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When it comes to decking the halls, the mantel is just as important as the Christmas tree. It’s often the focal point of the living room, and it’s where the stockings hang and the family gathers on Christmas morning.
From fresh greenery and candlesticks to bottlebrush trees, vintage signs, and twinkle lights, there are countless ways to style a mantel for the season. Below, you’ll find our favorite Christmas mantel decor ideas, from simple and minimal to rustic and over the top, along with the source of each one. Start with our quick tips for decorating a mantel, then scroll to the end for answers to common questions.
Tell Us: What decorations do you use to showcase your mantel for the Christmas season? Which one of these most inspired you to try something new? Let us know in the Comments below!
How to Decorate a Christmas Mantel
- Start with garland. Drape it along the full length of the mantel and let the ends hang down the sides. Fluffing each branch of a faux garland and tucking in a few fresh stems makes it look fuller.
- Hang it without nails. Adhesive hooks hold garland securely and peel off cleanly after the holidays. Weighted stocking holders work well if you’d rather not attach anything to the mantel at all.
- Add something tall above it. A mirror, artwork, wreath, or sign gives the whole arrangement a focal point.
- Mix up the heights. Set tall candlesticks and small trees beside lower pieces like ornaments, pinecones, and bowls so the eye moves across the mantel.
- Choose a color palette. Two or three colors, like green and gold or blue and silver, keep the look pulled together.
- Finish with lights and stockings. Weave battery-operated string lights through the garland, then hang stockings evenly along the front.
1. Elegant Mantel
To create this beautiful mantel, you will need faux or real garland (Trader Joe’s has fresh greenery), eucalyptus stems to mix into the greenery, and twinkle lights. Hang some knit stockings, wooden bead garland, wool ball garland, and tie in some black velvet ribbon. Some pinecones will add a fresh touch to your mantel. Layer in candles, Christmas artwork, and small trees. Command hooks were used to hang all of the garland. Get the full tutorial at the provided link. (via The Design Twins)
2. Festive Christmas Porch Mantel
This one takes it outdoors to a porch fireplace mantel, which is adorned with garland, small trees, stockings, and wooden stars. The vintage-inspired holiday sign on the mantel is from @jadeforestdecor. A decorated Christmas tree adds an extra focal point to this cozy outdoor space. This same inviting look can also be used on your indoor mantel. For more outdoor inspiration, see our front porch Christmas decorating ideas. (via @beyond_gray)
3. Cozy & Warm Mantel
This cozy living room has a romantic feel with the flower painting on the mantel and vase of flowers on the coffee table. Adorning the fireplace mantel are ombre bottlebrush trees, candles, fresh green garland, wood bead garland and stockings. The mirror is from @anthropologie. (via @toni_marianna)
4. Add A Focal Point
This mantel is decked out with garland intertwined with white ornaments, with a row of stockings hanging below. An old window affixed with a festive wreath makes a great focal point. (via @cottagesandbungalows)
5. Fresh Mantel Greenery
This fireplace mantel is beautiful, simple, and cozy. The mantel features different styles of fresh custom pine, mixed with fresh magnolia, mandarin oranges, pears, and pinecones. Layer in some candlesticks for a warm glow, a romantic mirror, and stockings. (via @leaholsonstyle)
6. Twinkle Lights
String lights on your mantel add a magical glow to your garland. This mantel features natural elements foraged from around the property, including magnolia leaves, fresh pine boughs, and pinecones. A cascade of rustic bells hangs down the side of the mantel. The decor is from Hobby Lobby, Etsy, Kirkland’s, and West Elm. (via @azurefarm)
7. A Country Christmas Mantel
This rustic Christmas mantel is beautiful yet simple, with garland (real or faux), poinsettias, and twinkle lights for some sparkle. Layer in some wood bead garland for some added texture. (via @laurenliess)
8. Fresh Holiday Vibes
This sophisticated mantel features an antique mirror and candlesticks. Garlands with pinecones provide a festive holiday touch for family gatherings around the fireplace. (via @traditionalhome)
9. Silver & Blue Mantel Decor
Try a color theme for your mantel decor and pull these colors into the rest of your living room. Fresh greenery adorns the mantel, with blue and silver ornaments for a touch of holiday sparkle. This same color palette is found in the beautiful stockings hung in front of the fireplace. (via @amymorrisinteriors)
10. Christmas in the Forest
