The fireplace has always been a beloved object, present in older houses as in the most modern ones. It is the very symbol of family, capable of warming the house like the hearts of those who live there. It also represents an important piece of furniture, which can add style and beauty to an environment. To do this, however, it is necessary to think about how to furnish and decorate the surface above – eg. Mantel – so as to integrate the fireplace with the furniture and atmosphere of the room. Here are some ways to do it: find the mantel decor that suits you best and enjoy!
1. Mantel decor with reflective surfaces
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Our first mantel decorating idea is that of using a beautiful mirror. The fireplace is an excellent focal point of the house and a good way to reiterate this is to put a reflective surface on it. From the same spot, light and heat will arrive and spread throughout the room, with the strength of a hug. The living room will appear larger and have an extra touch of elegance.
Balance the tone of the room with a large mirror with an audacious frame if the rest of the furniture is sober; do the opposite to dampen a “noisy” environment.
2. Exhibit your art pieces
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Those who love art know two things well: how important it is to find the place that best values it, and that they want to admire it at any time of the day. The space above the fireplace seems to be made just for that. It is in fact a delimited and well-defined space, waiting to be completed according to the taste of the home owner: perfect for hosting a sculpture, a painting or neon-art.
When you want to take advantage of the surface above the fireplace to display a work of art, don’t forget to set up spotlights to illuminate it in the best possible way.
3. Create a corner of natural elements
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It often happens that the fireplace is no longer functional or in use: in this case it lends itself perfectly to hosting above (but also next to or below) plants with jagged leaves or even colorful succulents. Green enlivens the environment and adds warmth, inviting relaxation and comfort.
Don’t make the mistake of placing only one vase above your mantel, even if it is large. Plants also love company and by combining two or more, with different foliage, you will get a nice mix and achieve an interesting effect.
4. Collect memories
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That’s what you would probably call a traditional mantel décor. The fireplace is almost always closed at the top by a large shelf, an excellent support surface for collecting personal memories. That’s a perfect spot to place souvenirs from travels, family heirloom or collectibles found over many years of research and which have the ability to furnish and decorate the environment with personality.
Every collection deserves a place of honor above the fireplace, but be careful to arrange it correctly. Position the objects in such a way as to create harmonic compositions of colors and dimensions, calibrating full and empty spaces as in a painting.
5. Emphasize the space
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The space above the fireplace can be used to give rhythm to the wall and define the surfaces. Just emphasize the dimensions of the fireplace by making it continue upwards. In this way, the space above the fireplace will be decorated while furnishing the entire room at the same time. Breaking the monotonous continuity of a large wall will in fact make the environment more intimate and dynamic.
When the coplanarity of the surface is interrupted, use the same color as the rest of the wall: the gaze will flow fluid and the environment will appear larger.
6. Liven the room up with contrasts
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Sometimes, furnishing a room with taste involves the risk of a somewhat flat result, devoid of energy. The focus is in fact on harmonic chromatic palettes which must however be enhanced with a breaking element. Once again, the fireplace is a valuable ally and offers a surface to be enhanced with a vibrant color spot that highlights the calmness of the neutral tones of the furniture.
Breaking the monotony with color does not necessarily mean choosing one that is foreign to the environment. In fact, it is enough to choose a color already present in the room but opting for a different and brighter shade.
7. Decorate with color
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Use colors to highlight the fireplace. Choosing a saturated color or a vibrant hue can help make the fireplace the focal point of the room. The space above it will become the frame of the fireplace, giving it a strong character and attracting the eye to it.
Try to use dark but warm colors, be bold in your choice of paint: if you paint a small surface you will not take away the light from the environment, which will be intimate and original. This definitely is the way to go if you are looking for a unique mantel décor.
8. Surprise yourself by experimenting with your creativity
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Finally, use that small space above the fireplace to make it your altar. In spite of every rule, play with it by decorating it and furnishing it with everything that inspires you and that reminds you that this is your home. Who says that mix & match is not an elegant and winning décor idea?
Break the rigor of the room with a touch of eccentricity and irony and make yourself smile.
9. Nothing. Leave it unadorned
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To emphasize the fireplace and the quality of the environment, sometimes the choice to make is to add nothing. It can, in fact, be the right chose in two cases: when the fireplace is inside a minimal space, with simple lines and “clean” furnishings, and when, on the contrary, the fireplace is in a richly decorated room. The golden rule “less is more” applies.
Leaving the surface that houses the fireplace bare does not mean giving up in making it the protagonist. Work on the nearby walls, with bright colors or furnishings and, on the other hand, you will give strength to the fireplace.
10. Shabby chic mantel
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If you love the shabby chic style, here is a brilliant and very simple idea to make to embellish your fireplace during the summer. A colorful flower garland will add freshness to your living room, while small lanterns, elegant candles and jars will decorate the mantel in an instant.
11. Modern mantel
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Here’s a nice idea to use it as a decorative element for your fireplace in the summer: take a few small logs, color the ends and arrange the wood inside the fireplace (or the fireplace frame) to create a fresh and colorful chromatic composition. To complete the work, play with colors even when you choose the accessories to place on the mantel and your fireplace will become decidedly glamorous!
If you prefer, you can also use candles, as shown in the picture above: it will be a wonderful modern mantel decoration.
12. Contemporary mantel
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If you love contemporary style, here is an inspiration to decorate the fireplace and make it an integral part of the house in the blink of an eye. Inside the decorative frame of the fireplace, insert a stack of magazines sorted by color, while with a design chair and a vase of flowers you can complete a minimalist and contemporary-inspired setting. As you can see in this photo, less is more: few elements and particular materials (such as copper) will be enough to create something amazing!
It’s your turn! Which of these proposals struck you the most? And you, how did you enhance your fireplace?
13. Faux boho-chic fireplace
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Do you have a passion for ethnic details and for the combinations of different styles? A boho-chic style faux fireplace is what you need for your home. If you are wondering how to decorate an unused fireplace, we bring you the solution. Use unlit candles (preferably of different sizes), plants and some bohemian accessories or decorative elements, which will turn your fireplace into a small masterpiece.
14. Library fireplace
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We close this collection of inspirations to beautify the fireplace with a really nice and original idea: the fireplace transformed into a bookcase! You can reinterpret this home decor trend in many different ways: by adding internal shelves to the fireplace (or fireplace frame) and creating a small miniature library, or you can simply stack your books on top of each other. Fascinating and very special, don’t you think?!
Now it’s up to you! What is your favorite style and which idea will you choose to decorate your fireplace and the mantel above it?
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