What Everyone Ought To Know About Decorating a Mantel

Try doing what designers do the next time you decorate a mantel, shelf or the top of a sideboard or console table in your home. 

In my previous house, the flat screen TV hung above the mantel so I didn’t decorate it. In the lake house, I have had lots of fun in the years we have lived here getting to decorate the mantel for all seasons and go a little overboard when decorating it for Christmas.

Last Year’s Spring Mantel

I liked how I decorated the mantel for spring and summer last year. So much so that I was going to do the same thing again this year, but since I like to change things up, I decided to only use two of the items from last year and then shopped my house to find “new to the mantel” items as I didn’t want to purchase anything new.

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What I did next is the best thing about decorating. I simply started to place the items I collected along the mantel, keeping a few principles of design in mind.

When decorating anything, it is all about playing with the objects and moving them around until you like what you see.  No rocket science or mathematical algorithm needed. That is why I like decorating so much…it is all visual. :-)

The elements and principles of design are the building blocks of all design. I keep them in mind whenever I decorate. They come in very handy when you are decorating a mantel.

The Elements of Design:

The elements of design are the things that make up a design.

• Line – The linear edge created where two shapes meet.
• Shape – A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric (squares and circles) or organic (free formed shapes or natural shapes) materials. A positive shape automatically creates a negative shape.
• Direction – All lines have direction – Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action.
• Size – Size is simply the relationship of the volume occupied by one shape to that of another.
• Texture– Texture is the surface quality of a shape – rough, smooth, soft, hard, shiny, etc.
• Color – Color is light reflected from objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue or its name (pink, green, blue, etc.), value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright or dull it is).

The Principles of Design:

The principles of design are what we do to the elements of design. How we apply the principles of design determines how successful the design is.

1. Balance –  It’s the weight distributed in the design by the placement of your elements. Symmetry/Asymmetry
2. Proximity – Proximity creates relationship between elements. It provides a focal point. Proximity doesn’t mean that elements have to be placed together, it means they should be visually connected in some way.
3. Alignment – Aligning elements allows them to create order and a visual connection with each other.
4. Repetition – Repetition strengthens a design by tying together individual elements. It helps to create association and consistency. Repetition can create rhythm or a flow to the grouping of items.
5. Contrast – Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements (opposite colors or value light/dark, or direction – horizontal/vertical). Contrast emphasizes or highlights key elements in your design.
6. Space – Space refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within elements. Both positive and negative space are important factors to be considered in every design.

Making sure you consider these elements and principles will ensure decorating success on your mantel no matter what collection of items you use.

How to Decorate a Mantel Like a Designer

You may not have the same items I do to decorate, but you can follow the same design principles in your house with your stuff. The steps are the same and not just for mantels, but any shelf, table, dresser or sideboard top where you come up with an arrangement that is pleasing to your eye and complements your decor.

• Gather items that you love and already own – try to gather items of different sizes, shapes, textures, and color, keeping in mind the elements and principles of design.
• You can gather an entire collection or parts of it.  I used a few white pitchers, but consider using candlesticks, books, flowers, vases, plates on plate stand, photo frames, plants in pots…. just about anything.
• Don’t limit yourself to “decor” pieces only. I added the window sash and the blank canvas to create something unique. Last year, I used glass bottles destined for the recycling bin.

1. Start with an empty space – clear everything off, even items you plan to use.  You want to build the mantel decor layer by layer, stopping when you like what you see.

2. Add something flat and large along the fireplace wall. It can be hung up or simply leaned. I am using a blank white canvas since I have a lot of white on the other side of the room and want to create a balance of color throughout the room, not just on the mantel.

• Maybe you have a large piece of art, wreath or a large decorative tray in your kitchen that you can use.
• Notice I placed the canvas off-center to the left.
• I bought the blank canvas with a 40% off coupon at Michaels. It measures: 24″ x 48″.

• I set it off center like I did the canvas, but to the right this time. You can see the two pieces are slightly wider than the fireplace opening underneath.
• Again you can use a large piece of framed art, sign, wreath or another flat large decorative accessory to create this layer.

4. Now comes the fun part, placing and moving the items you gathered along the mantel in different ways.

• This design is balanced in a symmetrical fashion. I used the same color for the smaller items and repetition of 3 on each side.
• Notice that the last white item on each side is in line with the ends of the canvas and the glass cabinet door, but you can move them in for a more condensed design – just make sure each side is moved the same amount to keep the symmetry going.
• Pink and green add a color contrast against the navy blue and white.
• The sheen on the glass and the ceramic pitchers are in contrast with the rough textured stone fireplace wall.
• Need to add more height to an object – use a stack of books to raise the height of any item.

Not sure this placement of items works for you, keep moving the items around…

…move the flower pitcher in the center on the right. Switch out a medium sized item (pitcher) for a smaller one.

Line the items from smallest to largest on each side to create a pyramid.

Or do the exact opposite to create an inverted pyramid with the same items that are lined up in front of the canvas and glass cabinet door.

Or create two pyramids.

You get the idea… any of these placements works since the principles of design are in play.

Keep Moving Items Until You Like What You See

Remove the largest item on the left and replace with another large item so you still have a balanced design.

Remove items to create asymmetry on the left side only using 2 items.

Lessen the space between the items, move the largest to the end or the opposite end. Once you move items, stand back to see if you like the rhythm or flow.

Simply line 3 items on each side with the largest to the right on each side… or to the left. It doesn’t matter what side, just what looks right to your eye.

When you keep the principles of design in mind… you have a lot of options.

So now that you know how the elements and principles of design will help you decorate your mantel like a pro… go have fun creating yours… and don’t forget… use these design builders when you are decorating or designing anything in your home. They are not just used for decorating mantels.

More Fireplace Mantel Decorating Ideas

• The Easiest DIY Fireplace Mantel
• Fireplace Mantel Decor for Summer
• How to Paint a Concrete Fireplace Hearth to Look Like Stone
• One Person’s Junk Becomes a Fireplace Cover In My Living Room