Christmas Mantel: 5 Ideas

If you’re lucky enough to have one, the mantelpiece is the main focus of the room. So, when Christmas rolls around, it is a place where you can really express your love for the festive season. Here are a few of our favourite ideas:

Traditional

You can’t go far wrong with a traditional mantel when it comes to Christmas decoration. Green, red and gold are traditional Christmas colours that will instantly make you feel more festive. Go for a big green garland that drapes over your entire mantelpiece, and adorn it with red and gold baubles and ribbons. Add a couple of gold candle sticks at either end of your mantel and you’ll have a beautifully cosy Christmas fireplace.

Modern

If your decoration style is more modern, then streamlining your mantelpiece is the key to a contemporary Christmas. Stick to one or two colours, with cool colours such as silver or white. Think layers of mirrors, glass baubles and white fairy lights. Don’t go too over the top and you’ll have a lovely contemporary Christmas mantelpiece.

Nordic

Hunting lodge chic is your aim with a Nordic themed mantelpiece. Don’t go crazy with your colours, instead stay with white, or neutral colours and natural materials. Go for antlers, something like this or even this, for something above your mantelpiece for a simple understatement of Christmas. Put an odd number of items on top of your mantelpiece (an odd number is always more aesthetically pleasing), such as candles or baubles, and a simple garland made from ribbon.

Kids

Kids want colour and excitement, and the promise of presents, so stockings are in order. Whether you make your own or you buy them, hang stockings with each family member’s initial attached, so Santa knows whose is whose. A big green garland decorated with all the family’s favourite fun baubles draped over the mantelpiece and a festive print above it should get everyone excited for the special day.

Candles

A lovely way to make your mantelpiece as festive as possible is to decorate it with as many candles as possible. Keep them all the same colour, but go for different sizes, shapes and designs. Keep the big, tall candles at the back and the shorter ones towards the middle for an aesthetically pleasing display. Hang a wreath in the middle above the mantelpiece, and taper the candles so they aren’t directly underneath.

A word of warning – if you have a genuine wood burning fire, then you need to check it over to make sure that it’s safe to use. Remember to check the flue too, as it may need relining. Take a look at Wood Burning Stoves and Flues for help.