This post shows you 12 stunning Christmas mantel decor ideas
Looking to elevate your Mantel this Christmas with some gorgeous festive decor – look no further!
We’ve got all the Christmas Mantel Decor Ideas you could need no matter what your personal style is.
Anything from rustic DIY pieces to timeless traditional Christmas decorations, a mantel is the perfect spot in a room to create a festive focal point that will welcome your guests into your home this Christmas.
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How to Decorate your House for Christmas
Decorating your house can be a joyful and fun activity for all the family at Christmas time. With the right amount of planning and preparation you can transform your home into your own personal Christmas wonderland.
Decide how extravagant or minimal you want to go with your decor – are you looking to decorate your entire house inside and out or thinking of incorporating festive pieces into your pre-existing decor. Whatever you choose, planning ahead is key to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
We recommend creating a Christmas Decor Moodboard – this can be great to refer back to when you get to decorating too!
How to Decorate your Mantel for Christmas
Decorating your mantel for Christmas can create a stunning focal point in your living room or any room you have a fireplace in. Garlands are a great traditional choice for mantel decor.
Dependent on what theme you decide on consider the types of lighting you might incorporate onto your mantel. Christmas lights are a great option for decorating with minimal effort or skill required. Alternatively, you could create your own Christmas garlands with paper such as a paper-chain – these are a great activity for the whole family and create a truly special and personalized touch to your decor. To add a touch of elegance and warmth to your mantel, consider using seasonal elements like fresh greenery, pine-cones, or even a decorative clock or mirror.
Christmas Decor Color schemes
- Classic Red and Gold – Crimson Red, Gold and accents of Forest Green.
- Rustic Brown and Green – Chestnut Brown, Hunter Green and accents of Copper.
- Elegant Jewel Tones – Emerald Green, Sapphire Blue and accents of Amethyst Purple.
Christmas Mantel Decor Ideas
1. Decorations
To create a simplistic rustic-inspired Christmas mantel, the right decorations are crucial. Choose minimalistic and neutral Christmas decor like these mini white faux Christmas trees and pair them with a simple pine needle garland. Using a plain garland gives you the option of changing your Christmas decor style in the future and is also great for dressing down more lively decor.
Why not collect pine cones from outdoors to use as indoor decor. With the proper care pine cones can last years, spraying them with vinegar or baking can help to preserve them (please read more on baking pine cones for preservation before you do this!)
2. Garlands
When decorating your Christmas Mantel don’t forget the hanging space below the mantel itself, as it offers the perfect opportunity to add even more festive flair. This area can be adorned with a particularly voluminous garland, string lights or even small rustic bells hung on twine.
We love the addition of the different sized bells – a great option for adding depth and variety to the hanging decorations on your mantel.
3. Stockings
Christmas stockings are a festive mantel must-have, and possibly the first thing that comes to mind when we imagine classic Christmas mantel decor.
Whether personalized, traditional, or decorative, they add warmth, nostalgia, and a touch of whimsy to the holiday display. Not only a great option for decorating your mantel but also a fun way to display Christmas gifts for friends or family.
4. Fireplace
Decorating a fireplace for Christmas can feel a little overwhelming, especially when trying to find the right decorations to complement your space and style. The key is to strike a balance between festive flair and your existing décor. Consider including additional warmth around your fireplace with candles or lanterns.
String lights are another great choice for decorating a mantel and around a fireplace and can be used to tie in mantel and fireplace hearth decor.
5. Winter
If you’re looking to create a winter wonderland in your home this Christmas you’ll want to consider introducing silvers, whites, and icy blues into your decor.
To enhance the effect, make sure to include reflective decor—simple silver baubles that catch and reflect light are perfect for adding sparkle and depth to your festive display. Combine these with delicate snowflake decorations and soft, white lights to complete the enchanting winter scene.
Such a beautiful approach to fall decor!
Related: 12 Simple Christmas Decorating Ideas you Mantel Needs this Year
6. Swag
Create a classic, elegant look on your mantel this Christmas with this simple yet gorgeous style. Using large rustic candle holders as a focal point adds both warmth and sophistication to your decor. Pair them with a lush evergreen garland draped across the mantel, and weave in twinkling fairy lights for an extra, calming glow. Accentuate the arrangement with a few well-placed ornaments.
This style is perfect for dressing up or down—if you’re looking to create a more extravagant look, why not include additional layers of garland or incorporate statement pieces like over-sized baubles or a glittering reindeer?
7. Christmas Tree
Make sure to choose decor that compliments your Christmas tree. Create a festive style that enhances the entire room!
Add a touch of warmth to your mantel with miniature house candle holders. These charming accents not only provide a cozy glow but are also a great option for those who love the nostalgia of miniature Christmas villages but don’t want to commit to the more elaborate design.
8. Simple
This Mantel is a great example of a well-executed, simplistic decor style. The use of silver, string beads and a small selection of silver ornaments incorporates the Christmas spirit without being overwhelming – especially in a smaller space.
The subtle use of metallic tones and minimalistic elements in this mantel design strikes the perfect balance between festive and understated.
9. Elegant
Isn’t this Christmas mantel just perfect!
The intricately carved fireplace plays a big part in this design but don’t be deterred if you’re working with a more simplistic fireplace design – with careful planning this decor style can be achieved on any mantel. Select rose gold, silver and white baubles – make sure to include varying styles of bauble, opt for different textures too.
When choosing a tree, consider a frosted one this can bring a wintery, snow-covered effect into your home. The white frosted branches can create a beautiful contrast against your other ornaments and lights, adding an extra layer of festive charm.
10. Rustic
If the extravagent ornaments and bright colored lights aren’t for you – why not create a more subtle Christmas experience.
A mantel is the perfect spot to bring a little festive spirit into your home – simple decor elements such us led string lights can create a subtle Christmas glow with little effort. We love this bear-head vase and think elements like this can be easily used as a Christmas decor!
11. DIY
For the more artistic decorator – why not create your own Christmas decor like this boho macrame wall hanging.
Handmade pieces will add a personal and creative touch to your holiday decorations, and macrame is the perfect option to complements a more bohemian or rustic style. For an added touch, pair your boho macrame wall hanging with a macrame rug to create a more cohesive look.
12. Gold
A gold-accented Christmas decor style exudes luxury and warmth, perfect for creating an elegant holiday atmosphere.
Incorporate gold ornaments – baubles, bead garlands and other festive ornaments. Pair these decor elements with neutral tones like white or cream to keep the look balanced and sophisticated. Why not, mix in metallic elements like velvet ribbons or bows for an added touch of elegance.
Decorating Ideas for your Christmas Mantel
We hope this post has inspired you to bring your Christmas mantel decor vision to life this year!
Carefully choose the types of decor elements you will use and pair them with personalized touches. Create a mantel that adds charm to your current home decor, whilst also adding a touch of festive spirit to your space.
Happy decorating, and may your Christmas mantel become a beautiful, festive centerpiece.
You may also like:
- 12 Simple Christmas Decorating Ideas you Mantel Needs this Year
- 11 Simple Ways to Decorate a Small Living Room for Christmas
- 10 Beautiful Minimalist Ways to Decorate your Christmas Tree
- 10 Easy Ways To Decorate Your Porch For Christmas
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This post shows you 12 stunning Christmas mantel decor ideas.
