How to Decorate a Mantel

I don’t know about you but when it comes to decorating my mantel I feel like I never get it quite right. I like parts of it but not the overall look. What’s the secret to getting a mantel that you just love? Buffy’s mantel is always changing and evolving — with the holidays and newly found objects. And since she’s here in North Carolina visiting me I had her refresh my mantel!

Note: A few years ago I was frustrated with my 7″ wide mantel ledge. Many items I wanted to display were too wide. So I added a 9″ board on top of the 7″ mantel giving an extra 2″ which is perfect for decorating! It was easy to do. I found a beautiful board at Lowe’s and had them cut it 3″ longer than my original mantel. Using wood glue and a few screws my husband and I attached it to the existing mantel using C-clips. A few days later I caulked, primed and painted the whole mantel. I have been so happy with the additional two inches.

Buffy’s tips:

Mantels take time

It will take hours to get a mantel to look like you want. Arrange a few things then stare at it for a while, rearrange, add, take away, etc. It’s a process. Your mantel, if you choose, can be ever changing as you update for holidays or find new treasures. I still need to find a throw and a couple of little things to finish up.

Enjoy the process. Buffy finds it so relaxing and comforting. Don’t over think it. Don’t think about triangles and a formula. If you think it’s pretty then it is! There is no arbiter of beauty.

Start with things you love

For me, it’s old blue bottles, wood candlesticks and bits of nature. Plus a collection of ceramic birds that my sister has given me over the years. Gather the things you love. What connects these items? Is there a theme? Maybe it’s a color. Buffy often works with customers who feel they don’t have a theme or a collection that coordinates. But, when items are pulled together a theme emerges. Don’t be afraid to experiment! If you don’t like it don’t use it but at least give it a try. Everything we used was from my house except for one galvanized pot for the spiller plant ($7.69 Hobby Lobby) and 4 books ($3.13 Goodwill).

Shop your house & yard

What do you already own that would work? Over the years my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmothers have given me lots of heirlooms. Much of it is in boxes or stored in cabinets. As Buffy and I search we find that we have a lot of great stuff to use. What do you have? We felt I needed a bittersweet branch wreath to hang on the window but that would mean finding and ordering one. So, Buffy took two branches formed a circle, added a small nest, and a twine bow. Perfect!  I think it gives the perfect whimsy without overpowering the rest of the items.

Buffy has a customer who collects rocks. This woman loves rocks. So Buffy stacked her rocks on her mantel making cairns. Get creative! Look for pinecones, birds nests, dried pods (Love-in-a-mist pods are a favorite), rocks, seashells, branches, driftwood, etc. Even an old hornet’s nest would look gorgeous on or around a mantel. One of my favorite mantels displays jars and jars of seashells collected while walking on the Outerbanks. Susan has sorted the shells and stored “like” shells in bottles of varying sizes and shapes. It is mesmerizing!

Remember the hearth

Pull your decorating down to the hearth. Make the whole wall a piece of art. A well-placed chair may become part of the whole wall. Does the firebox need a good cleaning and paint? Add baskets, lanterns, candles — even the wood you stack in your firebox will become part of the overall look.

Layering: thriller, spiller, filler

Now that you’ve gathered your items together what’s next? Start with your thriller piece. This is the main focal piece and the largest piece or pieces. This might be a great piece of art, a wreath, a large clock, an old window, a mirror, or a flat screen. Your thriller may be 2-3 pieces of layered art in different sizes. This piece often acts as a backdrop.

Old windows are everywhere! Clean it up, sand it to show a little wood. Choose objects for the right and left sides of the thriller that will add width and visual weight to the overall look. These items do not necessarily need to be identical, as long as their visual weight is similar. Make sure that their height is smaller than that of your thriller object but still proportionate.

One thing to remember about the thriller is that it will set the ‘theme’ for your mantel and should complement your living space. If you have a beach themed piece of artwork your room will end up being a beach themed room. If you keep your thriller more generic you will have more options for your living space. I chose an old window which can easily go farmhouse, English cottage, and seasonal decorating for Autumn or Christmas.

Next comes the spiller

The easiest spiller is a hanging plant. We usually get some kind of ivy or a spider plant. You may be able to find willow that will hang well. I must (but hate) to admit that I kill the hanging ivy about once a year and just head to Lowe’s for a new plant. You may not need a spiller if your mantel is short and you showcase taller items on the hearth.

Now add your filler

Consider using your mantel to showcase art, rustic letters, collectibles, seasonal decor, or family heirlooms. Add a tiny jar or vase to add fresh flowers. Ephemera — old paper and postcards tucked in or under items or hung from clips across the thriller or draping down as a spiller. One of Buffy’s favorites is recycled glass.   Maybe you have a bunch of small things that would get lost on a mantel. Take those small things and “contain” them in a jar, box, basket, or container of some kind. Grouping them together shows them off. Read about Displaying Dishes & Collectibles

Following the layering steps above, the thriller should be the tallest, followed by varying heights of filler. In this way, you create triangles above the mantel with the tallest point at the center working down as you move out left and right. This helps your eye focus and allows a smooth transition from the mantel.

To add a little height we took several old books, tore off the cover, stained them with coffee grinds, and tied with twine. You can find books at garage sales for 25c and at Goodwill for $1. We looked for books that had ragged pages. You can also use books that have the same color spine or books that have titles you just love. Or save time and get these beautiful one-of-a-kind deckled antique books.

Things to avoid:

Bunny ears – putting like things at both ends (like two tall candlesticks) which makes your eyes go both ways.

Soldiers everything in a straight line. Vary depth, height, and texture.

Overcrowding – too many fillers can take away from the look you want. Some people love a very clean 10-item mantel. Others like 10 major items plus filler. This is a personal choice. Because I have limited space in my house to display items I tend to put more on my mantel.

Omitting the hearth – the hearth is part of the overall design. Don’t forget to include it!

Are you following Buffy as she remodels her 1930s bungalow? Her mantel is next on the “to do” list. 

My 1930s Bungalow – Inspiration Fabric

My 1930s Bungalow – Fireplace

Items we love