It’s fall at last, which means the heat and humidity of summer are starting to give way to cooler weather, crisp days, and cozy nights by the fireplace. If you’re not feeling the excitement of the oncoming season yet, these fall fireplace mantel ideas are sure to help set the tone. The fireplace mantel is a focal point of your room, which makes it a great place to start with your fall decorating. Truly, there’s nothing better than sitting in an oversized armchair with your toes warmed by the fire on a chilly night.
A More-is-More Harvest Feel
With the autumn season comes a bounty of gourds, pumpkins, chestnuts and berries which can be used in your decorating. Bring the outside in by placing some of these on your mantel alongside elegant candlesticks, varying shapes and heights. You can also place some pumpkins and gourds in a cornucopia to give your mantel a very seasonal, abundant aesthetic that will last you until Thanksgiving. If you’d like, you can also extend your decor to the hearth, where you can set up planters, lanterns, or baskets filled with pumpkins to complete your enchanting fall look.
A Unique, Rustic Look
Particularly if you have a wooden mantel, fall is the ideal time to lean into rustic accents to enhance a warm, comforting feeling. Start by adding a dried wreath of pampas grass or magnolia leaves above the center of your mantel and then place vintage books or picture frames on the edges of the mantel. Carry through your design to the hearth, where you can set up an old wooden stool and some vintage-inspired lanterns.
A Cozy Candelit Glow
As the nights start to get longer and darker, there's something about candles that just set a fall mood and help you feel more relaxed. To achieve a sophisticated candle-filled mantel, gather different sizes of pillar candles – flameless are best for safety reasons. While cream or white are classic, you can also use a mixture of burnt orange and cream candles, or gold and cream candles. The key to creating a wow-worthy candle mantel is to stagger the heights, so make use of candle holders if you have them. If you don’t have a working fireplace, you can fill the firebox with more candles for an extra magical effect.
Pumpkins and Mirrors
If you are a fan of white pumpkins, now is their moment to shine. Create an autumn mantel using white pumpkins, branches of cotton, candles and eucalyptus. If you have one, lean a large mirror in the center of the mantel to bounce more light around the room and reflect your arrangement. Mirrors also help reflect light – whether from the sun during the day or candles at night – around the room, which is very welcome in the winter.
An Arrangement of Dried Fall Foliage
For this traditional fall mantel idea, gather together colorful dried leaves and foliage. Start by adding the tallest items, like branches or wheat stalks in vases at the edges and work towards the center with the dried leaves, pinecones, and chestnuts. Or, take the simple route by draping a large garland made of dried leaves (magnolia are especially beautiful) over the entire mantle.
There are so many fun traditions that come with this time of year, and creating a memorable backdrop will help get your family and friends in the festive spirit. Your mantel is a focal point, so make it stand out with any of these charming decor ideas that catch the eye. As the weather gets colder, you can enjoy curling up next to the warm glow of your decorated fireplace with family and friends.
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