How to Decorate Antique Mantels

Antique mantels make a great centerpiece for your living room. With antique mantels, you can enjoy a cozy open fire surrounded by an antique marble, metal, or stone surround. Often, however, a mantel can get neglected—but there are a number of different ways to decorate your mantel and create an even more effective centerpiece in the room.

Depending on the season, decorating ideas use natural materials, flowers, and leaves, along with décor constructed from items you already have in the home. The mantel is the ideal place for displaying artifacts, collectibles, and the items you’ve found that you want everyone to see. Artwork is one idea for decorating your antique mantel. Decorate the mantel with drawings or paintings, photographs, or collages that you love. The artwork doesn’t have to be expensive; it can even be homemade.

The mantel is also a great place for family photos. Display your favorite photos in different frames and group them on the mantel in layers of different heights and sizes. Or, you could go with one single, bold painting to form the showcase artwork above your mantel.

Mirrors are also a good decorating idea for the mantel in your living room. Mirrors seem to expand the space in the room and create a striking impression when you walk in. Large vertical mirrors can make the ceiling appear higher. Both ornate and simple mirrors look great in the space above a mantel, and they are also functional pieces of art. Alternatively, a clock above the mantel is an effective, interesting decorative object as well as also being functional.

For a natural look and an inexpensive way to decorate your mantel, use items from the great outdoors. Pick up decorative pine cones, ornamental tree branches, acorns, stones, and shells. Anything beautiful can work well on top of the mantel — and you can change the décor theme according to the season. Beach stones and shells are ideal for the summer months, while pine cones and pine branches make excellent Christmas decorations.

If you have a collection of artifacts, objects, or art, the mantel is the ideal place to display it. Make the mantel a focal point and visitors will naturally gravitate to the mantel to see what you have displayed. The good thing about a mantel is the ease with which you can change the decoration, making the mantel an ever-changing showcase of your art and design taste.

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Olde Good Things specializes in architectural and altered antiques for your home and garden. Visit http://www.ogtstore.com/architectural-antiques/antique-mantels.html for antique mantels, farm tables, vintage décor ideas, furniture, lighting, antiques, and artifacts.