Having a fireplace in your home means you have the perfect spot to make it the focal point of the room. They have great potential and can handle almost any type of decoration you choose. By choosing the proper mantel decor, you'll bring cohesiveness into the room, tie everything together and still let the fireplace be the central element of the room.
Add a Mantel Clock
Every fireplace deserves the best decor possible, and a mantel clock is a wonderful choice. This is a classic that’s been around for a very long time. A timeless, decorative mantle piece clock can be a wonderful focal point of the room and a display of your personality and style. Nowadays, they’re also known as shelf clocks so you can find them under that name as well.
They were originally created in the 1750s when the spring mechanism was brought to life. Since then, they’ve changed, evolved and improved a lot. Yet, they have kept their timeless appeal and beauty. You can find these clocks in several styles. The Tambour style has an upright drum shape and an extended base. It's like a wooden sculpture and a great decorative item.
The Bracket style is square-shaped and usually has a handle on top. They can also be hanged and have a long pendulum. Carriage-style mantel clocks were meant to be travel clocks. They're smaller than the rest, are made of metal, and have a rectangular shape. Steeple-style clocks have a gothic vibe. They look like a church steeple and are perfect for gothic interiors.
There are also modern versions of the mantel clock. The Art Deco style was popularised in the 1930s and is a representation of the industrial age. It has a sleek, geometric look and is the perfect mantel piece for rustic and vintage homes. A skeleton-style clock has an open frame and an open mechanism for a more dramatic effect.
Its appearance makes a statement but it can be hard to clean because of the dust going inside the gears and the other small parts of the mechanism. There are plenty of reasons why you should choose this type of decoration for your mantel. They're stylish, practical, easy to clean and maintain and will last for a long time.
Before buying the clock think about your home’s overall interior and match it in style. Consider the size and placement as well. You can go small or big depending on the size of your mantel. A taller clock will draw more attention to the fireplace. Wood, glass, ceramic and metal are just some of the material choices. Wood is warm and welcoming and glass is sleek and modern. Choose one that matches the rest of the room.
Try a Mirror
If your home has a modern or contemporary look, mirrors can be a great idea as mantel decor. How do you feel about a collection of smaller, round mirrors above your mantel? Or square or rectangular ones? They have the power to add height and some dimension without overpowering the space. Plus, the reflecting light will make the room feel brighter and warmer.
If you want to create an open and airy feel, an oversized mirror will be a great choice. Hanging it over the mantel will give the room a coastal vibe and a warm feel. You'll visually open up the room because of the bouncing natural light. To get a double wow factor hang an art piece on the opposite wall and see the reflection from several angles. A mantle piece clock can also be a nice complement underneath the mirror.
Bring in Some Artwork
Artwork is a decor piece that you can’t go wrong with. If you have a traditional home with a fireplace, you can add some timeless pieces of artwork in nice decorative, brown, wooden frames. Get a bigger and a smaller one and mix their shapes. This creates visual interest and adds a new dimension to the space.
You can also make a statement over the mantel with an oversized art piece. A modern, black and white painting or a print will stand out against a white or black wall behind. Typography is getting more and more popular nowadays. It's a nice graphic touch and will pop out against your fireplace. If you feel bold enough, you can create an entire art collection on the mantel. Arrange the shapes and sizes carefully so it doesn’t look cluttered.
Display of Family Pictures
Put sentimental mementoes and family pictures on your mantel to make the space feel more like home. The best approach to make the spaces we live in tell our story is to showcase personal belongings. Framing pictures of your family from beautiful moments you spent together will give the mantel a warm, welcoming vibe. If you want to add another piece to the picture frames there are plenty of mantel clocks for sale. Choose one to match the frames and sentiment of the pictures.
Repaint It
Repainting the mantel can really make it a focal point of the room. If you’re bored of the old, blunt, colourless look, there’s always the option of repainting it. If you have a white wall as a background, you can paint the fireplace and the mantle a darker colour, black, dark grey or some shade of brown.
Seasonal Decoration
Bringing in the seasonal decoration on the mantel will give you a new look every 3-4 months. During spring, you can add plenty of flowers. Australia is bountiful in colourful flowers that can decorate your mantel for many months. In the summer you can add more greenery, a basket of fruits or jars with scented candles.
Autumn is colourful so make sure you use all the colours you can. Add pumpkins, dried flowers, spooky string lights, leaf wreaths and much more. And winter you can bring out your Christmas decorations and enjoy the season.
