8 Clever Ways to Decorate a Fireplace

To add holiday charm inside the fireplace of HGTV Holiday House 2014, several different vignettes were created using simple accessories, seasonal items and objects fit for year-round use. Browse our eight looks and get ideas for decorating your own fireplace.

The inside of a fireplace is the perfect size and scale for creating a nativity scene. Choose sets with figures approximately 6 inches shorter than the height of the firebox interior. Once placed inside, the rectangular shape of the firebox will frame the scene like a picture window.

Homeowners with historic fireplaces that no longer function can turn them into bookshelves by simply fastening a horizontal plank of lumber to two pre-cut 2x4s, then placing it all inside the firebox. Keep the shelf approximately 10 to 14 inches above the floor of the firebox to allow enough height for most standard books.

The inside of a fireplace is an excellent spot to showcase mismatched collections. This works especially well with disparate candlesticks. For a well-collected look, gather an odd number of candlesticks all in the same metallic, but in a variety of finishes. Here, a grouping of brass candlesticks in matte, satin and lacquered finishes carries the purple color scheme of the HGTV Holiday House 2014 living room into the fireplace.