The Three L’s of My Fall Mantel
Mantels can be as simple or as complicated as you want. They can follow a color story, theme or like mine, be a hodgepodge of collected items from over the years. I really only have one rule for my mantel: Everything MUST fit in one storage container.* It’s a mantel. Not a Christmas tree, but more on that some other time.
*Fall-specific decor, but feel free to pull other items from around the house.
Yes, we all love elaborate mantels on Pinterest, but then you have to store all that sh*t, and let’s be honest; unless this is your first year, you have enough sh*t in your [insert storage space of choice]. Even if I buy something new, as I did this year, it means something must go if it all doesn’t fit. But I will say, I have a black belt in how to organize a store container.
Otherwise, it’s game on. The rest is up to you, go for what feels good or have a plan. As a Virgo, I like lists and planning, so for me, I look for three simple things when putting together any decorated space: levels, layers, and light.
Levels
This is a pretty basic one, but as a graphic designer in my professional life, I like to think about what you’re looking at from left to right and I don’t want it to be the same across the line. So I build things up to varying heights to give some visual interest. And no, that does not mean it has to be symmetrical. Unless that’s your preference and then, hey, good for you. For me, I spent a sh*t ton of time on this and I want you to look at it for a minute or two. It’s about the details.
Layers
While mantels are usually fairly shallow, you can fit way more on them than you think! Using things like wood crates, books or candle holders can be used for stacking and creating depth. Also don’t be afraid to let things hang off the edge or droop over if you need to. Maybe you put a pine cone at the bottom of a candlestick or a small pumpkin on top of a vase. Anyway you like it, use this tip for fitting more on your mantel.
Light
Yes, candles. But also think about where your natural light or light from your fixtures hits your mantel. Mixing metallics, glass, and other shiny things can also help give your mantel depth but reflect light into the smaller, darker spaces of your mantel.
Color is another way to help direct light. When you think about colors, think about coordination and contrast. Lights next to darks, shiny next to flat.
Just for fun, here is my list of random objects that I keep around and have sourced from all over. Thrift stores have a ton of great items, as do garage sales and yes, even Target and Big Lots. But I don’t think I’d go outfitting my mantel from a big box store. The trick for me is mixing it all together like you planned it.
Ingredient list:
Candlesticks
Old books
Garlands of any sort, paper, fake foliage or felt.
Dried items
Ceramics
Wood
Crates or containers
Candles
Candle holders
Photos
Pine cones
And of course, Pumpkins, but not just real ones. Raffia ones, ceramic, glass, etc. After all, It’s decorative gourd season.
