Ah, the Christmas mantel. A symbolic spot in your home that represents not only the warmth and coziness of the fireplace underneath but also the potential goodies hiding inside the stockings hung with care. Leaving it unadorned is simply not an option. Get it just as ready for the holidays as your Christmas tree so when you settle down by the fire with a festive holiday cocktail in hand, you can feast your eyes on the focal point of the room.
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Sure, you could go with the usual suspects of light-up garlands, snowman figurines, and miniaturized winter wonderlands. But sometimes, we need to shake up that traditional holiday decor. With access to an overwhelming amount of #mantelinspo on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok, the bar is set high for crafting a mantel that's both festive and unique. High—but not impossible.
When you break down some of the most gorgeous mantel designs out there, the formula is really made up of a few key elements: greenery and florals, accents of sparkle and shine, and personal touches that reflect your own style. Recreating your favorite look is as easy as following a recipe but with way more leeway for experimentation. By mixing and matching these ingredients, you can come up with a mantel masterpiece that will make Santa himself feel like he's walking into a winter wonderland.
So, without further ado, here are 10 Pinterest-worthy ways to decorate your mantel for Christmas.
Go big with garland
Credit: Chris Loves Julia
A simple strand of greenery is nice. But you know what will really make a statement? A thick, spruce-y branch like the one used in blogger Chris Loves Julia's home in 2022. By allowing it to be the star of the show, you can keep the rest of your decorations minimal, like a few tapered candles, simple stockings, and (of course) a holiday-themed banner.
Play with ribbon
Credit: Welch House 1900
Ribbon is an understated winter wonder, and nothing is more evident of that than how Welch House 1900 utilized it in their ballet-inspired Christmas mantel. You can tie it into bows as they did or weave it in and out of your greenery. Use this light pink satin fabric if you want to achieve their whimsical mood.
Lean into candles
Credit: French Country Cottage
Nothing creates a cozy vibe quite like an assortment of candles. We love the way French Country Cottage used a variety of shapes and sizes to build a waxy wonderland for her mantel. Try mixing and matching different heights by using this brassy set.
Add some bells
Credit: The Lily Pad Cottage
Is there anything more charming than the sound of a bell ringing during Christmastime? If you want to add some whimsy and warmth to your mantel, try hanging a set like this to one end like The Lily Pad Cottage did above. Pairing the cold brass with warm textures like those sweater-esque stockings is a match made in heaven.
Go back in time
Credit: Liz Marie
Christmas is a time of nostalgia. So lean into all that heartwarming charm with a few vintage-inspired prints of some winter scenes. Liz Marie nailed it by framing some of her favorites in a few wooden and ornate frames and using them as a backdrop for her mantel masterpiece. There are tons of gorgeous prints online, or you can search for some gems at your local thrift store.
Embrace maximalism
Credit: Nesting with Grace
We love a good minimalist moment, but there's something about Christmas that makes us want to go all out. That's why we are absolutely smitten with this colorful mantel from Nesting with Grace. Between the layered garland and oversized textured stockings, there's something new to admire with each glance.
Bring on the pink
Credit: The Pink Clutch
Barbie would have loved to have this magical mantel featured in The Pink Clutch. By incorporating some hot pink, a few sparkly ornaments, and lots of faux greenery, this fireplace is transformed into a feminine winter wonderland. Recreating your own scene will take a bit of digging, but we think this vintage-style banner is a great start.
Create a bottle brush forest
Credit: Abigail Albers
Bottle brush trees are a holiday classic, and we love the idea of using them to create a mini forest on your mantel. Abigail Albers knocked it out of the park by layering different sizes and colors like reds, pinks, and oranges. You might have to search to find some that size, but you can make just as big of an impact with a mini set like this one.
Use unexpected greenery
Credit: Jennifer Rizzo
Everyone opts for pine and spruce when it comes to Christmas greenery, but why not switch things up with something unexpected? Jennifer Rizzo used eucalyptus for her mantel masterpiece, and we think it turned out stunning. Bonus: these faux picks will last you year after year.
Experiment with natural touches
Credit: Nest of Posies
We love a good Santa figurine as much as the next guy, but there's something extra special about using natural elements in your Christmas decor. Nest of Posies' simple dried orange garland adds just the right amount of color and texture to her mantel. It's a little unexpected, but totally works with the rest of her decor. You can DIY your own or pick up a faux version.
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