Decorating Guides
25 Gorgeous Holiday Mantels by Houzzers
Laden with boughs, lights and even lemons, these decorated fireplace mantels show a festive Christmas spirit and a creative approach
We made the call, and you answered. Thank you so much to everyone who responded to our Houzz call and shared mantel photos. You all showed us everything from minimalist to “everything but the kitchen sink” approaches, and we love them all. Here is a sampling of 25 mantels by Houzzers; to see all of them, check out the original post.
"My mantel is in the kitchen, so I use fruit theme ornaments and lots of sparkle," says Valorie Hart of the blog The Visual Vamp.
"My wall color already makes a (loud) statement, so I try to keep my mantel clean and refined while still being festive," Houzz user sheas says.
"This year for my Christmas mantel I decided to use preserved boxwoods in lieu of garland, and I'm so happy with how it turned out," says Becky from the blog This Is Happiness. "It's simple and elegant. I love the square wreath boxwood, and the glass antiqued mercury Christmas tree is a favorite of mine as well."
Dr. Seuss inspired Houzz user kathyjunk. "I'm all Grinchy and Whoville with my decorating — thus my mantel," she says.
"The whimsy of my Merry Christmas mantel was put together with all of the kiddos in mind," says Houzz member Suzy. "I love to see the sparkle in their eyes!"
"I live in a 1907 Edwardian home in San Francisco," says Houzz user sharonsf. "In my dining room the theme is snowmen, so the mantel has a good variety of them, plus my collection of incense smokers from Germany. The dining and side table in the dining room are also laden with snowmen."
Interior designer Elizabeth Hagins continues a long family tradition with her mantel decor.
"My mother used these decorations — they have an authentic late-'50s/early-'60s vibe," she says.
"My mother used these decorations — they have an authentic late-'50s/early-'60s vibe," she says.
Houzz user stuartfleming went beyond sight and incorporated fragrance into his beautiful mantel. "This mantel featured eucalyptus and white roses for the aromas," he says. "Both sides can be moved and repositioned in other rooms quickly for an added dimension."
"I found this rustic mantel at a flea market and it fit perfectly over my boring 1920s fireplace," says Houzz user anncastro. "With a beloved Buddha, some candles and our stockings, it's festive but calm."
Houzz user nancoise's 18th-century Pennsylvania farmhouse and landscape provided inspiration for her mantel. "It's a mix of funky store-bought finds and attic treasures — greenery compliments of the lovely holly and evergreen trees that grace the property," she says.
"I like a mix of artificial and natural for quick and easy decorating," says Houzz user C.W.Pottery.
Houzz user Cheri likes to keep things simple in her little cottage.
"Doing the mantel always starts my holiday theme, and I go from there to decorate the rest of the house doing Christmas vignettes," says interior designer Lisa Wrixon. "I use fake boughs of evergreen and use real pinecones and greens placed throughout."
Some of you let your year-round decor inspire your mantel tableaux. "I wanted to contrast against the salmon wall color and tie in the blue in the paintings," says Home Front Interiors. "Foliage used was out of my yard — pine, cedar, holly branches and English boxwood. The colors also coordinate with the tree."
"Each year we create a new look," says Houzz user fairviewbonnie. "This is our look for 2012!"
Houzz user embracegrace has had fun decking the halls for the first Christmas in her family's new home. "Peace" was a message we saw on several lovely mantels submitted by Houzzers.
"This is my Peace On Earth mantel, says Houzz member Cindy. "I found the angel wings on Decor Steals and painted and glittered them. I wrote on the mirror with glitter paint and used fresh greens on my mantel. My hubby helped by making a board to place on the mantel to extend its depth."
The Look Interiors gives Santa a little tongue-in-cheek message on this mantel.
"My favorite part of decorating for Christmas is my mantel," says Houzz user mmmjs5.
"White, black and gray is carried through this cottage-style home, including the holiday mantel," says Houzz user suerobins. "Sparkly black honeycomb candles add a hint of holiday, while battery-operated lights from Restoration Hardware help show off the various textures of the glass candlesticks, glitter balls, mercury glass and coral sculpture, with a dramatic impact."
Some staunchly believe that more is more when it comes to holiday mantels. Houzz user highlandproject says, "The more ornaments the better! Throw in the kitchen sink — ribbon, flowers, pinecones, beads, bird's nests, feathers, fruit, horns, favorite people photos, whatever. Light. Voilà! Your own memory mantel."
"To quote a decorator friend of mine, 'Less is more, but more is fabulous!' This is actually one of the smaller mantels I've had over the years," says Houzz user Marie Vlasic. "I start with fresh mixed boughs and pinecones, and add jewel-tone LEDs, a string of bubble lights, [and] peacock and ostrich feathers."
Others have found mantel beauty in simplicity. Houzz user abbiec let her farmhouse inspire her to do a country chic mantel adorned with lemons.
We'll end with a mantel on which the stockings are hung by the chimney with care. Houzz user rbull says, "I favor classic and traditional. I like to leave room for Santa."
Happy holidays, everyone!
Your turn: Show us your holiday front door
Happy holidays, everyone!
Your turn: Show us your holiday front door