Whether you are roasting chestnuts over the open fire or waiting for Santa to come down the chimney, the Christmas season revolves around fireplaces. While those tried and true trinkets lurking in your attic may do the trick, turn up the heat with a new chic mantel display. Because nothing screams “’tis the season” like perfectly placed decorations.
CHOOSE A COLOR SCHEME
Traditional holiday enthusiasts may have a bounty of red and green pieces, but those aren’t the only colors available for decorations. Modernize your mantle by selecting a sophisticated color palette. A white Christmas aesthetic provides a timeless look while ivory and peachy tones can add an unexpected vibrancy to your living room. Metallic tones give off a sense of luxury, and pink can be a great way to sprinkle in some fun. If you are taking a leap with an unconventional color scheme, keep it consistent across all your new holiday decor. Clashing can land you on the naughty list.
STOCK UP
If designing a whole new mantel moment feels overwhelming, start small by upgrading your family’s stockings. Cream and tan knit designs enhance the warmth of the room, while needlepointed velvet stockings add some texture distinction. To get the personalized look without an embroider, create cute gift tags sporting each family member’s name to identify which stocking your kids will dive into come Christmas morning.
EMBRACE VINTAGE FINDS
While a new look may inspire some new purchases, fireplaces can still look fresh with vintage decor. You can always build around the pieces that hold sentimental value, whether that includes a few family heirlooms or a collection of nutcrackers. Repurposing candlesticks and decorative jars will add new levels on a mantel, and spray painting old picture frames to match your selected color scheme allows you to showcase beloved family photos. Plus, a little DIY spirit is a great excuse to work together as a family.
GO WITH GREENERY
We love a good, full strand of garland, but there are a plethora of opportunities to play with greenery when decorating a mantel. Layered strands of silver dollar eucalyptus or pine make for great draping opportunities while magnolia leaves and blue spruce are known for their texture. You can step things up a notch by building a whole floral centerpiece filled with winter buds to sit atop your fireplace. Just add a few lit candles or sparkly lights, and you’ll have a posh focal point on your hands.