Spring Mantel Decor: Seasonal Styling Ideas for the Family Room
In this post: Looking for ways to bring spring decor into your home? These spring mantel decor ideas will bring an elegant seasonal feel to your home.⇒
It’s a funny thing about spring decor.
I’ve been decorating for autumn since I was a child, and holiday decor is of course ubiquitous, but when it comes to spring, I’ve mostly focused my efforts on planting outdoors.
It’s actually curious that I’ve ignored this season inside my home, when the soft light colors and ever-present flowers are exactly what I love most in decorating a home.
Recently, I decided it’s time to change that and celebrate this most optimistic of seasons around my home. The first spot that jumped out at me was the family room mantel and that’s where I decided to focus my attention first.
Spring Mantel Decor
The mantel offers a unique opportunity to pull out all the stops. Where else in the home can you get away with this much concentrated styling? Typically, my seasonal decorating is limited to pillows tossed here and there, fresh flowers and seasonal motifs scattered on tables and in small vignettes, and some additional areas treated with a light touch.
But you can really go all-in when it comes to the mantel. Perhaps it’s because of its small size or its natural position as a focal point, but the mantel is unlike decorating almost any other spot in the home.
To be fair, a long narrow console table can be treated in much the same way and is a great alternative if you don’t have a fireplace. But apart from that, the mantel is a fairly unique landscape to decorate.
Let’s look at tips and ideas for styling a mantel for spring.
The Setting
Our mantel itself is a lovely piece we added a few years back. I enjoy its classic lines and traditional detailing and it seems to work with many different looks. The gorgeous French antique mirror that sits above it is a favorite acquisition of mine since we moved into this house. The pairing gives me an elegant backdrop, yet the vintage aspects lend the freedom to work well with rustic elements, too. I always begin by clearing everything else away.
Pick Your Centerpiece First
While the true inception of styling takes place in my head, where I determine color and concept, once I get moving I tend to work from the center outwards. So, I like to establish the centerpiece first, which typically defines the overall look.
In this case I went with lush hydrangeas in a nature-inspired palette, and placed them in a distressed urn atop a bleached wood box. I very much wanted to tap into the mix of casual with elegance, utilizing timeworn components playing off the many natural bits and bobs.
Add Eggs in a Jewel Box
In building this vignette, I wanted to underscore the renewal that spring represents, so I used softly toned eggs to complement my color palette and tucked them into one of my vintage boxes. The sit disobediently on a bed of moss, spilling over in a playful way. The gilded box provides one of several contrasts with the more bucolic elements in the mantelscape.
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Include Low Aromatic Florals
Among my absolute favorite flowers are hyacinths, which I buy the second they’re available for their intoxicating scent. I find myself lingering in any room they’re placed in, because I simply can’t get enough of them. I inserted them into these delightful flower jars that have a sweet French country spin.
To add interest to my mantel composition, I pay attention to the heights of the various pieces, ensuring they rise and fall in almost melodic fashion. Typically, the tallest items are at the outer ends and in the center, so I use the area between them for shorter elements. I don’t always stay strictly symmetrical, and this mantel is no exception, but I do ensure there’s harmony and balance. If one piece is tilted this way, the next one is a bit more askew. I never want my vignettes to look forced or rigid.
Fill in with Twiggy Nests
I’m enchanted by notion of nests for their representation of nature and for their rugged character. What I particularly love about this little sample, above, is how the rustic twiggy bits contrast with the gilded mirror it rests against.
I’m a huge fan of such incongruities because they emphasize the unique essence of the varied objects. Put a grouping of similar objects next to each other and you tend to perceive the group as a whole rather than as individual items. Contrast forces the eye to recognize distinct identity.
You can also nestle these malleable nests into crevices to fill out your display, so they are quite versatile.
Flank Your Display with Tall Branches
Flanking the mantel on opposite ends, I placed these shapely amphora vases and topped them off with tall white cherry blossom branches. They add dramatic height to the outer ends without bulk or heaviness.
Draped over an edge of one of the rustic vases is a nestlike candle ring decorated with eggs, which ties all the imagery together.
Tuck in Rustic Resin Birds
With eggs and a nest present, sweet little birds can’t be far behind. These chippy wooden pieces are exactly what was called for and the mossy orb behind them is another nod toward reawakening nature.
They are a small bonus that you might miss at first glance, but they are charming nonetheless.
Place an Accent Chair with Floral Pillow Nearby
Next to the fireplace we keep a pretty tufted wingback chair and here it’s dressed with a blue floral print pillow. The pattern picks up the colors that are accented on the mantel, but all are used in limited fashion. I stayed mostly neutral, using lots of white and natural tones, and the blues and greens are relatively subtle.
In this pulled back view, you can see the detail of the delicately carved mirror, which when viewed in this seasonal context, one can notice the vine-y florals laced around the frame.
The full view of the mantel is quite upbeat, the reason I love spring so much in the first place.
