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Fall is such a lovely season to decorate for! I love all the warm colors and textures that make the house feel so cozy. When I decorate for fall, there are a few key places I like to accent – and the fireplace mantel is one of them. Mantels are typically a focal point in a room, so they’re the perfect spot to add a statement. Here are some tips for creating a fall mantel you’ll love.
Decide On a Color Scheme – And Repeat It
Rather than coming up a ‘theme’ for your fall mantel, try incorporating a color scheme that complements the rest of your home. Take your cue from nature and incorporate elements in colors that are attractive in that particular room. Creams, golds, browns, oranges, maroons, plums, and blues are all fantastic colors to use for fall decorating. Choose several that complement your existing decor and tuck them throughout the room.
For instance, if you decide to use orange and beige on your fall mantel, make sure you also have orange and beige in at least two other places around the room. This is called the rule of three. This technique ensures your decor looks thought out and intentional. It also creates a harmony that is pleasing to the eye. You might add orange and cream pillows on your sofa, and a coordinating throw on a chair. Or, orange tapers in your candle holders and cream pampas grass in an orange vase. Repetition is key here.
Texture Is Key In A Fall Mantel
To keep your fall mantel from looking flat and rather one note, make sure you bring in plenty of texture to the arrangement. A line of pumpkins isn’t very attractive on its own, but incorporating leaves, corn husks, antlers, and wooden beads adds great texture and interest. Also try to avoid using all the same shapes in your mantel decor. For instance, don’t use only (round) pumpkins with (round) decorative balls and cylindrical(round) candle sconces, etc etc. This doesn’t create any visual interest. Here are a few of my favorite textural elements to incorporate on a fall mantel:
- Feathers
- Antlers
- Pinecones
- Berries
- Branches
- Driftwood
- Corn Husks
- Seed Pods
Vary Heights
Similar to texture, varying the height of your decor also adds interest. If all of your objects are roughly the same height, come up with ideas to break that up. Consider placing some items on pedestals, books or boxes to raise them up. Incorporate candlesticks or sculptural pieces for height around the arrangement.
No Mantel? No Problem!
What if you don’t have a mantel? That’s okay! All of these design principles apply to tabletop or console decor as well. In fact, since creating a faux tree this year to place on my fireplace hearth, I didn’t decorate my mantel at all. Instead, I chose the decorate the library table next to it.
Design A Fall Mantel That Fits Your Home
Have fun with your fall mantel this season! If you love to decorate with alllll the fall things, go for it! Fill your home with pumpkins, leaves, and cozy blankets. BUT, just because the season is changing doesn’t mean you have to jump on the pumpkin bandwagon. Simply adding a few warmer touches to your decor can be enough to embrace a new season. Elements like brass, wool, and wood lend a subtle suggestion of fall that is also so beautiful. The important thing is to make your decor a reflection of you. Happy Nesting!
