Styling a narrow mantle can be a challenge, especially when you have a black rectangle above it. You just have to think of it as a piece of art, but one you can’t move (grrr). Probably one of my biggest decorating regrets was agreeing to hang the TV above the mantle. It just made sense though, because of the layout in our living room. We have open concept, and where I love the exposed space, arranging furniture can be frustrating. As you can see, my husband built a gorgeous enclosure for our TV, but styling around it can still be tricky. In this post, I am going to share how to style a narrow mantle. Ours is not only narrow, but small overall.
How To Style A Narrow Mantle
It’s safe to say that craving simplicity after the holidays is pretty common. After clearing out the dusty garland and stockings, a bare mantle was quite pleasing to my eyes. That being said, I was also longing for a good refresh. I did some searching, and an after – Christmas sale at McGee & Co. resulted in my first ever purchase from their company. I’m a new fan! These dipped flower pots are petite and come in two different sizes. They are perfect for a narrow mantle and pair nicely opposite the hurricanes I already had.
These hurricanes can be used for candles, fairy lights, or holding a small potted plant. **Notice I said “potted”, because they have holes. They are still available, so I have linked them below in case you are interested.
Group Items Together
Odd numbered items group well together. Because I only purchased two pots, I added a stack of books. This not only added extra height but also visual interest. I already had a decorative box and added that to the trio of hurricanes, which in turn, created balance on either side of the TV cabinet. My brain is at ease with this concept. Another easy way to style a narrow mantle is to incorporate two matching vessels on both ends that stand alone. Common items include matching ginger jars, chunky candle sticks, glass vases, or topiary trees. I have linked several options below.
Ginger Jars
Chunky Candle Sticks
Glass Vases
Faux Topiary Trees
Add In Texture
Easiest way to cozy up a space is by adding texture. Plants, whether real or faux, provide instant warmth and structure. Wooden beads are always a good idea, because they are wonderful fillers. So instead of filling the shorter pot with another plant, I stuffed in a few beaded strands. The reclaimed wood surrounding the TV stands alone like a piece of art. Layering anything against the doors is out of the question, because the cabinet is functional. If you have a mirror or piece of art above your narrow mantle, try layering different pieces for added depth and dimension.
I hope this post helped provide easy tips on how to style a narrow mantle. Did you notice the basket on the hearth changed a few times? I can’t decide which one I prefer! Help me out by sharing your opinion in the comments. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wall Color – Frosty White by Sherwin Williams
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Author and photos – Martha Knake
Chief Editor – Emily Schunke
