Filed under: Your Home, Living Room, Projects
The fire may be delightful, but what about that mishmash of stuff you've arranged on top? Before you get comfy, try these five tips for upgrading your fireplace mantel.
If you've ever had room envy (guilty!), there's a good chance it was spurred on by the presence of a fireplace. It's the natural focal point in any room and the cozy-comfort we're craving this time of year. For many of us, however, the mantel has simply become a stash spot for family photos and the occasional holiday decor. For designers, on the other hand, it's a blank slate with endless potential to make a room sparkle.
Taniya's out-of-the-box mantel decor. Photos: Taniya Nayak
We asked two designers to share their formula for decorating a fireplace mantel stylishly. From scale of your artwork to items that should never sit on top, here's their best advice.
Decluttering the Mantel
"There is no rule" when it comes to how many items to place atop your mantel, says Taniya Nayak, host of HGTV's Destination Design. "Put as many things as you'd like, as long as it tells a story, works with the decor in the rest of your home and doesn't look too cluttered."
Interior designer Kim Myles, the second winner of HGTV's Design Star, agrees that there's no magic number. For her, it's all about curating the space versus using the mantel as a catch-all for overflow items from your shelves. She recommends using the space to show off something special instead. "Treat whatever you choose to display as a vignette -- a gorgeous collection of Italian glass, a single unique sculpture or a selection of beloved books, for example."
Does Size Matter?
It does, Nayak says, and the key is not to dwarf the size of the actual hearth itself. If you are using art, a mirror, or a framed photo, keep it slightly smaller than the opening of the fireplace so that the overall look is not too top heavy.
Myles actually prefers larger pieces, but recommends keeping the scale to two thirds of the size of the fireplace itself. Her other trick of the trade: Arrange three different size pieces in order from large to small.
Curating Your Collection
Nayak loves clusters and layers. Her rule of thumb when clustering is to keep things in groups of three. If you're using candle pillars, for example, try only three.
When all else fails (of if you're just fresh out of ideas), both designers say that one large mirror is a foolproof choice. "It is clean, simple, and adds depth to the room," Nayak says.
Myles fancies hers up by choosing one that's vintage, etched or has an unusual shape. "A standard plain frame isn't going to work as hard as it should," she says.
Be Different and Be You
Each designer has their signature element for mantel decor and it's just as easy to channel yours. Nayak's favorite is branches. She picks them right out of her yard, spray paints them in a white lacquer (vibrant yellow works well for a Mod room or metallic for a more glam-ornate style). Then she lays them across the mantel or sets them upright in a vase -- anything goes.
Myles has a thing for collections. She once displayed fifteen Buddha statues that a client had gathered over the years. In other homes she uses fresh flowers. "I love the look of 3 vases in the same color family but of varying heights that are each stuffed with peonies," she says.
Anything Goes. Or Does It?
There are lots of things around your home that you can use to deck your mantel, but a flat screen TV should not be one of them, Myles says. "It's just a huge black hole when the TV is off, and it really wastes and opportunity for a charming, individualized display."
Nayak says to be aware that what's on the mantel is always visible. That means it needs to be at least a little bit cohesive and laid out with some intent (as opposed to dropped there randomly). "Remember that the mantel tends to be a primary focal point in the room and can make quite a statement. So...make a statement!"
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