How many of us have mantles but we have no idea how to decorate them? So it either ends up bare and sparse or with way too much stuff on it and instead of being the focal point in your house, it’s now lost. I’m going to teach you step by step how to style your mantle, or console table, or buffet…. whatever it is you have that needs some love. Let’s for sake of the title use a mantle.
First let’s start with our focal point. This is what will be the biggest piece on the surface you are working with. Mirrors are a great option and so is artwork. You can hang them, lean them, layer them- whatever your heart desires. Just make sure you love it enough for it to be the first thing people see. A mirror will help make the space feel bigger and brighter. You can never go wrong with a cute sign to or maybe a large picture of your family. If your T.V. is above your mantle, we can still decorate-just with less!
Farmhouse TV Stand Ideas 
The Unique Nest
Second, let’s start to layer. The world is your oyster here. I won’t tell you what you can or can’t use, but I am going to be specific in how we use it. Here are some examples of what we can use : baskets, vases, frames, candle sticks, garland, candles, lanterns, apothecary jars, plants/flowers, wreaths and the list goes on. The key is to use things of different height, texture, color, width. Again, we don’t want the space to look too staged and even if you are going for that look you will want a variety of what you use. It’s perfectly okay to have symmetry on both sides if that is what you want too!
We are almost there! Okay, we have our focal point (mirror, art work, tv) and we have our accessories. There is no math involved here so if don’t worry about evenly spacing things. There should be a few things are each end (anchors) (bunch them, layer them) maybe the middle and maybe 1 or 2 fillers. Fillers are something that goes between your ends and your middle. Are you still following? Am I making sense? I am in my head anyways. Here is a picture to help in case I lost you along the way.
Still having a hard time envisioning your mantel? Check out these 50 beautiful ideas from Coachdecor.com. Remember when I said the world was your oyster- I wasn’t lying. Start adding your pieces- keeping in mind the ends, middle and fillers. Before you know it, your mantle will look like everything on it was made to be there. It’s not too cluttered and it’s not empty. If a part of the area looks empty or overwhelmed, move things around- take things away, add different things. When it’s right, it will feel right. There should be nothing hidden and you shouldn’t cringe when you eventually have to take everything off to dust.
We used a mantle as an example, but these steps can be followed with a buffet, or console table. Happy styling!
Xoxo, Lexi
Sooo do I have too much on my mine? Did my cluttered mantle inspire you to tell me in a subtle way through your blog lol. Ok I’ll need your help for my new mantle that I have fought tooth and nail to have in the new house because I love decorating them but perhaps could use a lesson😘. Love what you do 💕