Dressing up a plain mantel can be a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to your living space. To achieve a polished, finished look, here are a few suggestions:
1. Hang art – hang a single piece of artwork at the center of the mantel or hang two symmetrical pieces on either side for balance.
2. Mirrors – mirrors reflect light and add depth to a room. Opt for an ornate antique style mirror for an elegant look.
3. Accessorize – add small sculptures, photographs, books, plants, and other objects of personal significance. You can group items together or display them separately.
4. Candles – scatter candles on the mantel, or place them in candelabras. Candles add a welcoming ambiance while also creating a beautiful display.
5. Color – add small pops of color by displaying vases filled with fresh flowers. Or, add a pop of color with a brightly colored vase, lamp, or wall art.
A plain mantel has the potential to be a stunning focal point in any living space. With a few simple touches, you can turn a plain mantel into a show-stopping piece.
What looks nice on a mantel?
The mantel is a great place to add a touch of beauty to the home while making a bold statement. A large-scale piece of art or a portrait of your family is a great place to start with your mantel. Another traditional item is a decorative mirror framed in a unique way to add depth and texture to the wall.
Candles and candleholders of different shapes and sizes can also add an interesting and inviting look to your mantel. Combining different heights of these items will also create a visually appealing look.
For a more personalized approach, you can add books and framed photographs. An interesting centerpiece, like a terrarium filled with succulents or a colorful floral arrangement, can also bring a unique style to your mantel.
Lastly, for a comfortable, cozy feeling, consider layering blankets and throws in various colors and textures. This will create a nice visual contrast, while also providing a spot to lounge on a cold winter day.
How do I decorate my mantel like Joanna Gaines?
If you’re trying to replicate Joanna Gaines’ style on your mantel, start by opting for simple and natural elements, like lightly-colored woods or rustic metal pieces. Use a mixture of sizes and textures, from various shaped frames and cozy, knitted pieces to potted plants or antiques.
Incorporate traditional elements, such as a clock or a single vase of flowers.
One of Gaines’ favorite methods is to layer artwork, such as framed family photos or vintage artwork, to create a distinct look. A great focal point for the mantel is a large mirror, which can help open up the space and draw the eye up to the walls.
You can gain similar results using lanterns with earthen tones, which can be paired with rustic accents of candles or family photos. Accessories such as books, stones, flowers, and brass pieces are also ideas to consider.
To give the mantel a polished look, tidy up the area with books and vases, and add an area rug under the mantel. Opt for neutral colors and soft blues, greens, and whites, as these colors will create a welcoming atmosphere.
Keep the colors in the same tones and avoid introducing bright colors, which can throw off the overall look. Finally, if you want to add some warmth, place an area-specific lamp or two on the mantel—or hang one from the ceiling for an even more exciting look.
What do you put on vases of mantle?
When it comes to adorning your mantle with vases, the possibilities are truly endless! Whether you decide to incorporate fresh flowers, dried flowers, greenery, branches, fruit, or any other display, there is no right or wrong answer.
Here are some ideas to help inspire your next mantle vase display:
If you’re a fan of fresh flowers, you can choose from a variety of different flowers and colors to match the theme of the room. This is a great way to add a pop of color to your home. To add texture and interest, you can try combining different types and sizes of vases with different flowers.
Dried flowers are a popular choice for many people, as they last for a long time and can also add a nice touch to the mantle. You can combine multiple stems or a single stem inside a single vase to create a unique display.
You can also mix and match dried flowers with other materials such as straw, corn husks, or waxed foliage.
Greenery and branches are also a great choice for mantle vases. This adds a more rustic, natural look to the space and can be easily combined with other display pieces. For example, you can use wood or driftwood branches with white flowers or succulents in vases to create a beautiful combination.
If you’re looking for something that is a little more bold, try incorporating vases of branches, leaves, and even fruit or vegetables into your mantle display. For example, you can make use of mangoes, lemons, apples, and other fun shapes to decorate the mantle.
Just be sure to use food-safe vases if you plan on keeping this as a permanent decorations.
No matter what type of vases and decorations you decide to use, you’ll be sure to create a beautiful mantle display that adds a touch of personality and style to your home.
How many items should be on a fireplace mantel?
