Decorating a mantle- need some ideas please

Need to know your style, would be best if you could post a picture of the room. There are a thousand ways to do this. Do you have books? Plants? What is over the mantel? A mirror? A picture? Art?

What is your decor aesthetic?

My cabin is rustic cedar logs, I like different heights, candles, mixed patinas with statement art above.

Consignment shops and thrift stores are full of treasures to consider.

This is one of my favorite all time styling household tasks. Our mantelpiece is front in center when you enter our house. I used to also do the wall above it but that got to be a bit much so we have some of my husbands art work there now. Right now I have books on either end and next to them two matching blue glass vases filled with peonies and rhododendron in the center of the wall we have an antique Seth Thomas clock. That is a constant. Your fireplace/mantel are part of your entire decor, so you will probably have a distinctive style for styling your mantelpiece. Here are some of my "looks" Start collecting things to decorate with, from yard sales, Thrift stores, the woods. I use natural things a lot, like the lilacs shown here. Candles, flowers, greens. Hobbies, interests. You need balance and also need to have what looks good with the rest of your decor. The last pic is my daughters log cabin mantel piece. See how differently she must decorate since her house is so different than mine.

Hi, you don't say the length of the mantle or your style, but here are a few eclectic ideas:

1. a large center statement piece such as a large vase or statute; behind it a large mirror. Mirror is flanked by a long tampered candle in a single candle holder
2. On one side of the mantle are three candles in a variety of size and shapes. The other side has a large brass plate on a stand and a large wooden box for matches. Center is a large contemporary painting in colors that suit your furnishings
3. The entire mantle is covered in white candles of different sizes and pictures of family and friends in different sizes but all in silver frames.

What is the style of your house / room? Here are some guides, you can use what you already have. I bet once you start looking around, you will find all sorts of treasures. See if these help!

https://www.bhg.com/decorating/fireplace/mantels/creative-mantel-ideas/

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/decorate-your-mantel-year-round-pictures

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/336010822174650369/

Keep it simple and don't over crowd it. You did not mention if you have a mirror or painting or something above the mantle. You can put candles up if you have nice candle holders, a plant, or a vase or a set of 3 decorations. We have a western theme and an old copper windmill on ours with a ceramic cowboy and a plant between. Some people like a variety of textures like glass, brushed silver, and something pretty like flowers. Any thing you like and have on hand that matches your decor would probably be nice.