What do you put above a fireplace mantel?
15 Mantel Decor Ideas for Above Your Fireplace. 1 Fireplace Mantel Decor. 2 Mirror. 3 Art. You don’t have to be a fine art connoisseur to feature art you love in your home, and above your mantel is the perfect place to show off your ... 4 Family Photos. 5 Television. More items
What are the best ways to arrange a mantel?
An asymmetrical mantel arrangement feels cheeky and breezy, but it can also be a subtle and smart design strategy. By arranging the mantel's artwork on the left, the eye is naturally drawn to the peppy sofa pillows on the left side of the fireplace. Simple accessories on the other side keep the focus on the mantel's star artwork.
How do I choose the decal above my mantel?
When picking out a decal, consider the size of the wall above your mantel and the width of the fireplace so you choose a design that isn't too small or too large. Here, a black clock detail on a white wall maintains an air of cool sophistication, which is maintained in the mantel’s display of black candlesticks and white candles.
What to do with a mantel in a high ceiling?
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.
How to light up a mantel?
Sconces are a popular way to illuminate your mantel. But if you’ve sprung for a large TV, you may not have room to mount them. Instead, you can frame your fireplace —and light up your mantel—by hanging a pair of pendant lights. Just be sure to keep them streamlined to cut down on clutter. (After all, you don’t want to block your TV!)
How to display two pieces of art on a mantel?
Sometimes, it’s hard to settle on just one piece of art—so display two pieces of art, instead. Layer both on your mantel, with the bigger piece tucked behind the smaller one.
How to make a statement on a fireplace mantel?
When decorating your mantel is the norm, there’s one very easy way to make a statement: leave your mantel bare . By keeping your décor sleek and minimal, you can draw attention to your fireplace—simply by emphasizing the negative space around it.
How to make a fireplace look decorated?
If your fireplace is in a well-lit room, consider using it to propagate plants. Sneak some pretty cuttings inside some small glass vases, and line your mantel with them. These sleek additions should be just striking enough to make your mantel feel decorated. Plus, you’ll end up growing some new plants in the process.
How to put candlesticks on mantel?
When putting candlesticks on your mantel, remember you don’t have to lay things out symmetrically. Instead of clustering some candlesticks on the left and some on the right, consider putting them all on the same side. This striking choice should turn heads without demanding much effort. Plus, you’ll be able to rearrange the candlesticks any time you want to.
How to decorate above fireplace?
If the space above your fireplace is lined with wall molding, consider using this trim as a canvas for décor. Treat the molding like a frame, and hang some art inside it. And if you really want to get creative, you can subvert expectations by hanging the art off-center.
Can you mount a mantel on a fireplace?
Many fireplaces are centered on a given wall, but some aren’t. If yours isn ’t, don ’t be afraid to mount a mantel that stretches from wall to wall rather than sitting just above your fireplace. Top this extra-wide shelf with art, books, and anything else you can think of. It’s bound to turn heads, even if left totally bare.
How to soften a mantel?
Soften the bottom edge – add something long, low and visually soft below the TV on the mantel (assuming it is wall mounted and there is at least a few inches of room). A row of small rocks, a long low candle holder, a row of small vessels with greenery, a long box filled with flowers , a sign with something meaningful painted or a wood cut word or family name.
What is a mantel?
Overall, the mantel is a unique space – it’s sole purpose is decorative. There are so many other places in our homes that need to function well first and foremost, but the mantel is a place just to showcase our style, to create a feeling for the room. Have fun with it!
How to make a TV look cohesive?
Bring in the edges – add some varying height to bring the edges of your display in at the bottom corners, to slightly overlap the lower corners of the tv frame. This will soften the mantel and make the tv look like a cohesive part of the display.
Where should a DVD player go?
Minimize the other components - DVD player, receiver, etc, should go on a cabinet, shelf or table near the fireplace, not on the mantel.
Is it a big deal to style a mantel?
Somehow, styling the mantel feels like a big deal. A showcase of your style and decorating on display. Yes, we want to get it right and when you nail it, it’s perfection and just makes the room sing, but don’t let that slow you down.
How to make a mantel stand out?
Overlap artwork to make your mantel stand out. The key is to make sure the pieces vary in height and width. Here, a colorful map becomes a unifying backdrop while a framed print and painting overlap one another. The hues in the mantel decor are repeated on books carefully arranged by color on the built-in shelves.
