Decorating Your Fireplace Mantle Adds Special Touch to Your Room

Many people turn to professional designers who often start decorating projects by taking notes so they can create the desired mood, style, and theme.

Historically, fireplace mantels were first used for cooking and heating. Today, they have become focal point, setting the atmosphere and theme of a room. Simple accessories can be used to enhance the fireplace mantle and room, or convey a holiday or seasonal theme, which transforms the entire room. By paying attention to simple design basics like color, texture, and balance, you can incorporate your decorations together into a beautiful display.

Many people turn to professional designers who often start decorating projects by taking notes so they can create the desired mood, style, and theme. Some designers will use items on hand, while other play with a combination of different items until they discover the best design for that particular customer, and room.

When decorating a room, take a hint for the professionals. Take time and consider how you want the room to look, maybe you want a completely different dramatic look or perhaps you simply want a new way to freshen the daily appearance of the room. Whichever is your desire, remember different combinations of colors and styles accessories you placed in the room, such as Victorian, modern, retro, or country, will affect
the overall theme of the room.

When decorating your mantel you want to create a backdrop by selecting an item, which will be the focal point of the display. Many times this is a painting, wall hanging, or a mirror, which is either hung on the wall just above the mantel, or rested on the mantel. Some people will change the focal point to coordinate with
the occasion or season. Another option is to group several paintings to crate a theme. If this sounds appealing, then keep in mind that you want to place only a few items on the mantel, to keep from creating an overwhelming display.

Lighting is also very important when creating a backdrop. Whether you use candles sconces on either side of your display, install track lighting, or spot lighting you want to ensure that your focal point is not lost in shadows.

The next steps in creating a focal point for your mantel are placement and shape. You can use different heights and sizes of items to create a unique landscape, which will draw attention. To create a symmetrical design, center one item on or above the mantel, then accent it by surround it with identical items on either side.

Remember to create mirror images on both sides of the item for balance. You can layer items by height, using shorter items to overlap larger pieces to create a sense of formality.

The most popular designs are the asymmetrical designs, which create a sense of motion by using different items on each side of the mantle. When using this form, you have to keep the weight of each item visually balanced. What this means, is if you have two large objects on one end of the mantel, then balance the other end with a grouping of four or five small objects. By placing objects around a central item, which acts as an anchor, you can create a radial design. To keep this form of arrangement from becoming too busy, display it similar to a symmetrical format.

You can use a layered looked, using several small pieces and greenery or garland as a filler for an autumn or winter display. Layering if often to heavy for other seasons, except if the mantel is large and in a sizeable banquet or great room with raised ceilings.

However you decorate your mantel, make sure you always follow fire safety precautions. Remember not to place anything too close to the hearth itself, use a protective screen to prevent a tragic fire caused from stray sparks.

The mantel isn't the only part of the fireplace that you can decorate. During the spring and summer when you are not using your fireplace consider filling the black void with an arrangement of candles and greenery. This can be a wonderful seasonal display that draws attention and complements as well. Another suggestion is to
simple stack logs in your fireplace, if you wish, you can accent them with ivy, or other greenery. Another alternative is to use a painted fireplace screen as your focal point.

There are countless ideas to choose when decorating your mantel and fireplace.  However, by using these designer tips, you can transform any room into a memorable space.
 

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