Adorning this mantel is a mix of wild, whimsical, and traditional, including natural elements that have been foraged: fresh holly, grapevines, princess pine, pinecones, and pomegranates. Layered into the natural elements are French velvet ribbons, an antique Federal mirror, candlesticks and books. A vintage toboggan leans up against the fireplace for the finishing touch. (via @leaholsonstyle)
11. Festive and Cozy
This beautiful holiday mantel is trimmed with garland and complemented by ombre bottlebrush trees and charming gingerbread houses. A simple lighted tree accents the fireplace to complete the festive holiday look. (via @styleathome)
12. A Christmas Village
This festive mantel features a layering of fresh garland and twine strung with various silver ornaments. The trees on the mantel are from Hobby Lobby. Layered between the garland are a trio of mirrors from @decorsteals. A snowy Christmas village fills the fireplace — each of the little buildings was handmade out of cardboard and balsa wood. (via @toni_marianna)
13. A Sparkly Christmas Mantel
The lighted garland adorning the mantel is from @afloral. A large branch is used to hang the stockings that are from @homegoods. The holiday signs are from @the.little.bird. The lighted flocked trees in the boxes and the trees on the mantel are from @purplerosehome. Suspended from the ceiling, the lighted sparkling snowflakes are from Walmart. (via @house.becomes.home)
14. Cozy Winter Wonderland
Traditional pine bough garland drapes across the fireplace mantel. The hanging knit stockings are adorned with wooden stocking tags from @woodenthatbesomethin. The stocking holders are from @antiquefarmhouse. Set atop the mantel with an attached wreath, the wooden artwork is from @millcityworkshop. The flocked tree in a basket is from Walmart, while the Mistletoe pillow is from HomeGoods. (via @diapersanddecor)
15. Classic Holiday Mantel
Winter greens and cheery ribbons adorn the mantel along with festive twinkle lights for some holiday sparkle. Above the mantel, a collection of botanicals cleverly conceals the television. (via @traditionalhome)
16. Draped in Greenery
This stunning mantel is brimming with gorgeous florals tucked into the greenery and magnolia leaves. Layered behind the garland is a mirror and artwork. A floral arrangement is repeated on the coffee table. (via @styleathome)
17. Minimalist Mantel Decor
This clean and fresh mantel features seasonal details such as winter white stockings, fresh evergreen boughs, and magnolia leaves. Nestled into the garland are gold candlesticks. An ethereal foggy artwork is set above the mantel. (via @thecuratedhouse)
18. Farmhouse Style Christmas Mantel
This warm, cozy, and inviting space features a large sign above the mantel, flocked pine bough garland, white-lighted trees, and white stockings. Similar handmade holiday signs can be found on Etsy. For more ideas in this style, see our rustic farmhouse Christmas collection. (via @ashleymariesavage)
19. Most Wonderful Time of the Year
This beautiful fireplace mantel is adorned with garland, berries, pinecones, and silver bells. Ribbon and beaded garland add a layered look. The “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” sign on the wall above the mantel was sourced from @tealbarnsigns. (via Karrah Judd / Pinterest)
Christmas Mantel Decorating FAQs
How long should garland be for a mantel?
For garland that runs straight across with the ends hanging down the sides, measure the mantel and add one to two feet for each side. If you want swags that dip between hooks, plan on roughly twice the mantel’s length.
Is it safe to decorate a mantel you use for fires?
Keep garland, ribbon, and stockings well away from the firebox opening, and take stockings down before lighting a fire. Battery-operated candles and string lights are a safer choice than open flames near dry greenery.
How do you decorate a mantel with a TV above it?
Keep the decor low so it doesn’t block the screen. Run garland along the front edge and place taller pieces, like small trees or candlesticks, at the ends. A frame-style TV can also display holiday artwork, and idea #15 shows how a collection of botanical prints can hide the screen completely.
How long does fresh garland last indoors?
Most fresh garland stays green for two to three weeks inside, though heat from a fireplace or nearby vent dries it out faster. Misting it with water every few days helps. Fir and pine usually hold up longer than cedar.
How do you make faux garland look real?
Spread out every branch so there are no flat spots, then tuck in fresh clippings like cedar or eucalyptus, as in idea #1. Pinecones, berries, and a few loops of ribbon add depth and hide any gaps. For more inspiration, see our Christmas garland decorating ideas.
Can you decorate a mantel without a fireplace?
Yes. A faux mantel, a floating shelf, or a console table can all hold garland, candles, and stockings. Idea #2 even takes the look outdoors to a porch fireplace.
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