How to make a mantel look like a star?
If you're lucky to have a mantel with character, let the mantel be the star by minimizing your accessories. Fill the wall space with a simple mirror and just a few well-placed objects. Decorative accents like glass vases and hurricane candle holders will fade into the background, keeping the emphasis on the mantel itself.
How to decorate a mantel with a mirror?
Use the approach as an elegant mantel decorating idea for instant visual appeal. Start with a pair of wall sconces, one mounted on each side of the fireplace, and place a round mirror in the middle. Use similarly shaped objects on the mantel to maintain the orderly look. Here, tapered, footed vases mimic the shape of the candle sconces on the wall.
How to update a mantel?
For an affordable mantel artwork update, try a decal to add visual interest without the cost of a gallery piece. When picking out a decal, consider the size of the wall above your mantel and the width of the fireplace so you choose a design that isn't too small or too large. Here, a black clock detail on a white wall maintains an air of cool sophistication, which is maintained in the mantel’s display of black candlesticks and white candles. A few well-placed books add subtle dimension, while a vase of yellow flowers provides restrained pop.
How to dress up a cookie cutter fireplace?
Dress up a cookie-cutter fireplace by painting the surrounding wall a strong and striking color. In this living room, a steely midnight blue wall elevates an average white fireplace. When mixed with a gold sunburst mirror, the mantel becomes the center of attention. By adding simple accessories, like candlesticks and matching deer figurines, the mantel feels personalized.
What is a round mirror mantel?
A round mirror provides contrast to the abundance of straight lines throughout the room. The rustic reclaimed-wood mantel is perfect for displaying a few selective accessories. When there isn't much space between the mantel and ceiling, focus on accessorizing with just a few smaller pieces, rather than overwhelming the space with mantel decor.
How to make a fireplace focal point?
To turn an ordinary fireplace into a focal point, paint the wall above the mantel a hue that contrasts with the room's main wall color. Base the color on another element within the room for a cohesive look. Here, the mantel area's blue was matched to the stone on the fireplace surround. 4 of 26. View All.
Why use a mantel as a shelf?
Don’t overlook the mantel. Using the mantel as a shelf is a more relaxed way of featuring an artwork. It also means it’s easier to change your display. Whether you want to rent new art as the season changes or feature your favorite pieces on special occasions, this is the perfect way to keep the space fresh and display your collection hassle-free. (It’s also a great idea if you’re renting and can’t put holes in the walls.)
Why hang art above a fireplace?
Do hang it high. As a general rule, art is hung at eye level to increase impact and visibility. However, art above the fireplace will often break this norm, allowing for a bold, unconventional choice. This statement piece almost clashes with the straight-edged, colorful style of the interior, but since it’s hung up high above a contemporary fireplace, it sets the tone of the room and adds to its character.
How big should a mirror be for a fireplace?
The rule of thumb is that an artwork — or mirror — should be about two thirds the size of the fire surround and mantel over which it hangs, but here that rule has been broken to great effect. But r esist the urge to use a piece that lines up with the edges of the mantel: choosing something that’s either narrower or wider will ensure that your art becomes a feature, not just an extension of the architecture.
Why do you put a mat around a picture?
Tip: Using a mat around a picture can add an air of formality, so it works well when you want your decor to feel classical. Here, the white-on-white effect also helps the coastal room feel airy and modern. A mat can also be used to boost the size of an artwork — useful if you have a very small piece. Turner Pocock.
Do you coordinate with a dark gray stone fireplace?
Do coordinate strategically. This dark gray stone fireplace takes center stage, standing out amid warm neutral furnishings. The temptation might be to hang a dark artwork above to harmonize with the stone, but the painted gray alcoves on either side complement the fireplace enough to leave the white space above the mantel primed for a brighter piece. This painting ties in more with the yellow tiles of the fire surround, while the muted blues are picked up in the accessories.
Can you put artwork above a fireplace?
Do mix and match. An artwork above the fireplace doesn’t have to be the sole focal point, but with some good styling, it can still stand out among other treasured possessions.
How to decorate a 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.
Do you have to drop bundles at Home Goods?
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.
Can you style a mantel for holidays?
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 ...
