How to Decorate a Spring Mantel
How to Decorate a Spring Mantel
Let’s talk about how to decorate your mantel for spring! Decorating a spring mantel doesn’t need to be complicated. By following a few simple guidelines you can create a look that’s interesting and visually appealing. These tips can be used in any decorating project and are basic principles of interior design that anyone can do with a little practice and planning.
Today I’m joining the Celebrate Spring Home Tour hosted by my friend Leen at Sand Dollar Lane. She always has the prettiest coastal decorating ideas. If you haven’t seen her post yet, be sure to visit her here: Sand Dollar Lane. And if you’re just coming over from Leen’s, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here! I also post on Facebook and Instagram and would love for you to visit me there!
For the tour, I’m sharing our spring mantel along with how I created this look. You can also get ideas for decorating your home for spring from the other talented bloggers on this tour at the bottom of this post. Here’s a sneak peek:
For this year’s spring mantel I only used things that I had with the exception of the pink carnations. Everything else was in my stash/hoard or from my online shop, Emory Valley Mercantile.
I shop at estate sales, auctions, and thrift stores year round and have been doing so for decades so my stash/hoard is actually way too large. I do enjoy shopping my house and moving things around to create new looks though, so I’m happy that I have these items to play with.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. I may make a small commission on products purchased with my link, but your price does not change. For full disclosure go here: Disclosure and Policies. Thank you for supporting my site.
For some unexplained reason I’ve been really craving color in our house recently so I wanted to create a spring mantel that would satisfy that craving. Whatever the reason, you can expect to see lots of color in my upcoming posts. Stay tuned! And be sure to subscribe to my newsletter if you aren’t already.
Anyway, let’s talk about our colorful spring mantel and I’ll show you how to decorate your spring mantel to its full potential.
Shopping Resources
If you’re interested in creating a look like you see here, scroll to the bottom of the post where I’m sharing resources for the items I used in this project, or items as close as I could find that are currently available.
1. COLOR – Use colors associated with spring
I don’t know about you, but I like to change the colors in our house several times a year to coordinate with the current season. Some people just change shoes and purses, but I also change pillows and decor. I just can’t help myself. Last week I shared our pink and green spring table decor.
Different colors might make you think of spring depending on where you live, and you can certainly use any color you want. But here in Tennessee, we have dozens of varieties of wildflowers blooming and I love to use those colors for my spring decorating.
Here are the main colors I used for our spring mantel this year:
- Green – books, sign, large glass jar, faux succulents, stoneware birds
- Pink – fresh carnations from the grocery store, faux hydrangeas, roll of striped ribbon
- Yellow – the fabric pennant has some yellow in it
- White – milk glass vases, vintage wooden corbel, vintage wooden spindles, wooden candlesticks
Spring fabric pennant banner
One of my favorite elements of this spring mantel is the simple fabric pennant banner. Here’s how I made this if you’re interested in making one too:
- Gather fabric samples or scraps. You could also use old clothing or sheets, or really any fabric that you like.
- Using pinking shears, cut your fabric into triangle shapes.
- Cut a piece of jute twine to the desired length and attach to your mantel or shelf. (I recommend using these hooks or this removable tape to it.)
- Using tiny clothespins, attach your fabric pieces to the twine, spacing evenly apart.
2. Natural Elements
Decorating with natural items is something I love to do any time of the year. In the spring my favorite natural elements are colorful flowers and branches. We have lots of daffodils and other flowers in our yard that I often use, and other times I pick up flowers from the grocery store. Trader Joe’s and Costco have beautiful bouquets at very good prices too.
For this spring mantel these are the simple natural items that I added:
- Flowers – pink carnations, faux hydrangeas
- Greenery – faux succulents
3. TEXTURES & MATERIALS – Use a variety of materials and textures
Layering materials and textures on your mantel or in your decor gives the area depth and interest. There are so many things you can use and here’s what you’ll find on our mantel:
Textures
- Woven – baskets with throw blanket and faux greenery
- Chippy wood – vintage spindles and corbel
- Embossed metal – tin tiles
- Textured glass – milk glass vases and large green glass bottle
- Brick – the painted brick fireplace gives tons of texture. (See my tutorial for painting a brick fireplace here: How to Paint Your Brick Fireplace with a Rustic French Look )
Materials
- Glass – milk glass vases, large green glass bottle
- Wood – sign, wooden caddy, candlesticks, corbel, and spindles
- Textiles – knitted throw blanket, fabric pennant banner
- Metal – tin tiles, little green metal spike flower frog
- Paper – vintage postcard, books
4. HEIGHTS – Use various heights
Using a variety of heights in your design keeps your eye flowing and gives visual appeal to your project. You want to use tall, medium, and short items for the best aesthetic.
These are the items I used to get a variety of heights in our mantel.
- Tall – candlesticks, spindles, flowers in vases
- Medium – books, faux greenery, wood caddy
- Short – ceramic birds, metal flower frogs
5. AGE – Combine old and new items
Vintage items add character and patina to any decorating project. And if you’ve ever read any of my posts then you know that I love to use a mix of old and new items.
