“Fall Mantel Decor Ideas to Warm Up Your Living Room” is a collaborative post.
If you’re one of thousands of Americans who eagerly await the turn of the season just to decorate the home, you’ve landed on the right blog.
As pumpkin spice takes over everything from lattes to laundry detergent (yes, it exists), it’s time for your home to feel the season, too.
Since you’re probably not here by accident, you know what you’re looking for – ideas to help your mantel decor become a focal point this fall.
The mantel is the crown jewel of your living room and it deserves your attention as much as other parts of your home. So, let’s talk fall mantel decor ideas below!
What is the Best Fall Decoration for a Fireplace?
Unfortunately (or fortunately), there is no best decoration.
As we say there are different strokes for different folks, what’s best for you may not be best for someone else.
Taste and decor are subjective, so it’s not productive to measure decorations against each other because we’re always biased in some way.
Still, for fall, decorators normally recommend a combination of texture, warmth, and a bit of fall colour. Layering, small items, and scents are also features you can’t go wrong with.
But what are the unmissable additions to fall mantel decor?
Key Elements to Include in Fall Mantel Decor
While there’s no right way to decorate for fall, we’d be remiss to neglect to mention the quintessential five elements, a concept we totally came up with but would help you nonetheless.
Here are 5 key elements every fall-decorated mantel can shine with:
Pumpkins and Gourds
Are you surprised that this is the first item on our list? Didn’t think so.
You won’t complete your mantel without the classic symbol of fall – pumpkins and gourds. It doesn’t matter whether you get real, faux, or a mix of both, the important thing is to bring the harvest season into your home.
If your interior allows, try using white or metallic pumpkins alongside the traditional orange ones. Mix in gourds of different shapes and textures that can break up the arrangement. Position them at varying heights to get a more dynamic display.
Candles
When those dark fall nights descend, don’t push them away with bright, overhead lights. Instead, use tall, slender candles you already have (bonus if there’s solidified dripping wax at the top) or small ones in decorative holders with designs you like.
You can even use both, as varying the heights of the candles will add to the display and break up any lingering monotony.
If you want to avoid open flames for any reason, you can get a similar outcome with flameless candles. The point is to include a flickering glow that casts playful shadows in the room in the evenings.
Garlands
If you want a decor element that stretches from one end of your mantel to the other, look no further than garlands. Now, we’re not talking about the ones made for the holidays, they’ve got their own time and place. We recommend garlands tied to the current season, like those made with dried leaves and twigs and adorned with pinecones and berries.
For those not in the mood for DIY, you can get artificial garlands with trailing vines in various colours to drape across the mantel and spill over the edges. Another benefit of this is that these garlands will be reusable year after year while remaining unchanged.
Artwork
Since mantels are usually narrow, very few people pack artwork on top of them. But that’s a giant missed opportunity. Artwork is a great way to personalise your mantel and provide a visual focal point without much effort.
You don’t have to manoeuvre ways to hang your art above your fireplace. Instead, just lean it against the wall and prop up other decorations to complement it. But if you’re okay with permanent changes, hanging paintings above your mantel is still a fantastic idea. You can go with seasonal prints or existing artwork incorporating the primary fall colours.
Large artwork will be the anchor of your decor. On the other hand, smaller frames can be separate parts of a larger, layered display. Both work well, so it’s up to you to choose.
Natural Elements
Lastly, supplement your fall decor with elements plucked from nature itself. What will capture the season better than twigs, branches, or dried wheat – the most common fall sights?
While it’s important to craft decor that’s conducive to the design of your indoor space, it makes all the more sense to also include an earthy look to your mantel.
For example, place your foraged twigs or branches in simple vases or lay them along the mantel to mimic the changing landscape outside. Don’t throw them together without any forethought, though. Spend time tweaking and arranging, and don’t skip over additional accessories like live flowers.
Quick Mantel Styling Tips
Now that you know the foundational elements that should be on your mantel this fall, go over some of our favourite tips for quick mantel styling:
- Start with a base: In most cases, you’ll need a big, solid base like a mirror, artwork, or even a clock. This will be your anchor and the element that draws the most attention.
- Layer elements: Place several items of varying heights around your base. It doesn’t have to be identical, but you shouldn’t overwhelm your mantel with a flurry of knickknacks.
- Mind the colour palette: Pick a colour palette and stick to it. Choose fall hues – like deep oranges, warm browns, and muted greens – and work within that range. Don’t add too many contrasting colours.
- Rotate elements: You don’t have to stick with the same elements for all fall months. Swap out a few pieces here and there to keep things interesting, but don’t overhaul your entire display.
- Personalise: Add family photos or heirlooms to make your mantel an extension of your personality and home. Don’t make it look like a 100% store-bought setup.
Final thoughts
If you’re ready to gather your favourite fall treasures, release the reigns on your creativity, and get into the process of creating an impactful fall mantel, we hope these tips can help.
If there are ideas you think we should’ve included, drop a comment and share your thoughts. And if you’ve got a mantel already decorated for fall, don’t hesitate to share it with us!
