Styling your mantel during the holidays can be a piece of cake, given all those special decorations you take out only once a year. But once those are packed away and you are left with an empty mantel, how do you get the focal point of your living room or den looking picture perfect? Here are some approaches for styling your mantel like a pro year round.
Start with the art. One large piece, about two-thirds the size of the mantel itself, will get you almost all the way there. Then layer on additional elements in smaller sizes, ideally in complementary colors or themes.
Follow the rule of three. A trio of objects gathered on the mantel in sizes large, medium and small will look brilliant.
If you don't have one impressive large piece to hang, a small gallery wall of three similar-size paintings is nice, too. Try to mix up the orientation and thickness or style of the frames. Don't forget to add two more elements to complete your trio; arranged closely together, the items count as one large piece.
Think textural. Your eye will be drawn to the mantel and be delighted by a sculptural piece hanging there, even if you can't touch it. Driftwood, carvings and 3-D art would all be welcome.
Another approach is to stay symmetrical for a more traditional look. Here we have an equestrian painting flanked by a collection of trophies, equally distributed on both sides.
Don't underestimate the effect of the right mirror. If it's big enough and the frame is interesting enough, a mirror can easily take the place of a large canvas above the mantel. Its light-reflecting properties also will make the room feel more open.
For a designer touch and a classic look, keep your mirror frame and the rest of the display elements a uniform color.
Or go minimalist. That doesn't mean barren. It means a grouping of thoughtfully selected objects and no main art or mirror piece above.
Let's face it, the focal point of the room often ends up being the perfect spot for a flat-screen TV. When that is the case, mount the TV 6 to 8 inches above the mantel so you will still have room to place some small objects below without obstructing the screen, and be sure your seating is placed for comfortable viewing. Then treat the mantel as you would that large painting or mirror, with an asymmetrical composition made of two smaller objects or collections of objects.
If your ceiling height does not allow for a 6- to 8-inch gap, another approach with the TV is to have a mantel that's interesting enough on its own.
For a perfectly styled mantel, create a balanced and curated composition. We see only a tall flower vase, a round mirror and a small cluster of objects here. That trio offers a strong geometry, with different shapes arranged to form a larger triangle and an organic feel. Yet the mantel is edited, and the objects are carefully presented. Extra points for the stacked firewood below.
Your turn: Please share your postholiday mantel with us in the Comments section below.