More Tips for Styling a Spring Mantel
- Embrace Nature’s Palette: Spring is all about vibrant greens, soft pastels, and floral hues. Incorporate these colors through items like vases, candles, or artwork.
- Incorporate Fresh Flowers and Greenery: Nothing says spring like fresh blooms and lush greenery. Use a mix of heights and textures to add depth. If fresh flowers aren’t an option, high-quality faux plants and flowers can be just as stunning.
- Use Textural Elements: Baskets, woven mats, or textured ceramics can add depth and interest to your mantel arrangement. These elements bring a cozy feel that’s perfect for the still-chilly early spring days.
- Light It Up: Incorporate a string of fairy lights or lanterns to add a warm glow during the evenings. This creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
- Keep It Personal: Include personal touches like family photos in spring-themed frames or handmade items. This makes your spring mantel uniquely yours.
- Scented Candles or Diffusers: Choose fragrances that evoke spring, like lilac, jasmine, or fresh linen, to add a sensory layer to your decor.
- Use Seasonal Fruits: Display a bowl or a hurricane vase filled with lemons, limes, or colorful Easter eggs. This adds a pop of color and a natural element to your mantel.
- Incorporate Vintage Finds: Flea market finds like old watering cans, vintage books in soft pastels, or antique frames can add character and a story to your spring display.
- Hang a Spring Wreath: Above or on the mantel, a wreath full of spring flowers or greenery can be a beautiful focal point that draws the eye.
- Create a Mini Garden: Use small planters with herbs or succulents to create a mini garden on your mantel. This adds life and a touch of greenery that’s perfect for spring.
- Display a Collection: Group together seasonal items like ceramic bunnies, vintage birdhouses, or colored glass bottles for a themed display that feels intentional and curated.
- Add a Pop of Color with Books: Stack books with colorful spines or cover them in vibrant spring-themed paper to add a quick and easy pop of color.
- Use Fabric Accents: Drape a lightweight spring scarf or fabric runner along the mantel to add texture and color. Choose fabrics with floral prints or spring colors for an extra touch of the season.
- Layer with Varying Heights: Create visual interest by using decor items of different heights. Start with taller items like candlesticks or vases at the ends and work towards the center with shorter items.
- Add a Mirror or Artwork: Anchor your mantel display with a central piece such as a mirror to reflect light or a piece of spring-themed artwork to set the mood.
- Incorporate Seasonal Decor: Think Easter eggs, birds, nests, or bunnies for a touch of whimsy and seasonality. These can be subtle nods to spring that can still blend seamlessly with the rest of your decor.
- Play with Symmetry and Asymmetry: Experiment with both symmetrical and asymmetrical arrangements to see what best suits your style and mantel size. Sometimes an off-center arrangement can feel more dynamic and interesting.
- Refresh Regularly: Don’t be afraid to swap out elements or add new finds throughout the season. Keeping the display fresh will maintain its appeal and interest.
I derived such pleasure from arranging this mantel vignette that I can’t imagine I will ever overlook this charming season again.
This is, after all, precisely what decorating the home is all about. We embellish our surroundings to give us joy and help us celebrate the small moments.
What better way is there to slow down time?
Resource Guide
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Lori, I am in love with how your Spring mantel came out~its beautiful, I love the mix of rustic and luxe and the French details.
Thanks so much, Amy! So glad you mentioned the rustic because I’ve been making an effort to get more patina and rusticity in my home. I love antiques and I’m trying to avoid a ‘too buttoned-up’ look, but I tend to lean towards polish. Trying to relax it up a little more. It’s a work in progress… 😉
It all looks so beautiful, Lori! So fresh and feminine and elegant. I love your style.
love and blessings for a wonderful Easter!
Lynda @ Gates of Crystal
Thank you so much, Lynda! I so appreciate your frequent visits and that you take the time to comment… 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
It’s gorgeous, as usual!! Those two blue and white vases are just STUNNING!!!! xo
Thanks so much, Amanda! They from Tina at the Enchanted Home. I love her shop… 🙂
Lory…as always, a most beautiful and elegant mantel! The clock is exquisite and loving those gorgeous blue and white urns/planters….Have a most wonderful weekend!!!….
Thanks so much, Shirley! So happy to be sharing this party with you!! Funny thing about that clock… I tend to walk around my home with gold paint, gilding everything in sight. When I bought it, it was a dull shade of gold and I wanted to add some lights and darks, so gilded it became… 🙂 Have a Happy Easter!!
Your home is beautiful, Lory! I especially love the blue and white touches! I am enjoying seeing all the French Country elements in our home tour! Hugs…Debbie
Thanks so much, Debbie! I, too, am enjoying seeing the homes of bloggers with the same taste and aesthetic I have. It’s actually a delight at a time when so many are going mid century modern. No surprise you like the blue and white… I love yours too!! Delighted to be sharing this tour with you. Enjoy your Easter weekend!!
