatic greenery. Take a good look at the black and white print. Its frame matches the gold accents featured on some of the vases.

Continue to 8 of 18 below.
08 of 18

Sizeable Mirror Tops Off a Traditional Mantel

Ann Lowengart

Several crucial elements take this limestone mantel in a home decorated by Ann Lowengart to stylish heights. The blue wall adds colorful contrast while invigorating the space with a vibrant hue. Next, a sizeable mirror creates an irresistible focal point. The other decorative accents on the mantel are in sync with the room's traditional vibe.

Continue to 9 of 18 below.
09 of 18

Midcentury Inspired Mantel in a Bachelor Pad

Donna Dufresne Design

Dark walls combined with a natural wood mantel instantly modernizes this living room in a midcentury bachelor pad by Donna Dufresne Design. A cow skull throws focus to the fireplace. We love repurposing items with a specific purpose as decorative accents. Here two vintage juggling pins seals the deals on the room's masculine vibe.

Continue to 10 of 18 below.
10 of 18

Rustic Mantel Decorated With Locally Found Pieces

Far Above Rubies

Anita, the decor blogger behind Far Above Rubies, decorated this rustic mantel for a client living in a nature preserve. She chose objects that were in sync with the home's outdoor environment. A local artist created the barn painting. The vase holding the seasonal branches is a vintage water pump bucket from a nearby antique mall. A couple of woven baskets and gourd bowls found in the home bring natural color and texture to the display. The finishing touch, which lends a bit of height to the arrangement, is the matching barley twist, candlestick holders.

Continue to 11 of 18 below.
11 of 18

Minimalist Mantel in a Neutral Living Room

Erika Frank Interiors

It makes sense that this neutral, minimalist living room by Erika Frank Interiors would have an uncluttered mantel. But that does not mean it skimps on making a visual statement. Both the fireplace and the brass gong above it pop as robust features. The single white candle adds a touch of hygge.

What Is Minimalist Design?

Continue to 12 of 18 below.
12 of 18

Cool Coastal Mantel Display

Erika Frank Interiors

Give a mantel a cool coastal vibe with these ideas by Erika Frank Interiors. The designer made the most of this unique, L-shaped fireplace with five decorative pieces. A modern painting inspired by ocean views gives the neutral-toned set up a burst of cool colors. The distressed, white bucket is a shabby chic accent that matches the mantel's rustic appearance. The woven tray creates a spot to keep magazines while keeping the coffee table free of paper clutter. An abstract swirl sculpture and glass candlestick holders balance the display.

Continue to 13 of 18 below.
13 of 18

How to Create a Simple Yet Dramatic Mantel

Chango and Company

Create a dramatic mantel with a minimalist aesthetic by layering moody hues. Dark toned pottery and a black mirror produce a striking yet relaxing display in this living room by Chango and Company.

Continue to 14 of 18 below.
14 of 18

How to Decorate a Tile Fireplace

Centsational Style

Decorating around a patterned cement tile fireplace raises a question. How do you avoid making things look too busy? Enter this lovely solution by Kate at Centsational Style. For height, she added two prints in different sizes in crisp white frames. The artwork's tone-on-tone patterns coordinate beautifully with the tile. For a dash of greenery, she placed two faux branches in a milky-white vase.

Continue to 15 of 18 below.
15 of 18

Farmhouse Inspired Mantel With Seaside Flare

Love of Homes

If you love both farmhouse style and beach-inspired decor, prepare to heart this display by Love of Homes. White shiplap, a modern farmhouse favorite, covers the space above the mantel. A graphic clock grabs all eyes. Two lanterns filled with shells give the mantel a welcomed coastal twist.

Continue to 16 of 18 below.
16 of 18

Found Objects Makes a Decorative Statement

Our Storied Home

A collection of found objects establishes both the theme and color scheme for this mantel by the duo who pens Our Storied Home. Glass bottles in watery hues reinforce the beachy keen vibe established by the pebble tile covering the fireplace. Sealing the deal is the large driftwood-inspired mirror.

Continue to 17 of 18 below.
17 of 18

Decorate Your Mantel Using Books

Lynn Kleonidas

Your mantel is the perfect place to show off your favorite book series. Interior designer Lynn Kleonidas, added a couple of vintage bookends to the mix. Making the most of the living room's super high ceiling is the large, gold-framed mirror.

Continue to 18 of 18 below.
18 of 18

How to Decorative Using Scale and Texture

Emily Henderson

Playing with scale and textures can turn an ordinary mantel into an eye-catching centerpiece. Emily Henderson combined an interesting mix of items including natural greenery and manufactured metallics for a balanced look.