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A beautifully decorated Christmas mantel is the quintessential holiday décor. It’s one of the best ways to capture the essence and joy of Christmas, after all, it’s one of the first things to welcome Santa into your home! However, getting started can be a little intimidating and it may be difficult to know which colors to use or what kind of decor elements to incorporate. I’m here to help. Here’s how to decorate a beautiful Christmas mantel in 6 steps:
Step 1:
Choose your color theme. There are a million ways to do this but for Christmas, I’m a fan of picking one neutral color, one pop of color, and a metallic. This year, I chose a classic mix of white, red, and silver. For those of you who prefer a more Minimalist or Scandinavian vibe, choose a mix of neutrals with touches of black and wooden elements. Some other beautifully decorated Christmas mantels I’ve seen have used fun pastel candy colors and even all white palettes.
Step 2:
Go through the décor you already have and gather everything that fits into your color scheme. Don’t forget to look at the non-holiday decor in your home as well! For example: The white fur base layer of my Christmas mantel décor is actually a fur throw blanket, and the sugar candle is usually found on my coffee station. Double duty!
Step 3:
Lay out what you already have and determine what you still need. Ask yourself:
- Is there a variety of height in my mantel décor pieces?
- Do I have one or more big anchor pieces?
- Do I need to incorporate more of one color category?
- Is there a variety of textures and materials?
- Is there an element of holiday décor that you’ve seen before and love but don’t currently have?
Once you’ve figured out what you need, go shopping! My favorite places for holiday décor are Hobby Lobby, Amazon, and Christmas Tree Shops and That!
Step 4:
Now it’s time to begin building your masterpiece. Layering is key. Begin with your base layer (a table runner, throw, garland etc.) and build off of that. Feel free to incorporate different textures and visual interest here by laying more than one base layer.
If you’re incorporating lights, lay those down after your base layers. I added string lights in the front as well as the back of my mantel for a cool backlighting effect. Don’t forget about the sides of your mantel! I love letting lights and garland cascade down the sides. However, if you have cats or small children in your house, probably skip the hanging decor…
Step 5:
Add the larger anchor pieces next. When working with one anchor piece, place it in the center. If you have more than one, play around with what looks good. It doesn’t have to be completely symmetrical. After the anchor pieces are set, place the medium pieces and then finish with the small filler pieces (like ornaments).
One cool technique I used this year was to slide risers (these can be whatever you have on hand like little boxes or bowls placed upside-down) under my base layer to create varying heights and focus displays. It was fun to elevate and bring attention to pieces that would normally be lost down in the crowd. The items in the picture below are raised up on a cake platter to make it more of a featured scene.
Step 6:
Lastly, add a few pieces of decor to the wall behind your mantel and to the base of the fireplace for a more cohesive look. I love how pillows and candles add an extra cozy vibe. You can get the cute pillow cover that I used, on Amazon: Farm Fresh Christmas Trees Pillow Cover
That’s it! Now you know how to decorate a beautiful Christmas mantel in 6 steps. Go ahead and plan that holiday party because now your home is dressed to impress! Don’t forget to share/pin this post for others to enjoy!
