5 things to include in your fall mantel decorating

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Fall Mantel Decorating Must Haves

Do you follow a Fall mantel decorating formula?

Sometimes I hesitate to say “formula” when explaining this to people because it implies that the end result will be some kind of cookie-cutter, unoriginal display. But hear me out…

When you’re feeling overwhelmed starting something that you aren’t confident doing (which, for many people includes decorating), it can be helpful to have a starting point to work from. A basic set of guidelines to help you get started.

And that’s why I love formulas. They’re like design “recipes.” When you follow a recipe, you can choose the exact brand and flavor of your ingredients. You can even tweak the recipe to suit your own personal style and taste (a little extra vanilla? Why not?). But you follow the general steps and types of ingredients to get a predictable result.

That’s how I like to teach clients to approach decorating. Start with a basic plan and adjust accordingly. That’s where the creativity comes in!

If you want to give it a try, here are some of the ingredients you might include when decorating your fall mantel.

Fall Mantel Decorating Formula

1. AN Earthy, Pottery Style Vase

An earthy, pottery style vase in a muted fall color is a great place to begin your Fall mantel decorating. Choose a tall narrow shape that fits the depth of your mantel and shoot for a height of 12-24″ for the most impact. Fill it with 3-5 faux fall foliage stems or clip some pretty seasonal branches from your backyard (see below).

You can often find great pottery at local craft fairs or thrift stores if you’re looking for something original and budget friendly. Or you can shop a my current picks from from my LTK store.

2. A set of candlesticks

Candlesticks add height to your mantel display. If you place a tall vase on the LEFT side of the mantel, I suggest balancing that out with a trio of taper candles in candlesticks on the opposite side.

A set of 3 is a safe bet, but you can also play around with two larger pillar candles or even a single candle in a hurricane vase if you want to mix it up.

I LOVE thrifting vintage candle holders throughout the year, so I rarely have to buy them, however if you like a vintage look but don’t have time to thrift, this set is a great find.

I also don’t think you can go wrong with a basic black set like this one.

There are so many gorgeous candlestick options out there, including fun seasonal patterns and unique shapes/colors. Last year, I purchased a neutral battery operated set and have been really happy with them. They turn on automatically in the evenings for a nice glow when watching tv and I can use them all year long- highly recommend!

3. Sculptural pumpkins

I’ve been grabbing a couple of these every year for the past decade and have amassed a pretty great collection! If you stick to neutral colors in a mix of textures, you can mix and match your collection in so many different ways.

Here are the types of pumpkin decor to focus on:

• Ceramic pumpkins – I usually grab one or two at Target each year, they always have a good selection
• Glass pumpkins – These are so pretty with fairy lights inside or a tealight candle
• Terracotta pumpkins – There are lots of tutorials online for DIYing this look…
• Metallic (brass or nickel) pumpkins – This one can store candy- shhh…..
• Woven pumpkins – (natural materials like rattan or grapevine)
• Fabric pumpkins – (velvet, crochet, etc.)
• Wood pumpkins – (natural stain or painted)

If your collection grows too large for you mantel you can use these almost anywhere. Place a few on your entry table, tuck them on open shelves, add one to a book stack on your coffee table, or place one on your toilet tank in the powder bathroom!

4. Vintage Finds (with Patina!)

Here’s where your unique collections can shine through and make your Fall mantel decorating feel more personal.

Whenever I see a set of leather bound books at a garage sale, thrift store or estate sale, I ALWAYS buy them. Sets of books are great for adding personality to mantles and bookshelves. You can stack them vertically (left) or turn them on their side to add some height and interest to your styling vignette (right). You can also look for linen sets that match your home’s color palette.

Other vintage elements I love to include:

• Framed maps
• Interesting oil paintings or watercolor landscapes
• Black and white sketches or etchings (the more aged the better)
• Metal sculptural items (birds, bronze scupltures, etc.)
• Vintage mirrors

5. Natural Elements

If you haven’t incorporated some natural elements by this point in your decorating, now’s the time!

Branches/Garlands

As I mentioned above, these can be faux (use year after year!) or simply pretty branches clipped from the garden. If you’re looking for some non-cheesy faux options, check out my picks here.

Pinecones

These are readily available outside in many areas (have your kids collect them!) but I really love to grab a bag of the cinnamon scented ones from a local craft store.

You can also find more elevated vase fillers that incorporate other dried botanicals into the mix.

Rocks/Stones

I’ve always loved collecting pretty rocks. I put them in clear vases and bowls around the house. Why not include some in your Fall mantel decorating?

Visit a local crystal shop for a mineral specimen that speaks to you (or find one online!) This is a unique way to personalize your mantel with something that speaks to you.

Shop Fall Mantel Decorating Picks

I hope these ideas help get your creativity flowing! If you use these Fall mantel decorating ideas in your own home this year, I’d love to see a photo of what you create. Send a pic to suzette@suzettegebhardt.com!

Thanks for stopping by the blog.

xoxo,