22 Fall Mantel Decor Ideas For A Festive Display

Barnyard Elegance

Sara Hedstrom Pinnell Walland, TN Cabin Outdoor Living Room on Porch — Photo: Helen Norman; Styling: Jeff Minnich

A crafty Southern-inspired mantel is complete with barnyard boards, backyard sticks, and autumn foliage. The neutral palette of this rustic space allows it to stay displayed for many months. By the time the Christmas season begins, you might never want to change this look.

02 of 22

Stick To Harvest Colors

Cabin Living Room with Stone Fireplace and White Walls — Marta Xochilt Perez; Styling: Page Mullins

This fall mantel idea is simple, sophisticated and stylish. Just use red, orange, and brown hues to create an elegant display of harvest colors above your fireplace. You'll find the vibrant flames will accentuate your choices.

03 of 22

Fashion A Pumpkin Patch

Transform Your Mantel for Halloween — Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Using pumpkins is an excellent approach to creating a traditional fall mantel display. Add other earthy elements that you might find foraging in a pumpkin patch, or amp up the spookiness factor for Halloween. Don't forget that you can find pumpkins in multiple sizes and colors.

04 of 22

Mix Unexpected Elements

Boxwood Garland with Ribbon and Flowers Around Fireplace Mantel — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller and Elly Poston Cooper

While apples are usually the face of the fall season, we can't forget about pears. It's a timeless design using unexpected fall elements. Choose earthy colors that can complement a floral bouquet or other decor stored on the mantel.

05 of 22

Get Spooky

Halloween fireplace — Liudmila Chernetska/Getty

Use some of your favorite Halloween decorations to make a festive fireplace mantel. This decorating display is ideal for any planning a Halloween party because you'll only need to set it up once. If you have a mirror or hanging artwork about the fireplace, drape some scary gauze over it to make your house look haunted.

06 of 22

Forage For A Woodsy Mantel

Sophisticated & Natural — Erica George Dines

This understated display highlights the natural beauty of the fall season. If you're hoping for a woodsy and classic fall-inspired mantle idea, this is for you. Add foliage, pine cones, seasonal produce, and wood logs for a visually eclectic mix.

07 of 22

Switch It Up

Orange & Berry Mantel — Robbie Caponetto

Oranges and berries are a delightful combination. They add a bit of variety to the typical fall mantel while staying true to the season's spirit. Adding pine cones or needles to the display helps balance the traditional elements from the new additions.

08 of 22

Incorporate Wicker

Idea House 2020 Screened Porch with Outdoor Stone Fireplace — Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kendra Surface

You can even recycle an old wicker basket or place mat to get this look! Hang a shallow wicker basket above your mantle with a few pieces of greenery and watch as it transforms into a lovely rustic design. The neutral background creates an empty canvas for your autumnal decor.

09 of 22

Keep It Timeless

You can never go wrong with timeless fall decor. Flaunt your fireplace and mantle by trimming it with pumpkins, leaves, and gorgeous greenery. When you hear the fire crackling next to your new display, you are ready for your first mug of hot cider.

10 of 22

Add Rustic Wreaths

2022 Idea House screened outdoor living room — PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREY W. GLENN; STYLING BY KENDRA SURFACE

Wreaths aren't only for the front door. Try hanging a harvest-inspired wreath above your fireplace mantel for a complete rustic feel. The wreath can stay through winter if you switch out the trimmings.

11 of 22

Focus On Artwork

Neutral Pumpkin Mantel Decor — Van Chaplin

Instead of looking for the perfect harvest garland, try finding a piece of artwork that harmonizes with the room while bringing festive energy to the space. Using neutral-colored pumpkins allows for more focus on the painting above the fireplace. Try finding art to enhance the calming effect of the fireplace, as most look for comfort when sitting near a fire.

12 of 22

Accent With Candles

Fireplace Decorated with Garland, Ribbon, and Lemons — Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lilt Floral Design

What's the best way to add a delicate and warm accessory to a fall mantel? Add some fall-scented candles, of course! Make sure to mix-and-match styles and sizes for an effortless look. Use candle holders to play with dynamics and prop up your favorite scents.

13 of 22

Hang A Seasonal Garland

We love this garland made with colorful maze. Take this opportunity to DIY a stunning wall or banister hanging with your favorite fall finds. This might include leaves, dried flowers in darker colors, or anything that might reflect harvest time.

14 of 22

Create A Coastal Compromise

The Paxton Mantel in Thomasville, GA — Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

If you live near the ocean, decorating with traditional harvest leaves might feel a little inauthentic. Remedy this by swapping pumpkins for another classic food–an orange. Adding a hint of festivity to a mantle can transform it into a holiday centerpiece without overloading it with decor that does not match your home.

15 of 22

Match The Centerpiece

Mantlepiece Arrangement — Photo: Helen Norman

When decorating, remember the rule of thumb that no one feature stands alone. Match your mantel decor to other seasonal additions in the space for a gorgeous integrated look. You want the eye to find interest in your design, by not having any one element dominate the composition.

16 of 22

Dry It Down

Grouped Items Fall decor — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Produced: Kathleen Varner

Take cues from this display of dried out seasonal goodies. Rather than lush greens, in the fall, opt for dried cinnamon sticks and pampas grass. The choices are many, if you are spending time outside trying to source the best elements for your mantel.

17 of 22

Remember: There's No Such Thing As Too Lush

Lush Mantel Swag — Photo: Emily J. Followill

Bring on the greenery! Layer on the plants, pine cones, and whatever else you can get your hands on. Sometimes, bigger is in fact better, especially if your fireplace has an especially large scale to it.

18 of 22

Show Off For Hunting Season

Off Kilter Garland for Christmas — Laurey W. Glenn

Flaunt the prize from your most recent hunting trip and frame it for emphasis. Antlers offer a can't-miss opportunity to hang a fall wreath. Once that is done, decide where your garland needs to be in order to strike the best balance.

19 of 22

Turn Up The Heat

Living room hearth — photographs by LAUREY W. GLENN styling by BUFFY HARGETT MILLER

Lean into those warm tones. Show out in festive flair with red, yellow, and orange foliage, fruits, and florals. We love the idea of apples in a clear cylinder with fall leaves added for just a touch of further fall vibrance.

20 of 22

Get Painting

Fancy Pumpkin Display — Photo by: Helen Norman

DIY is often the best way to go, especially when you want to create a family project. Gather the kids and get artistic with some paint and pumpkins. Then, display your embellished bounty for all to see.

21 of 22

The Holy Trinity

Simple 10-Minute Rustic Fall Matel — Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

To decorate your mantel for fall, call on the holy trinity: pumpkins, foliage, and candles, of course. Get creative in combining the three, and you're set for the season. Your friends will wonder how you manage to act on those creative impulses and pull it off so well.

22 of 22

Spell It Out

"Give Thanks" fireplace display — holicow/Getty

If you're hoping to be more crafty with your mantel display, a DIY project can be in your future. Create a lettered pumpkin display, find, purchase, or create letters to adhere to the pumpkins. Surround this word art with autumn leaves, and you'll have a masterpiece.

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