Fall Mantel Ideas That Will Make You Want to Curl up by the Fire
As the leaves change, so should your decor.
Is there anything cozier than gathering around a fireplace as the seasons start to change? We certainly don't think so. We know, we know...summer isn't over yet. But it helps to have something to look forward to when the temperature cools! So we're here to help everyone get their roaring fires looking and feeling ever more fabulous come September with some fall mantel decorating ideas. Dressing up your mantel is one of the easiest ways to transition a room seasonally (besides, as the leaves change, so should your decor!). Ahead, find 30 fall mantel ideas and decorating tips for a stylish and cozy autumn.
Mix Old and New
Kristin Fine painted the exposed brick fireplace surround white to complement the crisp and modern interiors without stripping the home of its farmhouse personality. To give this mantel and the surrounding area a nod to nostalgia without going overboard, she stacked some antique books and a vintage framed photo. The mix of old and new make this sitting area extra warm and welcoming, but also polished and hip.
Encourage Quiet Reflection
This old stone home in the Hudson Valley is three centuries old, so homeowners Philip Smith and Robert Rufino embraced the simplicity and nostalgia present throughout with antiques and personal items. The accent pieces, like a vintage sign and branches, are playful, warm, and welcoming, but the room still encourages stillness and quiet. It's a country respite, after all!
Mount Antlers
This fireplace setup in the Jackson Hole home of designers Rush Jenkins and Klaus Baer is the prototype for fall decorating if there ever was one. The mounted antlers enhance the rustic stone fireplace surround, shiplap walls, and exposed beams even further, and the floating wood mantel allows for even more autumn-centric tchotchkes to be displayed.
Prop Antlers on the Mantel
Or, if you don't want antlers to be the main focal point (or can't drill in your wall!) simply prop up some antlers on top of the mantel. Shopowner Sean Scherer did that in this quirky, cozy living room. Surrounded by other trinkets from his beloved collection, they look right at home.
Drape a Seasonal Garland
Antique sconces flanking a portrait instantly draw the eye to the fireplace area in this sitting room designed by Charlotte Moss. Fall is all about being festive. The lush magnolia garland brings nature into the room and the leaves only get more beautiful with time as they dry. Moss likes to weave in cinnamon sticks—they resemble little logs and smell amazing.
Display Miscellaneous Candlesticks
This statement fireplace in a living room designed by Heidi Caillier incorporates the best of both a classic mountain chalet and a contemporary family farmhouse. A floating beam installed horizontally over the stone wall acts as a makeshift mantel, and antique candlestick holders at varying heights play up the mystical atmosphere that fall brings.
Arrange Warm-Toned Flowers
This sophisticated fireplace vignette in a home designed by Nannette Brown is a timeless backdrop. A glass amber vase props up whimsical orange flowers during the fall, but the inhabitant may opt for florals of different tones in the spring and summer months.
Display Moodier Art
A display of black and white prints leans casually above the mantel in this clean, quiet vignette designed by Jeffrey Dungan. The restraint and modesty of the color story mixed with the simplicity and casualness of the artwork create a fall feel that could easily be cheered up for the warmer, brighter months with different prints.
Fake It
So, you're reading this article because you love fireplaces, but that doesn't mean you have one in every room in the house. If you want one somewhere but not badly enough to build one, take note of Natalie Chong's living room. She created the illusion of a fireplace by placing a tall console table against the center wall and then stacked wood under it to stand in for a real fireplace.
Use Fall-Scented Candles
Here's more proof that a nonworking fireplace can still be a valuable feature, especially during the fall months. Alison Victoria used hers to display a collection of candles for that classic cozy warmth you'd get from a roaring fire. Try clustering your favorite fall-scented candles to get that flickering flame effect and really set the mood.
Lean Into the Drama
To get it ready for the new season, you'll want to swap out that summery decor for something a little cozier. Sometimes that means just going from a weekly hydrangea arrangement on the mantel to a mix of branches with dried leaves. Heidi Caillier opted for a dramatic display of branches that speak to the scale of the room. Besides, who doesn't love a little drama as Halloween approaches?
Keep Incense Handy
While not exactly a classic mantel, per sé, this striking and modern fireplace designed by General Assembly features great seasonal decorating ideas. One niche stores coffee table books, another keeps logs on hand and orderly, and the shelf holds a smudge stick and/or incense to promote a calm, fresh start to the season.
Display Fall Foliage and Frame dOnjects
Put together an arrangement of fall florals. In this living room designed by Alison Pickart, the green and brown foliage displayed in a classic white vase complement the existing color scheme. And it's also well-advised to toss a sheepskin throw over an armchair to fall-ify surrounding summer throws.
Lean a Large Mirror
Prop a mirror up on the mantel and lean it again the wall for a laid back yet impactful impression that also makes the room feel larger. This one's the perfect scale for the high ceilings and takes advantage of all that glorious vertical space. Add a small planter, tiny frames, candlesticks, and a few knick knacks for a collected look.
Repurpose What You Already Have
Your fall mantel doesn't need to look fancy to be polished and stylish. In this space, a small stack of books and decorative jars make the room feel lived in and unpretentious.
Mix Design Trends
Perfectly placed blooms and abstract wall art make this antique fireplace standout in the otherwise modern space. We love the contrast between the worn fireplace and luxe, contemporary styles throughout.
Hang a Garland
Fill some glass jars with small decorative objects, like pebbles or crystals, and then hang a wooden garland over the mantel for a late fall vibe. The built-in firewood cubby in this living room by Heidi Callier takes the cozy vibes to the next level.
Don't Forget the Space Beyond
Choose fall florals that bring nearby artwork to life. In this space by Reath Design, the marigold flowers and whimsical arrangement speak to the abstract photograph leaning on the mantel. But don't forget to decorate the surrounding walls beyond your mantel for visual balance.
Highlight Motifs
No matter where you actually live, you can feel like you're in the mountains with a stone and wood fireplace. Designed by Hecker Guthrie, this stylish example—adorned with candles and adjacent to a plaid upholstered window seat—is actually making us wish for snow in summer.
Get Dramatic With Florals
A droopy, asymmetrical flower arrangement is the perfect fit for the moody mantel setup in this living room by Reath Design.
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