The kitchen may be the heart of the home the rest of the year, but during the holidays, we’d say otherwise. The living room becomes the center of attention, especially as you deck it with all that holiday decor. It’s also where you’ll gather with family for a hallmark movie—and for cozying up around the fireplace—so sprucing it up makes all the difference.
With that said… Did you know that the mantel is prime real estate for holiday decorations? No wonder why it also makes its way into our top 10 best Christmas living room decor ideas!
If you’ve been dreaming of a beautiful Christmas mantel, keep reading for some of our best ideas 🎄
Make it Asymmetrical
If you love contemporary Christmas decor, switching out the traditional balanced garland for an asymmetrical one can be a great idea. Start with the garland on one side of the mantel—and drape it over the other, all the way to the floor. You want to create an offset accent, such as balancing cascading garland with candlesticks. If you’re stuck, here’s a step-by-step guide to asymmetrical garland layering.
Add Some Jingle
Bells have long been associated with Christmas, so it’s natural for them to make their way to your mantel. You can place vintage bells (in different sizes) on each corner of your mantel—or hang them on either end. Ribbon and strands of beads will layer on the charm.
Stick to Sultry Red
Elegance doesn’t always have to be restrained—even a luxe, sultry red can be graceful! If you’re not afraid of going bold, flank your fireplace with two velvet-covered armchairs in a bold red color. Complement this with a minimalist garland on the mantel, some green Boxwood Mini Trees, and three velvet stockings on one end to finish the look.
P.S—if you want to achieve a similar look in green, the GUS Modern Nord Chair is a great pick!
… Or Trade Red for Pink
We’ve all used the classic green and red for quite some time. How about switching up the color scheme by a few shades and swapping out red for pink? Use a eucalyptus garland to set the base, and complement it with light pink stockings. For an extra dash of pink, consider a festive flocked wreath. Also, a few accents of white wouldn’t hurt 😉
Coastal Christmas Mantel
How about skipping those traditional Christmas decorations entirely and going for a coastal theme? We mean a nautical mantel! Use a garland that features subtle aquatic accents (think starfish, anchors, etc.) in all the right colors, like glimmering greens and blues. Be sure to reuse these colors around the living room to tie the space together.
Winter Wonderland
This one’s a famous favorite, but we had to include it on our list because there are just so many unique ways to create one. This year, we’re vouching for oversized pine cones, a vintage crocheted star garland, and small deer figurines. Bonus points for adding a landscape piece of abstract art featuring christmas trees.
Create a Christmas Village
Make your own Christmas village by cutting out (inexpensive) paper chipboard! Be sure to display your masterpieces with pinecones and a classic wreath—and they’ll never know how much you saved on that DIY village.
If you want to go the extra mile, consider making yarn trees and wooden houses.
Have a Monochromatic Moment
Christmas is colorful—but your mantel will make a statement even in a single color. Choose something like white or rose gold for a modern look. Decorate with matching stockings, candles, and baubles (the difference in texture here will keep it interesting), and add a statement mirror.
Go Big on Glam
Listen up, metal maximalists. 2024 is your year! Christmas this year is all about glamor. We’re seeing lots of iridescent decorations, with a little sparkle and tinsel everywhere. Add this to your mantel with mirrored candle holders, glass ornaments, and a metallic garland. We especially love this festively fun garland to achieve the purpose.
Factor in Nostalgia
Apart from the nostalgic red-and-green decor, one great way to add memories to your mantel is with photo frames. A wooden zigzag frame can fit right into your Christmas decor, and give you a way to display holiday photos from previous years as well as your favorite holiday cards. If you love to host during Christmas and need a conversation starter, this is it!
Pair it With a Mini Christmas Tree
If space is at a premium, why mind taking up valuable floor space with a large Christmas tree? Take it tiny this year—and pair it with your mantel! Consider a small tabletop tree (this one on Amazon is cute) and let it have its moment by placing it over a wooden saddle bar stool. Place this arrangement right next to your fireplace, which would be decorated with a garland and some candles. This lets even the tiniest of trees have a substantial presence (as compared to placing it over your coffee table).
Light the Night
Candles aren’t just for your dining table. In fact, white taper candles are one of the most inexpensive ways to make a big statement on your mantel without much expense. Complete the decor with simple greenery and stockings.
Add Some Disco Elements
In 2024, we’re seeing plenty of disco groove, the 70s-disco style way. You can add disco balls wherever you want—and, for our case here, the mantel. A baubles holiday wreath hung right above your mantel looks quite like a disco ball party if you ask us 😉
Make it Rustic
Folks, ‘tis the season to get cozy and settle in. Stack some chopped wood next to your fireplace for that hygge vibe. Use some glowing lanterns and a berry wreath for rustic charm. Finally, add a good book or a great friend, and FOMO? Nowhere to be found!
Add Some Scent
Is it even Christmas without those nostalgic scents? Your mantel is the perfect place to add a few scented candles. Case in point: the Nest Festive Votive Trio, giving you a taste of our top favorites—Holiday, Birchwood Pine, and Crystallized Ginger and Vanilla Bean.
Choose a Common Denominator
Make your contemporary Christmas decor cohesive by choosing a common decorating factor. For example, some Preppy Honeycomb Ornaments on your mantel wreath—and making their way into your nearby Christmas tree.
Get Colorful
We’ve talked quite a bit about keeping it monochromatic or choosing greens, reds, and pinks—but if you love color, why not go about it? Hang a colorful garland of pom poms, and use an assortment of bottle brush trees on the mantel (this set of 12 has 12 different colors). This one’s as versatile as you make it.
Don’t Skimp on the Lighting
A garland and wreath are gorgeous on their own—but soft white lights take the display to the next level. Consider a back-lit wreath and several strands of twinkle lights layered in the decor. You can also add some flickering candles to double up the light.