Decorating my home DIY style is a big deal to me. Today I am breaking down all of my DIY ideas to decorate a Christmas fireplace mantel!
I had such positive comments from people and interest in my fireplace mantel decor from my Christmas home tour.  I had such a fun time layering this look together. I always struggle with the scope of my extra large fireplace and the vaulted ceilings. Each year I have gone with bigger items, and I think that really brings the look together. Since there was such an interest in my mantel I thought I would break down what exactly I put on the mantel, my thought process behind layering in the look and lastly, the simple DIY tutorials I did to create the complete look! Oh, in case that is not enough decorating talk and inspiration I am also sharing other home decor bloggers Christmas mantels and some of their DIY ideas.
Here is the fireplace mantel I put together for this holiday season. I went with a blue theme, which is new to me. Dale is serious about his traditional red and green Christmas colors. So I cannot do a lot, for a man who generally does not care about home decor this is really important to him. I snuck in a little blue, mainly to make the large wall decor I already had there work for the space.
I created this large wall decor from a curtain. The process to create this was so simple and easy. I was able to create an over sized focal point that had some subtle texture ane color. It is a little on the bland side, but with the rest of my decor and layering things like I did for my Christmas mantel it works really well.
The next addition to this fireplace mantel was the reindeer canvas I created. This was done with a stencil. I added a tiny bit of blue because I have an obsession with the color. It also feels very fresh to me. The stark white of the canvas really plays up a bright finish to the art.
With so many fresh colors and lots of blue I wanted to warm up the fireplace mantel. Christmas is all about warm tones. I created these wood snowflakes out of scrap wood pieces. The plan was to stain them a dark color, but again the light and bright feel won out and I left them as is. The wood tone still really brings a rustic element to the Christmas mantel. The large size of the snowflakes helps with my over sized fireplace area.
The above picture is my Christmas fireplace mantel 5 years ago, and three really tiny kids ago. Â I struggled for a few years finding the right balance of decorations for this space. Always going smaller because I did not want the mantel to feel cluttered, but actually more items that were smaller made it feel very cluttered.
As you can see I went small with the decorations, and it just feel a little on the busy side. My previous decorating ideas worked, and were very traditional. I was stuck in a rut of decorating with limited funds (weren’t we all just starting out?) we had a lot of kids, a lot of bills and I wanted to decorate. I did not think to DIY things yet, so getting just enough at the store to call it decorated. I never fully got the look I was hoping for, we do have the same Christmas stocking holders even now. I also have the same cutie kids, they are just bigger now.
Over time I have transitioned into my own unique style, gained a little more free time with my slightly more independent kids, and I learned to create what i could not purchase. Either because items were too expensive in stores, or what I was wanting the decorations to look like and I could not find them in the store. I stumbled into making them myself and have ended up in a sweet spot of decorating my home exactly how I want it to. As you can see I also learned how to not be afraid of over sized decor, but even last year I did not have the scale of it right yet. When decorating a home, and especially a fireplace mantel decorate for the size of the space. No extra large Christmas topiary if you have a smaller space. Dopn’t under-decorate in a larger space.
The above picture is my fireplace decorated last year. Â I have kept some of the elements like the snowflakes, but have changed up everything else. I like the reindeer art I made, however it was still too small for the space. I like my look from last year, but it still had a traditional flair to it. I am learning to trust my decorating instincts and go with how each year transitions. This year I am seeing blue! Can I go back and cuddle those little, tiny kids of mine from 5 years ago? I would go back to that so happily, even with the chaos and stress of a young family. Oh guys, this picture has me all emotional thinking about Christmas pasts and that I will blink and they will be even bigger than they are now.
OK, sorry for that Mommy moment, let’s get back to talking fireplace mantel decor! Since going big works well for my fireplace mantel I decided to reuse another DIY item. I created this blue board to be an outdoor towel rack, which it will be used for that purpose again in summer. For now it is a fun and rustic backdrop for the Christmas wreath. Full disclosure, I did not make the trio of wreaths. I purchased them on sale years ago at Target after the Christmas season, so it was wayyyyy marked down.
Another full disclosure, the Santa stocking holder broke right before I took these pictures. I am so sad, we have had these since we were pregnant with our last baby and knew we were completing our family. These have lasted 6 years and now one is broken. Poor guy!
I re-purposed by DIY boards and figured I would share the simple way I created these, in case you missed the original post. It is really simple, select boards in the size you want. Use painters tape to create lines, then spray paint them. Once dry I connected them together with small wood pieces, and it is done! The color I used is a beautiful and deep navy color. I love it!
The last addition is not a DIY project, but new family stockings. I have been jonsing for perfectly monogrammed ones for the whole family and finally splurged on them. I got these from Pottery barn and am so happy I did it. I am obsessed with putting my kids name’s on things, it took me forever to pick the perfect name for them. I like to show it off, they are my three favorite names (and people) on the planet. My only regret is that I did not get our dog’s Teddy & Finn one too. I could not handle to inevitable side eye from Dale when I informed him of the dog stocking and monogrammed purchase. This was a battle not worth it. But, BUT… I will be adding a monogrammed stocking for each eventual spouse and grand kids to our fireplace mantel. I can guarantee that!
If you are like me and like to decorate for Christmas, unless you have a unending amount of funds to do so… getting creative is needed to keep it all possible financially. Creating simple crafts and DIYs like what I did is the way to get around breaking the bank for holiday decorations. It also allows me to splurge on the monogrammed Christmas stockings, of the 8ft tall Christmas tree. It is surprising how much you can create on your own to add to the decor. Also surprising how much just a few new additions can completely change the feel of the home for the season.
