Traditional to Modern: How to Decorate Your Mantel for the Holidays

Dress up your mantel (and living room) three unique ways this holiday season with these fresh and festive looks.

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November 08, 2017

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Vintage Yuletide

Stuck on an overall look for your mantel? Red and green will always do the trick if you stick with proper layering and add plenty of texture.

Layered Hues

The best trick for getting the most impact from red and green decor is by introducing it in slightly different hues with a variety of sheens and finishes.

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7'' Die Cut Layered Woodland Scene

Knit Monogram Stocking

9'' Large Metal Decorative Camper

Large Decorative Truck Sculpture

21'' Lit Pine Twig Tree

Home for the Holidays Pillow

Monogrammed Stockings

To get longevity from your holiday stockings, choose a classic knit style. An extra layer of personalization, such as initials for each family member, will make them memorable for decades of holiday celebrations.

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Knit Monogram Stocking

Tons of Texture

Any time you're dressing up sleek, modern surfaces for the holidays, try mixing them with coarse textures. Here, the leather look of the contemporary chairs is updated with a chunky, knit throw and a graphic pillow.

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Home for the Holidays Pillow

Woodland Whites

Create an all-natural, organic look with layered whites and woodsy touches. This living room is packed with different shades of white and ivory, along with tons of texture through accents and furniture.

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12'' White LED Lit Star

Snowflake Fair Isle Stocking

23'' Aspen Snowman Figurine

Herringbone Christmas Stocking Gray

23'' Artificial Flocked Tree

Light and Bright

Bring statement lighting atop your mantel with battery-operated stars. The graphic shapes add a gorgeous, white glow to the space.

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12'' White LED Lit Star

Neutral Stockings

Take the less-is-more approach with your mantel by hanging stockings in neutral shades of grey and white. Whenever color isn't the main focus, it's smart to stick with stockings in neutral tones that offer lots of texture or timeless patterns.

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Herringbone Christmas Stocking Gray

Snowflake Fair Isle Stocking

Contrasting Colors

One of the most seamless and organic ways to add contrast to a woodsy white look is with a few elements of green and brown. These vignettes feature a slew of white accessories, all which stand out against the green garland and rust-toned frame of the farmhouse mirrors.

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23'' Artificial Flocked Tree

18'' Artificial Flocked Wreath

12.75" Large Wool Reindeer Figurine

Woodland Shapes

Bring a playful vibe to your neutral holiday decor with touches of woodland creatures. Here, a friendly owl brings personality to the modern armchairs.

Luxe Comfort

Bring an unexpected touch to your mantel with a color scheme of midnight blue and merlot red. This combination will strike a luxe vibe that's rich and high style.

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23'' Artificial Flocked Tree

Shape and Texture

One of the best ways to create a well-curated, seasonal look is to ensure a nice mix of shape and texture. From the round clock and organic shape of the garland to the linear look of the mirrors, a mix of rectangular, circular and botanical always strikes the perfect balance.

Lots of Layers

Garland in unexpected colors adds an instant conversation starter to holiday gatherings. For a dramatic backdrop to the wine-toned ornaments, a midnight-blue garland is draped over the mantel.

Touch of Brass

A great way to break up the richness of midnight blue and merlot red is with touches of metallic. While silver tones are cool, brass and bronze tones add a warmth which layers perfectly with reds and blues.

Rose Gold Accents

Stuck between silver or gold accents for your seasonal look? You may want to consider rose gold, which is a lighter and more playful metallic known for its hints of pink and white brass.

Splashes of White

To keep the merlot and blue palette from darkening your space, layer in touches of ultra white. From area rugs to throw blankets to flocked wreaths, a few hints of bright white will brighten the overall look.

Photo By: Rustic White Photography

Traditional to Modern: How to Decorate Your Mantel for the Holidays

Related To:

Vintage Yuletide

Layered Hues

Shop This Look

7'' Die Cut Layered Woodland Scene

Knit Monogram Stocking

9'' Large Metal Decorative Camper

Large Decorative Truck Sculpture

21'' Lit Pine Twig Tree

Home for the Holidays Pillow

Monogrammed Stockings

Shop This Look

Knit Monogram Stocking

Tons of Texture

Shop This Look

Home for the Holidays Pillow

Woodland Whites

Shop This Look

12'' White LED Lit Star

Snowflake Fair Isle Stocking

23'' Aspen Snowman Figurine

Herringbone Christmas Stocking Gray

23'' Artificial Flocked Tree

Light and Bright

Shop This Look

12'' White LED Lit Star

Neutral Stockings

Shop This Look

Herringbone Christmas Stocking Gray

Snowflake Fair Isle Stocking

Contrasting Colors

Shop This Look

23'' Artificial Flocked Tree

18'' Artificial Flocked Wreath

12.75" Large Wool Reindeer Figurine

Woodland Shapes

Luxe Comfort

Shop This Look

23'' Artificial Flocked Tree

Shape and Texture

Lots of Layers

Touch of Brass

Rose Gold Accents

Splashes of White

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