“I lingered most about the fireplace, as the most vital part of the house.” -Henry David Thoreau

Decorating a room with a fireplace means you have a built-in focal point for the room, and it can be both a blessing and a challenge. Put too many decor pieces on your mantel, and it will look crowded and overdone. Not enough decor, and it will look vacant and bare.

Your fireplace is a chance to draw the eye and create a beautiful display. These fireplace mantel ideas will help you get inspired. Once you choose a theme that appeals to you, look for pieces of different heights that you can layer. Don’t forget to add a bit of nature.

So which one of these mantel decor ideas appeals to you?

1. Clock Mantel Decor Ideas

The fireplace surround is the focal point of your room. So placing a large clock on or above the mantel is a natural decorating choice. To make this idea work, you need to choose a clock that is proportional to your fireplace and mantel sizes. This means that you’ll probably need a large clock.

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You’ll then want to choose a clock styled to match the rest of the decor. You could choose a vintage, rustic, farmhouse, or modern clock. Depending on the clock you buy, you’ll either rest it on the mantel or mount it on the wall just above the mantel shelf.

The clock should be the central decorative object. To create a well-designed mantel, you need to create symmetry and balance. To achieve this, place other decor pieces in odd numbers on either side of the clock. This could be to vases with matching flower bouquets or candlesticks.

2. Contemporary Mantel Decor Ideas

Decorating a modern fireplace is all about restraint. Keep things clean and simple with the decor. You could even have a mantel with nothing on it. You’ll need another focal point in the room, however, because this can look quite bare.