Autumn Mantel Decor: How to Style Your Mantel in 3 Easy Steps
In this post: Looking for fall mantel decor ideas? Here’s how to bring seasonal flavor to your autumn mantel in three easy steps.⇒
There’s something about a mantel shelf that just begs to be decorated.
And what better time to do that than the fall season?
Sure, it may not require the lush garlands, stockings and baubles of Christmas, but it’s still prime time to feature the colorful gifts of autumn.
If you want to refresh your living spaces with a nod to the current season, follow these simple steps for mantel styling, no matter what decor style you favor.
Fall Mantel Decor
The very first step, before choosing even one item to present on your mantel, is to think about your vision and zero in on a concept. This is the time to select a color story, choose any key pieces or collections to feature, and decide on the tone and character that you want to project.
For this mantel, I chose a palette of rich berries and mossy greens, and immediately knew they’d best be showcased using lush velvet pumpkins. I decided, as well, to reflect the colors through a range of florals, and those two ideas became the essence of my approach.
But once you have a concept, what comes next?
Tall End Pieces
When styling any mantel, I typically break up the space into 3 distinct sections and then select the decorative components based on my visual concept. I generally start with either the center focal point or statuesque end pieces.
In this case, I opted to work with the vases that I keep on the mantel all year long, adding seasonal elements for character and flavor. So, I began with the tall amphora vases that flank the gilded mantel mirror.
I chose tall berry-toned flowers to emphasize the vases’ stature, taking advantage of their narrow top opening. These delicate blooms provide lighthearted movement at the outermost ends of the mantel. The light-colored vases balance the rich colors in my palette.
Low Fill-in Items
I love to play with varying heights and levels, and almost always keep the tallest pieces at the outer ends.
Next I built a low, irregular “runner” or garland type effect, using velvet pumpkins in varied sizes. I love these little gems for the gorgeous way they display color, with a rich sheen and delightful slouch supplied by the bean bag stuffing. The pliable filling allows for flexibility in layout, and I layer the items in based on color variety and assorted sizing. I try to ensure no two pumpkins are facing the same direction, propping some up against the backdrop or leaning them against each other.
I included two birch bark candles for their rustic attitude, then tucked in lovely pale pink roses for a note of feminine chic.
Center Focal Point
At the center, I once again elected to use the antiqued vase that typically sits there, as I delight in its rugged personality, especially when played off the rich velvet pumpkins. I love the contrast of rustic with chic and the pairing keeps the whole enterprise from getting too precious.
I filled the vase with pale lilac stems (I meant to make a note of the flower names, but alas, I forgot to…) and let them fall naturally with an occasional charming lilt.
It’s rare that I keep the centerpiece the same height as the tall ends, and I could easily have removed the wooden box that the vase rests on, but I like the light wood tone and respite it gives the eye, so I kept it in place to break up all that dark color.
If you break up your mantel into these three zones, you can fill in the areas with any decorative items that you like. It doesn’t have to be completely symmetrical, as long as you have balance. If you don’t have two of the same vase, use different ones that relate in a balanced way. In that case I would vary the heights slightly, but keep them similar to ensure harmony.
This is the same tactic I used for the bark candles, and even for the layout of the velvet pumpkins. The overall impact is one of symmetry, but the sides are actually varied for more interest.
Framing the whole scene is the most formal component, an antique French mirror with delicate detailing. I like using a mirror as my mantel backdrop as it reflects the items without adding too much background color. If you have artwork above your fireplace, your mantel display will have to be a good bit quieter.
The rest of the room is quite neutral, which is what makes it so easy to add seasonal decor in. I could have selected any color palette for my mantel display and it would have worked in the space.
I tossed a few more velvet pumpkins amid my textured tonal pillows, to spread the theme out a little more beyond the mantelscape.
I also brought out of storage a faded linen floral pillow, as it fit well with my palette of moss and berries. The nubby throw blanket is at once tonal and textured, working with the general aesthetic of the rest of the room.
