Key Considerations for Fireplace and Mantel Décor
A fireplace has always been more than a source of warmth—it’s the emotional heart of a home. The mantel, in particular, acts as both a stage and a frame, setting the tone for the entire room. Whether you’re styling a brownstone with marble details or a coastal cottage with painted wood, the key is to balance beauty with intention.
Start With the Big Picture
Before you style a single candle or frame, step back and look at the surrounding finishes and furnishings.
Color story: Do you have a piece of artwork above the mantle that you can pull tones from? Or will a mirror reflect another feature in the room (like a window, chandelier, or built-in)?
Proportions: The depth of the mantel matters. A shallow ledge means you’ll want slim objects like framed art, brass candlesticks, or greenery in low vessels. Deeper mantels allow for layered groupings, larger vessels, or sculptural pieces.
Continuity: Think of the fireplace as part of the architecture. Its décor should feel connected to trim, flooring, and furniture—never like an afterthought. Are you mixing styles in the space or trying to add a fresh feel to a more traditional space? The mantel is the perfect place to use decor to continue telling that same story. Does your space blend traditional rugs with modern upholstery frames, use more modern vessels for the top of the traditional mantel to help weave that thread throughout the room.
By Style of Home
Different fireplace surrounds call for different personalities. Here’s a few ideas on how to tailor your approach:
1. Brownstone Marble Fireplace
Think sophisticated, urban, and elegant.
What to use: Symmetrical arrangements of tall candlesticks, a gilded mirror, or contemporary black-and-white photography.
Materials: Polished metals like brass or nickel, crystal vases, sleek ceramics.
Tip: Echo the marble’s veining with soft textiles nearby—like a throw pillow or rug that subtly picks up those tones.
2. New England Colonial Brick Fireplace
Grounded and traditional with a nod to history.
What to use: Layered oil paintings or botanical prints, chunky wooden candle holders, woven baskets on the hearth.
Materials: Aged brass, antique wood, and hand-thrown pottery.
Tip: Embrace asymmetry—stack a few favorite books on one side and balance with a lantern or hurricane glass on the other.
3. Coastal Cottage Mantel
Airy, casual, and light-filled.
What to use: Driftwood accents, sea glass vessels, soft linen-wrapped frames, and art featuring ocean horizons.
Materials: Whitewashed wood, light ceramics, rattan or seagrass.
Tip: Mirrors work beautifully here—angled just right, they bounce extra sunlight through the room.
4. Mountain Retreat Wood-Burning Stove
Cozy, rustic, and layered with texture.
What to use: A mantel styled with vintage lanterns, pinecone-filled bowls, antler-inspired décor, or landscape photography.
Materials: Iron, raw wood, stoneware, wool textiles.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to go big—oversized art or a sculptural branch arrangement feels right at home with the scale of the mountains.
Final Touches
Mix heights: Create visual rhythm with tall, medium, and low objects.
Add life: Greenery (real or faux) always brings freshness.
Keep it seasonal: A mantel is the perfect place for subtle seasonal swaps—without redoing the entire room.
A well-styled fireplace is like good jewelry: it doesn’t change the outfit, but it makes the look unforgettable.
Image from our Charlestown Historic Home project. To bring depth and light into this narrow room, we mounted on an oversized antique mirror to reflect both the natural light and the glow of our antique brass and crystal chandelier. On the mantel, it’s all about balance: vintage brass candlesticks, airy glass, and fresh white ceramics set the tone for a collected, curated look. The real magic? How mid-century shapes meet heirloom glass and a traditional rug to create a space that feels truly personal.