If you’re someone who is lucky enough to have a mantel in your house, you are likely looking forward to decorating it for the upcoming holidays. However, it may seem daunting to get the proportions and heights right, especially when you want it to look right with the rest of the room. There is a little bit of a science to the placement of things on a mantel, in order to get the most aesthetically pleasing result, and one that you’ll not constantly be wanting to rearrange every time you look at it (because really, who has time for that?!). The mantel can be a centerpiece of a room, and one your eye is instantly drawn to…when it’s done right! Here are some easy steps to getting your mantel ready for the holidays, and all those photo ops that you’ll want in front of it:
Source: Pexels.com
-Start with the anchor piece: Your large focal point can also be called the “anchor”. It can be something like a mirror, a large art piece or canvas, or something similar. Ideally, it will be the right proportion of space above the mantel ledge, and will be something neutral that doesn’t need to be changed with every season. Some pieces we love are things like windowpanes (these ones) for something that can easily work with any seasonal decor. Another neutral idea is to place an oversized clock above the mantel.
-Add items to even out the space: The best way to make sure your mantel looks just right is to think about textures, layers, and height. The items on either side of your anchor piece should be similar in size, although they don’t have to be identical. Candle holders/pillars, narrow windowpanes, shutters, or vases are all great options to start with. Again, if you want to make these neutrals like cream, black, or brown, they will be easily morphed into your seasonal arrays.
-Get holiday or season specific: Now is the fun part, but you don’t want to get too cluttery. Add just 2-3 additional items to your mantel to celebrate the season or holiday you want to highlight. For Thanksgiving, this could be some simple branches or leaves, or a small bouquet of wheat sheaves. If you’re decorating for Christmas, consider a simple banner or letters, or a little bit of sparkle (ornaments or candles). There should always be space between your items, so that it’s not a giant clump of decor…you want them to be appreciated and able to be viewed!
-During the rest of the year: When you don’t have a themed display to put together, it’s always a safe bet to include greenery or simple artwork, and always layer! A larger piece or mirror can be placed in the back of the mantel arrangement, and you can layer a smaller canvas or family photo slightly overlapped in front. This will lend depth and interest to your space.
Still stumped on how to make your mantel fit your current space? We would love to help! Contact us today to schedule your consultation for design, event planning/decor, or more!