If I had only one word allowed, it would have to be “elegant”! I’m especially fond of that mirror Lory, and love how you see the spring flowers in it:-)
Janet
Thanks, Janet! While I absolutely love mirrors, it’s sometimes difficult to photograph them with the curious things that wind up being reflected. Not a problem when working with flowers… 🙂 Thanks for the lovely words! It’s a delight to be partying this spring with you. Enjoy your Easter weekend!!
Seriously stunning, Lory! Your mantel just exudes spring and I LOVE that mirror!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Easter!
Thanks so much, Kim!! It’s a pleasure to be sharing this tour with so many talented bloggers and to see others who share the same aesthetic… 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
What a beautiful mantel! I love the blue and white. It all looks so elegant and refined. Lovely.
Thanks so much, Nancy! It’s funny to see how many of us are fans of blue and white. Enjoy a wonderful Easter weekend!!
Lory, your Spring mantel is absolutely gorgeous!! I am in love with every detail!
Thank you so much, Cindy! While it’s always nice to receive kind comments, receiving them from bloggers whose work you admire is all the better… 🙂 Have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
Lori!! Your tour is a feast for the eyes! I enjoyed every single detail. You have such a gift of teaching your readers how to simply sprinkle Spring throughout their homes. What a pleasure to be included on such a beautiful tour with all of these gorgeous blogs! So much fun!! xox
Thank you so much, Emily! I agree it’s a pleasure to be included with this talented group… 🙂 I look forward to many more French Country link parties!!
Most beautiful of spring mantels! Reminds me of a line from a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, “of speckled eggs the birdies sing and nest among the trees……..”.
Thank you Connie! What a wonderfully poetic observation… 🙂 I can’t think of a lovelier comment!! Thanks for visiting!
Sigh….that amazing mirror!…those gorgeous clocks!…that beautiful new mantel! All my style and just perfectly arranged! Love your design style! Have a happy Easter!
Thank you so much, Jana! And right back to you!!
Your Spring mantel is beautiful, fresh flowers are my favorite part of Spring!
Thanks, Angelina! I completely agree… 🙂
I love all of your gorgeous photography and that mirror.. swoon!!
Thanks so much, Anita! I’m definitely trying to work on the photography. Loving the new camera… 🙂
Every aspect of your spring mantel is perfectly beautiful Lory. It must fill you with such joy every time you pass it. Thank you for sharing it at Shabbilicious Friday. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tomorrow’s party.
Oh wow, thank you so much, Kerryanne!! I enjoy your party so much and will be delighted to be among your wonderful features! Thanks for stopping by to let me know and for hosting each week… 🙂
Love love the blue and white on your mantle! It is such a classic crisp look!
Thanks, Lisa! Blue and white seems to really resonate with people… 🙂 It’s a happy combination!! Thanks for visiting!
This was such a beautiful tour of your exquisite mantle.
I am still swooning over the mirror and your photography!
Jemma
Thank you so much, Jemma! The mirror is relatively new – picked it up at an antique shop earlier this year when we first moved in. The photography is also new… well, al least the camera is… 😉 It makes a pretty big difference! As I learn more about it I hope to continue improving…
Thanks for stopping by!
Love your post you shared at Dream Create and Inspire! It was prefect for our party! I will share this on Dream Create and inspire Pinterest board, please stop by my way and say hello, would love it.
Maria
Thanks so much, Maria!! Heading over there now… 🙂
Lory, I always love your mantel but it’s especially beautiful dressed for spring. I’ll be sharing this on Facebook tomorrow.
Such a beautiful mantel! I’ve picked this project as one of the features for this week’s #MondayFundayParty. http://www.100directions.com/pretty-decor-food-ideas/ Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much, Jen!! Thank for hosting… 🙂
Hi Lory, I have fallen in love with you mantle! I will be featuring it at SYC! Thank you for sharing.
xx Jo
Thank you SO much, Joanne!! Thanks for hosting the party… 🙂
Oh my goodness, I am in love with your mantel Spring décor! I love all the elements used here, specially the blue and white.
Your mirror is to die for!
I have a wood mantel, so sometimes it doesn’t show as much as a white like yours do.
Thanks for sharing. I just subscribed to your book.
FABBY
Thanks so much, Fabby, for the kind words and for subscribing too!! Sometimes wood mantels are really lovely too, though, for the rich patina… 🙂
Lory, all your Spring flowers are so refreshing. I love how your ornate mirror is complemented by the fabulous click! How old is the clock? It looked sky as though it was in a castle in the 16th century. Everything is lovely. Happy Palm Sunday! XOXO
Sweet and simple. Lovely, as always.
All so pretty. Love the hand-made crowns especially. No longer available?
Thanks, Teddee! I bought them several years ago from a fellow blogger who makes them and I’m trying to remember her name. Will come back and add it here if/when I recall her name… 😉
Ok, I got it! Her name is Dore and her shop is Burlap Luxe: https://rstyle.me/+oRUsin2FGuOSCNOTWLoBcA
I haven’t seen the crowns in some time, but since they were hand made, she may have some… 🙂