How to Style Your Mantel for Every Season

No matter what time of year you’re decorating your mantel, there are certain guidelines that you should follow to create a cohesive and stylish display.

• Create an anchor: As you decorate a mantel, you’ll generally want to start by placing one large piece of decor in the center. Common choices include a decorative mirror, piece of wall art, an oversized clock, or other eye-catching wall decor. You’ll want to select something that matches the overall style of the room—for instance, a large rustic clock would work well in a farmhouse-style space—and you can choose to either rest the piece on the mantel ledge or mount it to the wall.
• Include decorations of varying heights: Once you’ve selected an anchor piece, it’s time to add other decorations to fill up the mantel. There are a wide variety of items you can use, including family photos, live or faux plants, vases, candles, books and other decorative objects. As you put together your design, incorporate items of different heights and sizes to create visual interest. Many people like to put taller items in the center of the mantel and shorter objects on each side, creating a trianglular effect that’s pleasing to the eye, but you can experiment with different arrangements to find what works best in your home.
• Find your balance: As you play around with different options for your mantel, try creating a symmetrical design with matching (or visually similar) decorations on each side. Many people naturally gravitate toward symmetry in their decor, as it creates a balanced feeling. However, if you have a more eclectic home, you might prefer an unbalanced or asymmetrical design with large items on one side and small decorations on the other.

An arrangement of colorful blooms is a great way to brighten up your living space and make your home feel cheery in the spring. You can opt for real or artificial flowers, depending on your preference. Arrange your blooms in decorative vases, and display them on either side of the mantel for a balanced design.

• Add depth with a floral wreath: Another popular option for seasonal decor is to use a decorative wreath on your mantel—in the spring, it can be a pretty floral design, and you can swap it out as the seasons change. To display your wreath, you can either rest it on the ledge or hang it on the wall above your fireplace. Some people even layer wreaths on top of a mirror for an eye-catching design.
• Celebrate spring holidays: Seasonal holidays also offer the perfect opportunity to refresh your mantel decor and make your home feel festive. In the spring, you can use a Valentine’s Day or Easter theme to switch up your design for a few weeks, decorating with heart garlands, cute bunnies, and more.

The summer is arguably the trickiest season to decorate for, as there aren’t many major holidays, but two popular mantel themes during the warmer months are beachy or patriotic decor.

• Create a coastal vibe: A beach-inspired display will turn your living space into a calming oasis during the summer. Start with an ocean-themed piece of artwork, then incorporate decorations with subtle blue or green tones. You can use driftwood decor, seashells, anchors, and other beachy items to fill out your display, and the end result will make you feel like you’re sitting by the ocean all summer long.
• Go all out for the 4th: The biggest holiday of the summer is the Fourth of July, and it’s the perfect time to give your mantel a patriotic makeover. Anchor your display with a red, white and blue wall sign or wreath, then surround it with all types of festive knick knacks that celebrate our beautiful country.

There’s no shortage of fall mantel ideas, all of which can help make your home feel cozier. Try using decor in warm tones like brown and orange, and incorporate lots of seasonal objects like pumpkins, gourds, pampas grass and leaf garlands. An autumn wreath is another way to add warmth and color into your living space.

• Go spooky for Halloween: Once October rolls around, there are ample Halloween decorations you can put on your mantel for a fun and festive aesthetic. Try draping a gauze cloth over it or hanging a pumpkin garland, and don’t forget to display the Jack-o’-lanterns that your family carves!
• Give thanks in November: If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, you can get everyone in the holiday spirit with vibrant harvest decor. Put autumn arrangements on either side of your mantel, or have a little harvest gnome sitting on the edge. This is also a great opportunity to put your favorite pumpkin-scented candles on display.

During the winter, you can decorate your mantel with lush evergreen branches, and if you cut them from your own yard, they’ll give your home a wonderful smell. You can also work in red berries or “frosted” greenery for a vibrant seasonal design.

• Incorporate string lights: edges, hanging string lights or even string a holiday banner across the front to make your mantel will really pop. However, when hanging decorations off your mantel, it’s important to secure them properly, and keep them out of reach of children and pets. You shouldn’t hang items off your mantel if you plan to use the fireplace below, as this can become a hazard.
• Get in the holiday spirit: Of course, you can’t forget Christmas mantel ideas! If you want to keep it classic, consider using traditional Christmas decorations such as evergreen garlands, holiday stockings, candles and your favorite ornaments. Adorable snowmen and other Christmas figurines would make a cute additions as well.