Mantel Decorating
urn your fireplace mantel into a wow-worthy focal point with a decorating makeover. Here are a few tips from Better Homes and Gardens and read the full list here.
The right mix of accessories can enhance a simple fireplace mantel. Try this easy formula: hang a mirror in the middle and a sconce on either side. Anchor the mantel with a largervase in front of the mirror and fill in with smaller accessories, such as vases, candlesticks, and decorative objects. Pick up on colors and materials found elsewhere in the room. Here, a mix of white, blue, and gold pieces reflect the room’s palette. Vary the height and visual weight of items and you’ll be on your way to a well-dressed mantel.
Symmetrical arrangements project a classic order. Dress up your fireplace wall with a pair of wall sconces, one mounted on each side of the fireplace, with a round mirror in the middle. Use similar shaped objects on the mantel to maintain the orderly look. Here, tapered footed vases mimic the shape of the candle sconces on the wall.
Consider how art above the mantel relates to the mantel and fireplace, both in terms of style and size. For a cohesive style, pair like with like. The size of your art should proportionately fill the space. If a piece is too small, arrange it with a few other hanging pieces. Here, a pastoral painting melds with a rustic mantel piece, while the bright and pure colors balance out the patina. The canvas stretches close to the ceiling and doesn’t read as too small.
If you’re lucky to have a mantel with character, let the mantel be the star by minimizing your accessories. Fill the wall space with a simple mirror and pair of sconces and just a few well-placed objects. For a classic-with-a-twist look, start with a pair of vases in the middle and vary what’s on either side of them.
Flat-panel TVs often find a place above afireplace. But the look can disrupt the fireplace’s decorative facade. Reclaim your fireplace’s appearance by recessing the unit into the wall behind the fireplace and enclosing it with bifold doors. Here, the doors are clad in beaded board to match the coffered ceiling.
Add character to your fireplace wall with molding. Paint molding pieces the same color as the wall and install in rectangular shapes that fill the space around your fireplace. In this living room, one large rectangle “frames” the space above the mantel, while a narrow rectangle on each side of the fireplace fills the space and draws the eye upward.