I enjoy shopping at estate sales, yard sales, and thrift stores for vintage treasures and I have them scattered throughout our home. (See my tips for shopping at estate sales here: How to Shop Estate Sales Like A Pro) But I also like new items that look old, as well as a few new looking items, and that’s what this mantel has.
Other great places to find nice vintage items are etsy, and eBay.
Here’s a run down of old and new items I’ve used here:
- Vintage – books, vases, architectural elements, throw blanket, basket, metal spike flower frogs
- New – faux greenery, green glass bottle, faux hydrangeas
- New with vintage look – tiles, candlesticks, wood caddy, stoneware birds
6. SHAPE – Add different shapes and lines
The most appealing spaces always have a variety of different lines and shapes found in them. This adds interest and keeps your eyes moving throughout the scene. Our spring mantel has different shaped items as well.
Here’s what I used:
- Straight lines – books, tiles, sign, caddy, planter with faux greenery, vintage wood spindles
- Rounded shapes – milk glass vases, large green glass bottle, candles, vintage wood corbels
- Irregular shapes – flowers, greenery, throw blanket
Did you notice? – without even realizing it, I recreated the vase of flowers that are on my vintage Easter postcard with my large green glass bottle and some faux hydrangeas. Look at it below and then look at the picture above. I guess I’m consistent if nothing else. lol.
That does it for our mantel and my tips for decorating your own spring mantel. Now it’s time to head over and see how Suzy at Worthing Court has decorated her home for spring. You’re going to love it as much as I do!
Here are all of today’s posts:
Sand Dollar Lane // Postcards From The Ridge // Worthing Court // The Tattered Pew // Noting Grace
2 Bees in a Pod // DIY Beautify // Cottage in the Mitten // Southern Home and Hospitality
Sonya Burgess // Thistlekey Lane // Dabbling and Decorating // Aratari at Home
Songbird // Southern Crush Home // Simply 2 Moms // Our Crafty Mom
Zucchini Sisters // Amy Sadler Designs // Bluesky at Home // My Family Thyme
Angie, as always your mantel looks gorgeous 😍
Great post, you really broke down every part of creating a beautiful mantel and I can think of so many other areas these tips would come in handy!
Love the soft green and pinks too. They’re perfect spring colors!
Thanks so much, Leen! I don’t usually decorate with pink and green but it’s fun for spring. Thanks for hosting and organizing the tour. I know it can be challenging sometimes and appreciate your hard work!
Angie – your mantel is always beautiful each and every season! I think this spring display is my new favorite. The pink and green are perfect combinations for highlighting your treasures. Thanks for sharing your fabulous tips!
Thank you so much! I had fun decorating this one. Pink and green aren’t my normal colors but I’ve been enjoying them this spring.
Pink and green are the perfect combo for Spring and those pink carnations make it all pop! Always enjoy seeing your vintage decor and ideas! Thanks for inspiring 🌷
I am a girl who loves color and pink is way up there on the list! Your pink and green look lovely
together. Your afghan in the basket is a pretty treasure, too. So nice touring with you today!
Angie this is my kind of spring mantel! The bunny welcome spring sign is adorable, and even though I don’t decorate a lot with pink, your pops of color are inspiring me. I appreciate your great tips too!
Angie, Your mantel makes my vintage loving heart sing! I tend to overindulge at estate sales, but
at least being a blogger gives us the opportunity to use our cool vintage finds lol! The pops of pink and green are perfect for spring. I love the mini bunting and all of the texture. Thanks for
explaining your decorating process. Pinned!
Angie, I adore all of the spring green you used with just a little punch of pink flowers! It really changes the whole look of the fireplace for the season. I also love what you did with the brick…it’s so light and neutral now. I’ve enjoyed being on the tour with you today!
I love how you brought in all the cheerful spring colors for your mantel, Angie! But my favorite part has got to be the spindles and corbel with that bright green bottle and flowers. So many great tips!
I love your mantel Angie. All your vintage collections especially the old books. So fun🤗
Your mantle and the greens are giving me all the feels! I’m loving the simplicity and wow factor of that fabric pennant, too! Beautifully designed space!
Angie I am loving the colors you chose for Spring and all of your fabulous tips. I love how it all came together. Just beautiful my friend, pinned!
I love the rustic look of your mantel. And the combination with the soft pastels of this spring decor is just perfect. Wonderful post!
Angie I love all the pops of green in the books and that fabulous green glass bottle on your fireplace. I used to make banners much like yours and didn’t realize I missed them to seeing the
one on your mantel. Happy Spring
Angie, I found your blog from my dear friend Kelly over at the Tattered Pew, and I’m so glad I did. Your spring mantle is beautiful! I’d love to share a link to it in my week in rewind post this weekend.
Angie, your Spring mantle is lovely! The colors are perfect for Spring and make me smile. The fabrics in the pretty pennant banner brings it all together beautifully. It is a joy to be on this hop with you. Happy Spring!
Your ideas are so helpful! I am excited to see what colors you add this spring and summer! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve always enjoyed seeing how you decorate your mantel and this one is no exception! I love the colors and how the books, banner and flowers all make your eye keep moving around. It’s perfect and so springified! Sure, that’s a word. 🙂 pinned
Angie – all that Kelly green is so beautiful! You have perfected the mixture of modern and vintage so well! Thank you for the inspiration.