The mantelpiece has never quite been in the spotlight as much as now. From the gorgeous, and often elaborate, mantelscapes filling up our Instagram feeds, to the most beautiful accessories and trinkets from our favourite home retailers, we have all the inspiration we need to nail the mantelscape trend.
What is mantelscaping?
Similar to tablescaping (which is focused on mesmerising table settings), mantelscaping is more focused on artfully arranged decorations above your fireplace.
‘Whether you’re a maximalist or minimalist, mantelscaping is all about curating a collection of things that bring colour, texture and showcase your favourite things,’ says Daisy Coombes, Marketing Manager at Sass & Belle. ‘From books, artwork, and vases, to planters, candles and trinkets, your mantelpiece should be a place to express yourself and breathe a new lease of life into your scheme from season to season, or even week to week.’
No fireplace? Fear not. Mantelscaping works just as well on a sideboard, shelf, or any area against a wall.
How do you actually create a cohesive and considered mantelscape?
‘When planning your mantelscape, opt for accessories with a common colour thread or pattern to create a cohesive look, whether that’s tonal or one colour. But make sure you mix up height, shape and texture to add interest,’ explains Daisy.
Remember the ‘rule of three’ styling trick, which aligns with Sass & Belle’s top tip for displaying your treasure trove of favourite things – always group items in odd numbers to create an arrangement that is visually more aesthetic.
And, of course, pay close attention to height. Daisy suggests stacking books on your fireplace mantel to elevate smaller trinkets, so they don’t get lost amongst taller accessories. ‘We love to display various sized posey vases with stems of dried flowers to add colour and height,’ she adds. ‘Why not try propping mirrors or prints behind trinkets and plants to add depth?’
Like everything in your home, ensure your mantel is a reflection of your personal taste, whether that’s pared-back or quirky. Once you’ve finished styling the mantel of your dreams, take a step back to assess the balance and ensure you’re happy with it. Remember, you can tweak it as often as you like and swap in flowers or accessories for a fresh new look.
Mantelscaping isn’t just a spring/summer trend
Importantly, it doesn’t really matter what season it is because mantelscaping works well for spring/summer and autumn/winter, and just as much for Easter and Christmas. For example, spring and summer is ideal for colourful flowers or trailing plants, in autumn introduce berry and burnt orange accents, and for the festive season go all out with a garland and twinkling LED lights.
When it comes to winter, Larry Walshe, founder of luxury online florist, Bloom, explains: ‘If you’re lucky enough to have a mantelpiece, you can make it the crowning glory of a room by adorning it with greenery entwined with winter flowers. Ideally you would use fresh foliage such as fragrant spruce, conifer branches or eucalyptus, but faux foliage also looks striking when combined with twinkling fairy lights and berries.
‘Dried orange or lime slices, sprigs of lavender, pinecones… these all make wonderful additions to your mantelpiece marvel. Styling your mantelpiece for winter will make it the striking focal point of a room and draw the admiring eyes (and praise) of visitors and family alike.’
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