How to decorate my fireplace mantle?

Jackie Burns
by Jackie Burns
I have not found an arrangement that I can live with. I'd appreciate your input.
  10 answers
  • FL FL on Jun 13, 2017

    My opinion only...I like the items on the left side of the mantel (candles, books etc) but would get rid of the clock and framed item. I'd also get rid of everything to the right of that: small items and candles, etc, except for the plant and the round little box to the right of the plant. I'd frame the beautiful textile piece and then set it on the mantel in the middle. That's just my humble opinion. Good luck!

  • Pat Pat on Jun 13, 2017

    Too much...simplify. Your tapestry (?) should be framed or stretched over a board to make it more semetrical. Take everything down and off the mantle. Then start putting things back. I would suggest the framed tapestry hanging, the two candles on the left side and the clock on the right side...nothing more. I do like the topiary but it just seems a little tall with the rest of your things. You could put the clock (off the books) between the two candles on one side and the topiary on the other side. You just have to go by trial and error. Three or five things are enough on a mantle.

  • Claire Amirault Claire Amirault on Jun 14, 2017

    Less is always more. I would like to see a focal piece(painting, tapestry, pallet painting, something of your liking) hanging horizontally rather than the vertical pieces you have now. Then just add a few personal pieces that tie in with your wall piece. For instance, if it is a seashore scene that you love, then ad a few nautical item to the mantel. Maybe a few battery candles that run with remote. Good luck...

  • Connie Connie on Jun 14, 2017

    Start with that beautiful textile piece. I likethe feather vase on right and candles on left. The other things are too tiny.

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on Jun 14, 2017

    I have to agree with the "too cluttered" assessment . I would move the clock to another place in the room or house altogether . Put the candle sticks and the topiary on the floor on either side of the fire place . Then remove the rest and slowly put pieces back , moving them around until you find an arrangement pleasing to the eye .

  • AndradeTea AndradeTea on Jun 14, 2017

    If you go to google.com and type in "mantel decor ideas" there are a lot of photos for inspiration. It's such a personal preference, only you can determine the amount of items/arrangement that works for your home and taste.

  • Faith W Little Faith W Little on Jun 14, 2017

    Try this on for sighs: Remove the objects and/or ornamentation

    from surfaces. Yes, all. Clean, empty surfaces. Try it for a month.

    There's no law says you have to keep it that way.


    Look at what's happening: collector objects/pillows/statues, etc.

    everywhere. Each cost money that could have been saved but

    wasn't. By the time you're my age (74) you'll see you spent far

    too much for decorative objects. Try going 'cold turkey' this

    summer.


    When was the last time you read a good biography, technical

    text or historical recital? Stuff on surfaces goes hand-in-hand

    with too much television, too little reading.

  • Jan11063943 Jan11063943 on Jun 15, 2017

    HI! I'm an Interior Designer. Re: your mantle. I would put the red artwork at a horizontal level in the center of the mantle. Then put a good sized object that you love on top of the 3 books off to one side. The lovely retangular clock would look great all by itself on the other side. There are so many small objects that detract from the best looking objects. The small white background artwork should go elsewhere so that the red artwork is the focal point and has more OOMPH being alone and centered. If you leave more space on the mantle and place items as I have mentioned, you will notice those strongest and best looking item more, and it will look updated. Have fun and enjoy your trying new ways to make you mantle more of a focal point. Best wishes, Janis

  • Linda Leath Linda Leath on Jun 15, 2017

    Sometimes less is more. Try removing some items.

    Then think focal point, then add back what you LOVE.

    HAVE FUN.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2021

    I think you have way tooo many objects .. start with big one in the center and then creaate groupings of 5 max on one side