How to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel for the Holiday Season
The holiday season is fast-approaching as the year comes to a close! Whether you’re hosting a holiday celebration this year or just want your home to look festive for the season, decorating brings much-needed joy! If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, you not only have the warmth of the fireplace, but also the perfect place to display your holiday decor. Read on for ideas on how to style your fireplace mantel this season!
How to Style a Holiday Mantel
When styling a fireplace, the mantel is the star. However- don’t forget the hearth- the flat area at the bottom of the fireplace. In general, you can use the mantel for displaying décor and the hearth for more practical items to be used. For example, candles and garlands can be easily and safely hung on the mantel, while the hearth is the perfect place to style a basket of throw blankets. It’s obviously important to make sure your décor does not become a fire hazard! Read on for our favorite décor picks!
Wall Hangings
Whether you hang a mirror or artwork, you can style them to feel seasonal. A gold mirror can mix well with Christmas decor, while a silver mirror could mix better with Hannukah decor. Dressing or surrounding your mirrors with twinkle lights/candles is a great trick that creates the illusion that you have more lights than you really do. This adds to the cozy, seasonal ambience! If you don’t want to use a mirror, you can hang seasonal artwork as well. Hanging is the more traditional route, but if you’re in a rental, leaning on the mantel works just as well!
Lighting/Candles
Nothing says cozy like candles and mood lighting! ‘Tis the season for light and warmth- go crazy with candles of varying heights. These days, electric candles are more common as they are a longer-lasting and safer alternative to burning candles. Twinkle lights are also ever-popular and will never go out of style. Both of these lighting options are great investments for your holiday decorations over the years. Candles also look great in a fireplace vs logs!
Garlands/Wreaths
A statement garland really ties in the look of the mantel. This is a larger piece of décor so it can definitely set the tone you’re going for. Traditional garlands and wreaths are made of real or fake pine- however there are so many options out there to suit your style. Think red, white, metallic, or ornament garlands!
Basket/Throws
The hearth can often be neglected but its the perfect place to take advantage of. Often times people sit on the floor to open Christmas gifts- why not have a basket of blankets and throw pillows nearby to make them more comfortable? You can keep it neutral with a whicker basket or find a basket that matches your color theme. A fun way to style a basket is to place the throw blanket at the bottom and let the ends of it cascade over the top. Then, take your throw pillow and place it on top of the blanket so that it peaks out!
Sitting Area
One of the best ways to cozy up your fireplace area is to include a nice little reading chair. This adds to the warm, inviting atmosphere, especially when you pair it with a small side table for books or a cup of tea. Try to keep the chair close to the throw basket if possible- if not, you can always drape a cozy throw blanket over the back of the chair and a fluffy pillow to finish it off.
Once you gather all these items you can light the fire, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and curl up in your reading chair for a cozy time! We hope these tips will help you create the cozy fireplace of your dreams! You will definitely want to repeat this during the holiday seasons for years to come. Happy holidays and happy decorating!