How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel

Whether you want your house to have a stark and minimal interior or a warm and homey feel, you can surely extend your theme of choice simply by learning how to properly decorate your fireplace mantel. The mantel can, in fact, be used as a showcase space where you can display some of your favourite art pieces. It can also hold important family memorabilia or other decorative pieces. The best thing about decorating a mantel is that you can easily create a huge impact even with simple shifts in colour and a little bit of accessorizing. Take your cue from the following decorating tips and start taking risks the next time you decide to adjust your mantel decor.



Architectural Details



Your fireplace mantel may be as simple as a thin shelf or a magnificently built-in piece, but no matter how simple or magnificent your fireplace mantel is, there is sure to be a way for you to create a dramatic impact by adding a few architectural elements. For example, you can draw the viewer’s eyes upward and outward simply by adding a plaster or wooden relief arch over the fireplace mantel. Of course, you need to make sure that the arch is painted to match the mantel itself. It is also advisable to replace existing architectural details with more interesting ones, such as scrolled wrought-iron handles or sconces. If you prefer a lighter touch, then you may opt to bead a board trim down the mantel wall.

Colour



This is your best tool for creating an eye-catching tableaux on your fireplace mantel. You can choose white for a crisp and clean theme for your fireplace mantel, or you could go trendy with a gray mantel with blue-based undertones. If you want to create a warm vibe, then rose-based undertones would do great. If you prefer giving your fireplace mantel a country cottage feel, then you would do well to choose antique white coupled with muted earth tones. If you are the adventurous type, you can go bolder with saffron, muted green, or poppy orange for your fireplace mantel.



Art and Accessories



In choosing accessories and art pieces for your fireplace mantel, be sure to choose those that have a story and are interesting enough to spark conversations. Family photos, heirlooms, and travel souvenirs are excellent examples of such pieces. You may choose to let them take centre stage on your mantel and then surround them with less obtrusive pieces. Try to have fun with your mantel pieces and avoid centering or balancing everything too much. Lopsided groupings like three small pieces on one side and one large artwork on the other are so much more interesting. Be sure to group pieces that have something in common, such as theme, colour, material, or place of origin. This can make the story-telling more animated.



Now you know how to make your fireplace mantel more interesting. What’s most important is for you to let your mantel show something of your personality. Have fun with it, and anybody who sees it is sure to appreciate it as well.



Distinct Interiors can create custom fireplace mantels for your home