The textures and colors really benefit by the light and this room is blessed with many windows throughout.
I left the coffee table styling as it always is, as the vintage pastoral pieces define the character of the room, and in fact my entire home. They mirror the bucolic aspect of the vases on the mantel and help lend a cohesive touch.
If you want to bring a taste of autumn into your living spaces, consider decorating a mantel by breaking it into the three zones. Then pick your palette, choose elements that highlight your concept, and get to work styling the surface with these easy steps.
No mantel? No worries! The same concept can be applied to a shelf or console table, as well!
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
SUBSCRIBE AND GET my free guide:
“20 Ways to Update Your Home for Your Changing Lifestyle”!
The Shops
Have you visited the Designthusiasm shops? Click below to shop my favorites, my home by room, and my Amazon shop. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for quick updates.
Gorgeous I love all the colors of your luscious velvet pumpkins. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Marty! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!!
Beautiful Lory
I love the pumpkins and the acorns –
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving
Much love,
Rose
Thanks so much, Rose! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!!
Hi Lory ~ I really love the soft lavender and sage and purple plush pumpkins you’ve chosen for your mantle. Then placing the soft pink roses among them is just delightful to my eye! I didn’t realize how harsh, by comparison, the colors of orange and brown are to me. I’m happy not to see those harsher colors! Anyway, I like your softer take on a Thanksgiving mantle. Oh, and I agree with you ~ I like your new white cabinets reflected in your beautiful French mirror, too! Thanks for sharing your beautiful spaces and Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Thank you so much, Leila! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!!
Oh, Lory, your mantel is absolutely beautiful! I have been lusting after these velvet pumpkins for ages now but I know they would not look as stunning as they do in your interior. Your home is the perfect palette for displaying these elegant pumpkins. The tiny acorns are so cute too, I have never seen them before! I am wishing you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Chloe! The pumpkins come in every color and would go great in your home too… 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Your pumpkins are so gorgeous. I love them on your mantle piece and on the table. I need to do more but I need stems.
I’m puzzled at your acorns, I’ve never seen such big acorns. I really love them. Do you know the name of the oak they come from?
I love the colors of your lovely blog.
Thank you,
Daniele
Thank you, Daniele! The acorns are velvet too and come from the same company as the pumpkins. Happy Thanksgiving!
I loved them on the table, and love them on the mantle! Did I miss your final decision on which tablescape to go with? Of course, whichever you chose will be gorgeous. Perhaps a little touch of them all?
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be grateful for.
XO Ginger
Thanks, Ginger, and believe it or not, I haven’t set my table yet! I actually think I will do a little of each but mostly the table with the botanical pumpkin plates and peony napkin rings. I’ll also have a second table in the kitchen though, so not sure on that one yet. I set so many tables that I can do them quickly… 😉
Love what you have done. The color scheme is so pretty. I have the velvet pumpkins on my table and they just add so much to the table. What did we do without them!!
Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and many continued blessings.
Thanks and right back to you, Diane!
Lovely! And oh, so elegant.
Brenda
Thanks, Brenda!
THANKSGIVING WISHES to you and yours…
I am thrilled to see something other than the traditional red, gold, rust, brown and green for Thanksgiving decorating! As I look out at the (upper Midwest) morning landscape, in its final farewell to the Fall colors, I’m ready for your refreshing purples and greens to lead us into the Christmas season! Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Carole! Wait ’til you see what I have up next for Christmas… 😉
So beautiful Lory! Great colors too – I love the pinks in the fall!
Love the color combination!
Would you normally leave it up for a whole season? Or how regularly would you look to change it up?
I usually leave a mantel up for anywhere between one and three months, depending on if I’m inspired to do something different or if I get sick of it, but generally, it should work for the whole season and can be changed as often as a seasonal door wreath.
What I try not to do is to still have pumpkins or holiday ornaments up in February, but I can’t sweat it never happens… 😉