As far as advice to decorate a fireplace mantel. I always start with what I have. In my case it is the large wall decor made from a curtain. Yes I can move it and put something else there, and eventually I will. But using what you have and layer in items is what create the cohesive look. Have a focal point in the center and two matching or similar items on each side, towards the outside. Then layer in a few varying height items. This is how a fully decorated fireplace mantel comes together.
Doing it DIY style also allows you to have a perfectly unique look to your home for the season. Even if you make every one of my projects to put on your fireplace mantel, you will have different fabric for the wall art. You will have a different wreath. You will automatically make it your own, and blend in your year-round decorations. These DIY ideas to decorate a Christmas fireplace mantel I shared to explain my Christmas mantel overall look. Highlight the power of DIY and also get people thinking outside of the box when it comes to decorating. People, I stuck scrap wood, a curtain, and paint on my mantel. Technically those items should not make something this pretty. But using them and crafting away I am able to create a fun, whimsy and unique fireplace mantel decor. In case this is not enough oohhing and ahhing over mantels and crafts for the fireplace, don’t forget to check out my home decor blogging friends and what they created. I asked a few to share theirs, and they delivered!
Has your holiday decor changed throughout the years?Â
  
  
  
  
Thank you so much for sharing my Christmas mantel! You have no idea how much I love your ingenuity using a shower curtain and towel rack to add focal points to the large space! I struggle with the same thing and this year before I hang the big print I made I have my husband adding shiplap above the mantel to help fill in the space! I will for sure get an eye roll when I show him how easily we could have solved the problem!
Such a festive mantle and I love that you made the decorations! I am not a DIYer but I love to go to craft fairs and purchase decorations that others have made for a unique holiday look.
By the time we get lights up and the tree decorated, we always forget about the mantel. Going to do it this weekend, I promise!
Looks amazing. Thanks for walking us none creative people through your process.
Oh and this line I had to read twice “People, I stuck scrap wood, a curtain, and paint on my mantel” The first read of it was I suck crap wood. and I went wait that can’t be right and reading again then I got it. still funny.
Your mantel has changed a lot over the years. I love the mantel! We now live in a house with a mantel and I am never sure what to do with it. I have some great ideas now.
How wonderful. I love all these festive ideas. You fireplace is gorgeous.
Everything looks lovely. We jampack our stockings so much that it’d be hard to use a stocking holder me thinks, but I do always like how cute they are, esp. on a mantle.
Your Christmas mantel is gorgeous. I love the reindeer canvas and how you framed it with sticks. Thanks for the inspiration as I’m still working on my Christmas mantel decor.
That wood really gives the wall a nice pop of color. I always wanted a fireplace, partially so I’d have a mantel.
I’ve always wanted a fireplace. I just looking at how pretty they all decorated. One day, maybe Santa will bring me an Electric Fireplace on of these years!
I love, love, love the reindeer canvas! Things have certainly changed here through out year too when it comes to decorating.
Very pretty! I sit and look at our mantel trying to think of ways to dress it up, but always come up blank. I love the wreath display!
You just gave me serious mantle envy 🙂 All the decorations are great, but I always love stockings the most this time of year! 🙂
Your mantle is so pretty! I LOVEEE the rustic wood wreath display.
I love this phrase “getting creative is needed to keep it all possible financially”. It’s so true. People think that having a beautiful home is all about spending lots of money to get the luck. Well done!
Very pretty! I let my kids do all the decorating this year, while I made dinner one night, so you can imagine mine is less good.
Amazing look, as always! We used to live in a Victorian house with five mantels, four of which I decorated for Christmas. That was so much fun. I like a traditional look myself and am not crafty at all, but I love seeing how creative you are with your home.
I love all your DIY projects! Your mantel looks great!
What a beautiful display! I wish we had a mantel but alas not here but I did make dress up our little Bay Window. It’s looking cute. I’ve had my girls help me fix it up and get crafty and it’s been so much fun. Happy Holidays to you!
Are those Pottery Barn stockings? We have similar ones! Cute!
Those felt wreaths are really cute. I think those could be made as well as purchased. I also like the idea of getting stuff on sale after Christmas, besides the big discount, I usually forget that I bought it, so it’s a fun surprise to find!
So festive, and I love those wooden snowflakes!
Your mantle looks beautiful! We have a big mantle in our house and it’s one of my favorite spots to decorate but it certainly can be challenging!
This looks amazing. I love how everything ties in together! You’re right – Christmas decor is not cheap so it’s great that there’s DIY options here. My favourite is the wood wreath.
Simple yet so festive! I adore your canvas reindeer. It has just the right amount of color!
I love your snowflakes! What a great use of wood scraps 🙂
Those pops of blue are just the best! It’s so fun to watch style evolve & grow over the years!
These are all such cute ideas! I don’t have a mantel but feel like I could make shift one up!
Gorgeous mantle!! I love that rustic wood wreath holder! So cute!
Beautiful mantle! Love the DIY elements!
That looks incredible! I love the simplicity using wood and the sticks. Makes me want to go outside and get started on my own… I’ll wait for the rain to stop. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
It’s gorgeous! Nice work! I love those wooden snowflakes!
I wish we had a fireplace! I’d love to decorate a mantel 🙂
I absolutely love those giant wood snowflakes. It’s a beautiful mantle.