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Fireplace Mantles
by Angela Ceccacci


In most homes, no matter the style, the fireplace is the focal point of a room. It is important to showcase your focal point to its highest potential. A fireplace mantel may be decorated in a variety of ways. Choosing the correct décor to show up your fireplace is important.

Fireplaces were first used for heating the home and cooking--now they are generally used to add a cozy feel to living rooms and bedrooms. Stone, marble and wood are popular choices to frame a fireplace. However, there are many different design options like stucco, mosaic tile and concrete. To maximize the look of an existing fireplace, position a large piece of art above the fireplace and decorate the mantel with smaller objects. Although traditional, a large picture doesn't always have to be hung over a mantel. Instead, consider propping it against the wall.

Furniture placement is also ideal when using the fireplace as your focal point. Remember to position furniture pieces facing the fireplace for a cozy arrangement in any room. If you like the feel of the Victorian look, then add a romantic flower arrangement in pastel colors, a frameless oval mirror, black and white family photos, colored water in crystal glass, candle holders with beaded shades, and/or lace draped to the sides on the fireplace mantel.

Another décor type of fireplace is the Arts and Crafts style. This style can be done using simple-lined and organic accessories, earthly colors like sage, brown and rust, symmetrical with straight lines, and/or natural items like twigs or ivy.

For a 1950's Japanese flair, use atomic and organically shaped accessories, simple symmetry, Hawaiian floral and/or maple wood. If you like the asymmetrical look, remember to consider the color, form and shape of the objects for balance.

Another great way to showcase your mantel is to reflect your personality. Display all your collections and pieces from when you traveled.

Change the décor from season to season. During the spring and summer seasons, use elaborate colorful flowers and fresh decorative garlands. Fresh flowers will dry in about 2 to 3 weeks time, but will last and keep well for 6 to 8 weeks. When using garland, remember to let it hang off the ends of the mantel at least 3 inches. Depending on the look you want, the longer garland will make a statement. During the fall and winter seasons, decorating the fireplace mantel can be fun. For fall, use traditional autumn elements such as pumpkins and squash, wreaths of fall leaves, fall artwork, small antique items. In the winter seasons, use evergreens and holly, raid the toy chest to decorate with a selection of treasured toys from your childhood, tasseled roping, beaded fruits and gilded gift boxes.

There are other non-conventional ways of using fireplace mantels other then above the fireplace. A larger type of mantel can be used to make a headboard. Mantels can also be used as shelves on walls or use small scale mantels to frame a picture or mirror. Your possibilities are endless when using a mantel to decorate your interior.

In most room layouts, the fireplace is meant to be used as the focal point. Take advantage of your fireplace and use it to its max. Accessorize it with your décor type and change it season to season for a new fresh feel. The sky is really the limit when decorating a mantel, even when using a mantel in an un-conventional way.



For more information on where to purchase fireplace mantles, visit the designer resources section of this website.