40 Cozy Ideas for Fireplace Mantels

October 30, 2013
Pinterest/The Frugal Homemaker
In the South, we love a well-styled and accessorized fireplace mantle. The more layers, the prettier the finished product. One of our favorite mantel decorating ideas is to layer varying sizes of framed or unframed art decoratively on the mantle. You don't always have to hang. If you do, don't hang frames too high. Just a few inches above the mantel is the ideal height. Another fireplace mantel decorating tip is to hang numerous sizes and shapes of mirrors instead of just one. There are so many seasonal and festive fireplace mantel ideas that you can try out too. We have mantel decorating ideas for Christmas while many of our fall decorating ideas also involve the mantel. Whatever you do, don’t neglect your outdoor fireplace. Your outdoor porch mantel deserves some love too.
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Fall Foliage

Credit: Helen Norman

Take advantage of the seasonal foliage and incorporate it into your home décor. We love these elegantly-draped oak and magnolia leaves, and stacked pumpkins complete the fall effect.

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Manicured Mantel

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller and Elly Poston Cooper

A festive fireplace garland can be tailored to suit any season. It adds a pop of natural color to a monochromatic room.

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Pop of Color

Credit: Photo: William Waldron

A neutral fireplace allows bright accessories to really pop when placed on the mantel.

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Laid-Back and Authentic

Credit: Jillian Guyette

The simplicity of the black-and-white fireplace mantle, topped with a single large framed photo, complements the rest of the room’s playful, relaxed aesthetic.

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Screen Saver

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

​​​​​​​A white wicker screen matches the cottagey décor of this home’s living room. It’s both practical and stylish.

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Seasonal Accents

Credit: Pinterest/The Frugal Homemaker

This fireplace combines everything we love about the fall into one cohesive display. Stick with a color palate like this orange, white, and brown scheme to ensure all your décor is complementary. Fresh fall flowers, like mums, bring life to this display.

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Stylish and Chic

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Heather Chadduck,

An inexpensive honeycomb mirror hung over the mantle dresses up this fireplace with unique style.

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Antique Character

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

The distressed finish on this 19th-century relic lends historic character to the new wood burning fireplace.

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Authentic and Eclectic

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A ventless gas fireplace has an authentic feel with an Eldorado fireplace surround and a wood mantel. Instead of one large painting above the mantel, a grouping of framed and unframed pieces creates an eclectic display.

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Pretty in Pink

Credit: Mary Craven

A pale pink wall color brings a delicate, warm feel to this space. A vase of pink flowers perfectly accentuates the eye-catching wall color.

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Focal Point

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn, Styling: Matthew Gleason

A white brick fireplace provides the perfect backdrop for cheery pops of color. Though the seating faces away from the fireplace, it still commands attention as the focal point of the space.

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Collectible Display

Credit: Photo: Alexandra Rowley

Above the mantel, this homeowner displays an ever-changing arrangement of artwork and accessories. An avid flea market and antique store shopper, as he finds new collectibles, he likes to bring them in as a quick way to change up the look.

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Marble Grandeur

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper

This room may be bursting with décor, but the grand marble fireplace remains the focal point. The white tones and natural green elements relieve the eye from the busy shelves and furniture.

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Fill the Fireplace

Credit: Pinterest/Sarah Tucker

​​​​​​​If your fireplace is not in use, turn it into the focal point of the room by filling it to the brim with white and green pumpkins. This concept is simultaneously sleek and rustic.

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Embossed Marble Fireplace

Credit: Wayne C. Moore of Back River Photography

This carved antique mantle requires little dressing up. A fresh bouquet of seasonal flowers and a statement mirror that brings out the fireplace’s gold accents does the trick.

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Old and New

Credit: Marili Forastieri; Styling: Barbara Schmidt

The mantel is one of two that the Hackenbergs relocated from Charlotte. The distressed wood of the fireplace reminds of the family's history. A piece of modern art reinforces the antique yet contemporary feel.

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For the Bibliophile

Credit: Pinterest

Not enough room in your shelves for all your books? Turn the fireplace into a storage spot for your extensive collection. This rustic look is perfect for the fall.

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Dogtrot Hall

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman, Styling: Rebecca Omweg

This fireplace is located in the central hall of a dogtrot home. A painting by South Carolina artist Linda Rorer sits atop the reclaimed cherry mantel.

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Whimsy and Elegance

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Comfortable and formal collide in this vibrant living room. A traditional mantel juxtaposes the whimsical decor.

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Symmetry and Balance

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Asymmetrical arrangements can be intimidating, but formal symmetry is easy to pull off and adds a calm balance to a room. The simple arrangement above this fireplace is clean and elegant.

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Warm and Cozy

Credit: Photo: Erica George Dines

Local artwork is a meaningful accessory. A locally painted scene of Florida live oaks hangs above this family room’s cast-stone fireplace.

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A Personal Touch

Credit: Ellis Creek

We love décor that is personal. These old family portraits give the room character without any of the cliché of oversized, posed photos.

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Patterns on Patterns

Credit: Rodney R. Collins/Beacham & Company REALTORS

With such an intricately decorated room, the fireplace offers a splash of simplicity. Twin sculpted plants rest on each side of a gold-framed painting.

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Does Your Fireplace Mantel Need an Update? Get Inspired:

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Wood and Stone Fireplace

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman; Styling: Jeff Minnich

Relocate your family outdoors. This stunning outdoors fireplace keeps it casual with festive fall foliage and wood panel detailing.

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Symmetrical Sconces

Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin, Charles Walton IV; Styling: Buffy Hargett

A neutral fireplace plays well with bold-patterned upholstery. Sconces above the mantel provide elegant symmetry.

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Warm and Breezy

Credit: Costa Christ

Easy, breezy, and modern. This space is a perfect example of how to tastefully hang a television without distracting from the room’s color scheme or décor.

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Light and Dark

Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Nestled in the center of bright white walls, the dark fireplace surround draws the eye. A thin coffee table ensures the view to the fireplace is unobstructed.

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Lake House Chic

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Richly hued walls complement the stone fireplace. Comfortable seating makes for an inviting spot to enjoy the fire.

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Accommodate a Crowd

Credit: Photo: Lisa Romerein, Styling: Rebecca Omweg

When not in use, this fireplace provides additional seating to accommodate a crowd. The deep fireplace hearth is outfitted with custom cushions for seating in a pinch.

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Natural Light