Simple Elegant Fall Decor (Tips to Style a Mantel)

As we head into the last weeks of October, I hope you’re enjoying the fall season. Here in the northeast, the leaves are reaching peak color in most areas.. and they’re gorgeous!  To bring some of those fall colors inside, I styled my fireplace mantel with simple elegant fall decor.  Hopefully, I’ll inspire you to add some seasonal decorations to your home!

Simple Elegant Fall Decor (Tips to Style a Mantel):

Start with an inspiration piece…

Recently, I purchased a gold ornate mirror with plans to use it on my mantel.  This year, I wanted to decorate with a rustic elegant vibe so the gold tones were a great starting point.  Plus, the height of the mirror makes a nice focal point.

Layer fall accessories and textures for a simple elegant look…

Since I can’t hang anything on the stone fireplace, I usually lean my mirrors and artwork when decorating my mantel.  For fall, I also like to incorporate natural elements like the little white pumpkins. For more ways to decorate with pumpkins, read – How to Decorate with Pumpkins for Fall.

Decorate with the rule of three…

When you arrange items in odd numbers, it’s visually appealing.  Apparently, our brains are naturally drawn to groups of three.  On this fall mantel, I added three white pumpkins and three gold candlesticks.  Even though the vase of leaves, the framed artwork and the mirror are all different, they work together as a group of three large pieces.

Repeat colors for a cohesive look…

When choosing the candlesticks for my fall mantel, I picked gold ones to repeat the gold tones from the mirror.  You’ll also notice that I repeated white several times as well…the candles, the ceramic vase, the pumpkins and the mat on the artwork.

Add colorful foliage…

Of course, I had to add a splash of fall color to my fall mantel.  For fall, you can’t go wrong with red maple leaves.  As you can probably tell, these leaves are artificial.  In the past, I’ve clipped branches from trees for my vignettes but sometimes it’s just easier to go with faux leaves.  This way, I can decorate and move on.  By the way, don’t you just love the way the red leaves stand out against the white?

Add something personal or nostalgic…

To finish my fall mantel, I brought out a nostalgic piece of “art”.  Years ago, I took a photo of my husband and sons on a fall trip to Vermont.  Then, I used the Waterlogue app to turn the photo into a watercolor.  It’s such a simple to way to make a photo into something special.  Now that both of my boys are in college, I get teary eyed looking at that picture!

Shop the elegant fall mantel look:

Previous Simple Elegant Fall Mantels:

While you’re in a fireplace decorating mood, here are a few ways I’ve styled my mantel in the past…

Apples and white pumpkins…

As I mentioned, it’s helpful to start with an inspiration piece.  One year, I decorated my fall mantel in an apple theme inspired by a botanical art print.  To see details and shopping sources, read – Fall Mantel with Apples and White Pumpkins.

Simple and neutral fall decor…

Sometimes, less if more.  A couple years ago, I kept my fall mantel super-simple.  To go along with the rest of my neutral decor that year, I just leaned a black mirror with a fall still life art print.  For visual interest, I added a pitcher filled with green stems to coordinate with the theme of the artwork.  To see more details along with my fall tour that year, read – Neutral Fall Decor Ideas for the Home (Cozy Inspiration).

Decorate with classic fall colors…

Yes, there’s that leaning black mirror again!  This time, I mixed classic black and orange for a traditional fall/Halloween vibe.  To see more photos along with a few more fall mantel ideas, read – Decorating a Mantel for Fall (5 Easy Ways). 

Hopefully, I’ve inspired you to decorate your mantel this season!

If these ideas aren’t enough, here are more simple ways to decorate your mantel with elegant fall decor…

• Add string lights or fairy lights for ambiance in the evenings.
• Decorate your mantel with real flowers in autumn hues.
• Hang a simple fall wreath above your mantel.
• For a cozy vibe, line your mantel with candles in different heights.
• Cover your mantel with real and faux pumpkins in different shapes and sizes.

How are you decorating your mantel this fall?

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