The number of items that should be on a fireplace mantel will depend on your personal preference, but as a general rule a clean, simple mantel often looks the best. That being said, some people prefer to add more decorations or accents to their mantel, and there is nothing wrong with that.
A good practice is to start with the basics, such as a mirror and a mantel clock, then add other decorative elements around those main items. Accents such as vases, candles, figurines, and books can be added, as long as everything looks organized and not too crowded.
Remember that less is often more, and make sure to balance each side of the mantel so it looks complete.
How big should a picture be above a fireplace?
The size of a picture you hang above a fireplace depends on various factors, including the size of the fireplace, the amount of wall space available, and the desired look of the room. If the wall that the fireplace is on is wide enough, you can opt to install multiple pieces of artwork, such as a gallery wall arrangement.
When choosing a single piece of art, consider the size of the fireplace. If the fireplace is small, it is best to stick with smaller artwork, such as one that is approximately 16″ x 20″. On the other hand, if the fireplace is the center of attention in the room, a larger piece of artwork will help it stand out and create a bolder statement.
Generally, for a large fireplace, artwork that is 28″ x 36″ or larger works best.
Finally, when hanging artwork above a fireplace, the artwork should be hung at eye-level, which is typically about 5 feet from the floor. This ensures that the artwork serves as the focal point in the room and adds to the decor.
What are the four ways to style a mantle?
There are four common ways to style a mantle:
1. Personal Display – This is possibly the most popular style of mantle and involves placing personal items such as family photographs, artwork, candles and other decorative items on the mantle. The items should be arranged to look like a cohesive and completed design and can tie into the color scheme of the room.
2. Natural Touches – This style involves using pieces from nature such as small plants, branches, leaves and twigs to decorate the mantle and connect the indoors to the outdoors. This can also involve hiding small candles among the natural foliage to give off a soft glow or hanging fairy lights or garland to run along the top of the mantle.
3. Minimalism – This style emphasizes only one or two decoration pieces and is a great option if the mantle will be the center of the room. You could choose one unique piece, like a statement vase or mirror, and use a patterned runner or stone to surround it.
4. Classic Style – This is typically a more traditional style of mantle and involves displaying a clock, bookends and some other knickknacks. This is especially popular if you’re going for a more rustic and antique look and you can easily mix vintage pieces with new ones for this style.
How does Joanna Gaines decorate a mantel?
When decorating a mantel, Joanna Gaines typically likes to create a mix of beauty and function. She often begins by talking to the homeowner to determine their personal style and desired function. Once she’s determined the purpose and style, she’ll select items that reflect the style while also fitting well within the room’s aesthetic.
After putting together a collection of beautiful items she’ll arrange them around the mantel with a mixture of art, plants, vases, books, and anything else that fits within the desired style.
Joanna pays particular attention to the color and texture of the items. She’ll often use large items to draw the eye and make a statement, and then fill in the empty spaces with smaller items to provide interest.
She often uses mirrors to expand the perceived space and create a sense of grandeur. She also likes to layer items on top of the mantel to further draw the eye. Candles, lamps, and plants are all popular choices for layering.
Finally Joanna includes functional items to finish the look. Unique clocks and antique plates are some of her favorite mantel completers. She often adds books or vases with finishing touches like greenery or flowers.
Overall, Joanna Gaines likes to create a mix of beauty and function When decorating a mantel. She crafts a custom look that takes into account the homeowner’s style and desired function, placing a mix of beautiful items around the mantel.
She then adds layers and functional elements to complete the look.
What can I put on my mantel for Christmas?
Decorating your mantel for Christmas can be a fun and creative way to add some holiday cheer to your home. There are lots of items you can put on your mantel to bring your festive spirit to life. Some ideas include stringing lights, hanging a wreath or garland, adding floral arrangements, displaying decorations like Christmas ornaments, figurines, or snow globes, and displaying holiday photos or artwork.
You could also hang stockings, display holiday memorabilia, and accessorize with festive candle holders, nutcrackers, or other holiday-themed items. You can customize your look by placing items asymmetrically and using a variety of heights and textures.
You can also keep it organized by creating a color theme, or keeping the main focus in the center and surrounding it with complementary items. With a little bit of effort and festive decor, you can create a beautiful Christmas mantel!.