Tips For Decorating Your Mantel

One design dilemma that frequently stumps home decorators is how to arrange art and accessories on their fireplace mantels. The mantel is a focal point of a living room, often the first place someone looks when they enter the room. If you’re not sure how to best decorate your mantel, find some inspiration in these tips for creating a beautiful display. Keep in mind these are just tips, not rules. And if you don’t have a mantel, these same tips apply to entry tables and side tables, as well. 

Arrange symmetrically

When you’re not sure how to decorate the mantel, the simplest tip is to go for symmetry. Balance a large object in the middle with identical pieces on either side. For example, you can place a large mirror in the center and then arrange candlesticks of the same height to the left and right. This will result in an isosceles triangle formation that is very pleasing to the eye. 

Skew asymmetrically

In contrast to the symmetrical triangle formation, the asymmetrical – or obtuse – triangle is also visually effective. Here, you would place shorter objects like books and photos on one side, and a taller object like a vase holding branches on the other. The asymmetry guides your eye, allowing it to move from left to right and back again  

Think in threes

Maybe because I was an English major and was taught to outline my essays in threes – three main supporting points, each with three specific examples – I also decorate in threes. To do this, choose three different types of objects and display three of each type. For example, you can display three types of home accents, such as books, clocks and candles. And then, if you really wanted to be true to the principle of threes, you would select three books, three clocks and three candles. 

Keep it monochromatic

Choose a rich hue, like blue or orange, and keep all your display objects in the same color family. The monochromatic look is chic and modern, and more importantly, it takes out a lot of the guesswork in deciding what to display. Shopping is also easier when you know you’re looking for a certain colored accessory. 

Layer with different heights

When displaying objects, try to make them of variable heights so the eye can move up and down. One way to vary the height is to stack objects — for example, by placing a vase or a figurine on top of a book. Also, layer them from back to front, overlapping objects so they are not on the same plane. 

Create a gallery

If you have any framed prints or photographs gathering dust in the closet, take them out and show them off. They’ll look beautiful grouped together as an impromptu gallery on your mantel. And there’s no need to hang them – just lean them up against the wall. Again, make sure they are of differing heights, and overlap them to create layers.

Don’t feel like you have to display only what you see in design magazines. Let your mantel reflect your own interests and personality. 

Get personal

Don’t feel like you have to display only what you see in design magazines – you know, vintage books, candles, vases and other oh-so-tasteful objets d’art. Let your mantel reflect your own interests and personality. I’ve created mantel displays with vintage lunchboxes, typewriters, African masks – whatever was personal and meaningful for my client. After all, one person’s tchotchkes are another’s treasures.

Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.