Knowing what an important part of your home the fireplace represents at the holidays, we have a few Christmas mantel decorating ideas to help you create your finest holiday decor display.
Make it multi-dimensional
Texture is the key to a well-balanced design. Mix and match smooth pieces—think glass vases, hurricanes or ornaments—with organic elements such as cinnamon-scented pine cones. Adding a strand of garland is a nice way to create visual interest on your Christmas mantel.
Take it to new heights
Bookend the mantel with tall candlesticks to give it symmetry, and mix shorter elements with loftier pieces for a more dynamic display. Add a framed holiday print in the background and place a miniature Christmas tree to add playfulness and visual interest.
Reflect back its beauty
Hanging a mirror above the fireplace has striking effects. It creates the illusion of depth, acts as a unifying centerpiece and makes the entire room feel larger. It also beautifully reflects the excitement that will spread across the kids’ faces on Christmas morning.
Create a stunning color palette
Choose your hues wisely, as they are the foundation for your holiday display. For classy simplicity, consider mixing deep greens and earthy browns with cream accents. Prefer an elegant aesthetic? Mingle white, gold and silver together. You can never go wrong with a more traditional fireplace display full of timeless reds and greens.
Breathe some life into it
A hint of foliage breathes movement and life into the narrow platform. Anchoring the ends with miniature red poinsettias is a surefire way to spruce up your mantel for Christmas. Consider displaying boughs of real evergreens and other seasonal botanicals in a favorite vase or adorning miniature pine trees with bright red ornaments for a pop of color.
Cut back on clutter
Between the presents, stockings, cookies and twinkle lights, your home already looks far more ornate than usual. Whether classic and elegant or fun and whimsical, keeping the mantel decor simple draws your eye to the specially chosen elements displayed atop your fireplace. Trim the clutter—not just the tree.
Light up your evenings
Mantels are the perfect place to display a variety of holiday candles, such as votives, lanterns and tealights. Mix sizes, colors and shapes to create a lively visual effect. For an even brighter look, wrap a string light around a garland. To accentuate the lights, add unique bits and baubles to your display, including metallic reindeer or glittering ornaments.
Nutcrackers Galore
If you collect nutcrackers, arrange them on your mantel as a timeless holiday touch. Place them according to size, either largest on the outside and smallest in the center, or vice versa to create symmetry. Wind evergreen boughs across their feet, and embellish the greenery with a few red ribbons, bows or ornaments.
There’s one final step in your design endeavor:
Just before you open up your home to friends and family, go ahead and put your feet up on the ottoman, sip some eggnog and enjoy the view of your holiday mantel.
How do you set the scene for the holidays? Share your favorite Christmas mantel decorating ideas with us using the hashtag #CrateStyle.
