Fireplace mantel ideas to match your style

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
Inset Gas FIRE, Fiveways Fires & Stoves Fiveways Fires & Stoves Living room
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There’s nothing quite like having a cosy fireplace in your home. Conventionally you might find the fireplace in the living room or dining room. In contemporary times, however, a fireplace can fit nicely in the bedroom or even the bathroom. Fireplaces give an interior an established, traditional air, but they can also be incorporated into any interior style you can think of. No matter the look you’re going for, you can rest assured that you can still find away to get all warm and toasty beside your fireplace. Today we will be discussing the way that the fireplace mantel can be used to add stylish touches to the fireplace. You can personalise your hearth this way and help it to better match your style. From antique to contemporary, here are our favourite ways to decorate the fireplace mantel.

Rustic fireplace

The fireplace has a special role in the rustic interior. Rustic interiors are meant to elude hints of the past in their unrefined, country style of décor. Therefore, the mantel should be decorated accordingly. For one, situating a proportional piece of timber on the mantel will instantly make it look more rustic. As for additional elements of décor, items from nature work well. For example, this wreath made of twigs and dried grasses will go swimmingly on your rustic mantelpiece. Pinecones and other treasures from the outdoors make appropriate adornments as well. You can put these items in brass pots and glass jars as well because these materials fit nicely in the rustic scheme. It’s best to keep things simple and lean towards earth tones in your decoration.

Antique fireplace

Fireplaces have strong ties to historic and traditional aesthetics. They were once a central part of the home. They served as the primary means of preparing food and as a place for communal gatherings amongst family and friends. Antique fireplaces are often regal in aesthetic. They tend to have intricate carvings and be dark in colour tone. Incorporating an antique fireplace into your home will give it class and opulence. As for the décor, you can play up the antique look with vintage items. Antique books like the ones featured on this antique mantelpiece or a model of a ship are common items that would have traditionally been found on a mantel centuries ago. You can’t go wrong with candles in gilded or brass stands either.

Elegant mantels

Another more traditional style fireplace is the elegant one. Elegant fireplaces can come in marble in addition to wood. They aren’t necessarily as intricate and grandiose in details but their structures consist of clean, strong lines. White is a common colour used in elegant fireplaces, but deep red and other sober tones work well here too. The décor should be simple but thoughtful. Including a framed antique drawing over the mantelpiece is a common touch seen in elegant rooms. Candles with simple gold or silver stands are also appropriate on an elegant mantle. The vintage clock present in this elegant mantle stands out nicely against its lighter surrounds. Finally, situating an intricate flower like an orchid on the mantle stands as the perfect detail.

Modern fireplace

As we mentioned above, it is possible to reinvent the fireplace and take it in a different direction than its more traditional look. In fact, modern fireplaces are all the rage in current trends. Some of them lack mantelpieces entirely! If you’re attached to the look of a lovely mantel surrounding the hearth, however, we understand. For the modern fireplace, err towards simple and sleek design. This makes sense as modern aesthetics tend to be directly opposite from more sumptuous antique designs. With a black mantel, like this marble one by Atelier York, you will help to accentuate the modern look. As for the mantel design, it is best to break tradition in pursuit of a more modern look. That is why we love this avant garde gold and black display piece.

Subtle and chic

Another more up-to-date look for the fireplace mantel is to go subtle and chic. Keeping the mantel minimal and in line with the existing colour scheme will help you to do so. To do this, opt out of heavy materials like stone and marble or at least large quantities of them. Ditch the hyper detailed appearance of your mantel’s forebears. This mantel provides a solid depiction of a subtle yet chic mantel. The monotone colouring and simple design keeps it from disrupting the balance of the space. The simple addition of some candles is enough to decorate the subtle chic mantel. You could substitute candles for a simple sculpture or plant, but you definitely don’t want to overdo it.

Contemporary fireplace mantel

Lastly, there is the contemporary style mantel. In this look, you have a lot more freedom to create a fresh and original mantel design. For example, the style of this mantel is comprised of smooth surfaces and simple lines. The pale coloured timber is another trademark of a more contemporary look. Accenting with an abstract piece of art like the one located on the mantel works well because it adds a cool metallic accent to the aesthetic scheme. Other metal accents present in this contemporary fireplace include the front of the firebox and the vase to the left of the fireplace. The additional ornaments, artwork, and plants add personal touches unique to the owner of the home.

If you found this guide helpful, check out these tips for making your living room cosier. Happy decorating!

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