If you have a mantel you want to decorate for fall, I have simple ideas you’ll just love! Keep reading to get all of the inspiration for fall mantel decor, rustic and modern farmhouse styles and all varieties thereof for 2023!
Simple Fall Mantel Ideas – Where It’s At
Before I moved into our home in Tennessee almost 3 years ago, I dreamed of having a mantel to decorate. We were lucky enough to have 2 fireplaces in our new home – but no mantels. Can you even believe that?!?
Before my dad was kind enough to build me a mantel, I would style a shelf just above my TV and pretend it was a mantel. And honestly, it worked! So if you don’t have a mantel to decorate, a large shelf on a sizeable wall will do the trick.
Here’s proof, lol. This was my “fall mantel” last year:
And this year:
I’m all about keeping life simple and decorating simple, so a mantel is no different. {You can see how I decorated real mantel in the roundup below!}
How Do I Style a Mantel?
Once I got my mantel, I set off to learn about how to style one correctly. This post right here is all the details about decorating a mantel, both in general and more specifically, in rustic style.
However, it included some of the basics of mantel decorating, which was inspired by the Joanna Gaines herself. You can read the post for all the specifics, but basically, it includes an anchor, height, greenery and stems, layering and asymmetrical items.
These mantel decorating principles can be applied to any season.
Home Decorating Trends for Fall 2024
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As I’ve been keeping an eye out on trends, I’m seeing a move toward modern decor – not super-modern, but modern mixed in with other styles like boho, farmhouse, rustic, etc.
What I mean by modern is cleaner lines, simpler displays, less clutter. Less cutesy signs and objects, but more stylish or upscale-looking decor.
A few trends to consider when you’re decorating your mantels for fall this season:
(You can click the images below to get them on Amazon!)
Pampas Grass:
This one isn’t just for fall but it works perfectly for fall! The neutral beige colors go perfectly with fall decor and gives it that harvest-y feeling.
Faux Stems with Big Brown Leaves
I’ve seen this in many homes this season as well – oversized faux brown leaves – eucalyptus, aspen, oak, and maple. They give a rustic feel, and also look fantastic as garland for the mantel.
They work especially well if you have a neutral, muted style. They also looking amazing with vintage decor.
Brown Bottles:
These bottles can be used with pampas grass or wheat stalks or other kinds of faux fall stems. Even branches from your own yard will work for this look.
They come in all sizes – and be sure to keep an eye out brown bottles you might have that you can repurpose. I purchased a kids’ probiotic that came in a small bottle like this, which I repurposed as decor!
Moody Color Schemes:
Rich and moody colors for fall are trending for sure!
A few years ago, I did a navy and copper fall theme, and I painted-by-hand all my own pumpkins because the stores didn’t sell them last year. Navy is an unexpected but gorgeous choice to include in fall decor.
Dark burgundy, burnt orange, navy blue, khaki green all are fabulous choices for dark, moody fall aesthetic.
Try to push your style boundaries a little this year and see where you end up!
30 Fall Mantel Decorating Ideas
To get inspiration, it often helps me to look at what others do and pick elements I love and try to incorporate that in my home. Sometimes, I love the whole look so much that I try to recreate the entire thing!
Today, I’m sharing 30 mantels from some pretty spectacular home decor Instagrammers and bloggers.
There are all kinds of fall mantel decor here – traditional, modern and minimalistic, rustic, boho, farmhouse. Whatever is your style of choice, you’ll find inspiration. Personally, I’m a little more eclectic, so I usually try to blend a few different looks.
Take a look here to get some ideas for your own mantel – and be sure to go check out these Instagram accounts and follow them. A ton more ideas await you!
From Janan @athomewithjanan
I love the simplicity of this decor! Earth tone pumpkins and faux greenery - this one is styled to perfection without being too much.
From Kim @pinebendhome
I'm just adoring the moody vibes in this one! It's a simple, streamlined color pallet that steps outside of your traditional orange and yellow. But oh my, it WORKS! You can also see those oversized brown leaves in action here, as well! (Be sure to check out her IG - she was just featured in Cottages and Bungalows!)
From Charity @houseonlouisemeadow
There's nothing like a large wooden sign for a statement piece on a mantel! The color brings all the right attention and is paired perfectly with the stems. The white pumpkins add a touch of brightness. So beautiful!
From Kristen @kristenjackal
If minimalist decorating is your thing, you can totally do a fall mantel! Modern, clean, minimalist. It's the opposite end of the spectrum of traditional fall decor but looks so striking. Stunning.
From Margy @theoldhouseonmain
Statement walls are a hot trend and this one, along with the black fireplace, is a perfect backdrop for fall decor. An oversized mirror, a sign, and some carefully chosen fall accents create a cozy sitting area for fall.
From Wendy @thecuratedfarmhouse
If you love a vintage vibe, you will love this mantel display! A cohesive color theme through out and did you notice? Fall themed but not a pumpkin in sight! Perfectly executed!
From Erin @mytexashouse
If you love neutral fall decor and pumpkins are your must-have items, this mantel will definitely inspire! I love that bottom of the fireplace is the focal point! That's a smart style tip, if you happen to have a TV over your mantel!
From Molly @littlecajunhouse
Another mantel style tip in action here - layers! I love the layers of the mirrors and signs, the books, the varying levels of the bottles. This display works so well together. Just the right amount of accents. You can also see the brown bottles and oversized brown leaves at work.
From Ann-Marie @thisvictorianfarmhouse
Muted traditional colors look beautiful here! If you have built-ins, there are so many ideas you can pull from here to add in fall decor without overdoing it! Brilliantly styled.
from Haley @freefam.home
Absolutely love the cozy rustic feel here. A clock, a wood board- so many items can be incorporated that don't scream 'fall' but are perfect accents. You can also see here that it's totally fine to mix faux greens with fall decor.
From Jennifer @foreveryoungfarmhouse
A few simple but strong pieces are all you need! The stems fill out the stretch of the mantel along with some carefully chosen fall pieces. Have you noticed? Brown bottles and brown leaves!
From Janelle @janelletrinetteinteriors
Candlesticks, an oversized jar vase, meticulously placed pumpkins with a statement sign in the center...with traditional fall colors, this one is cozy, simple, and striking.
From Molly @nestedsanctuary
There are so many element I love in this display: the pampas grass and birch logs below, the use of a neutral palette of candle sticks, vases, and books, with the warm yellow candles and leaves.
We see so many white-washed brick fireplaces these days - I think this is a stunning model to follow if you have a warmer color fireplace and mantel area.
From Ana @fiddleleafinteriors, Fiddle Leaf Blog
I love the rustic feel of this brick fireplace with German schmeer effect. For those who prefer more of an asymmetrical feel to their decor, this is styled perfectly! Look closely at this one - lots of unique pieces included!
@myfarmhouseheritage
The circle mirror with the wreath is a beautiful focal point along with the hanging greens. Add in some fall signs and decor and you have an absolutely stunning mantel.
From Aria @aria82
A fall mantel that uses batches of just a few items has a powerful effect. Pumpkins, candlesticks, leaves... those are the elements with a sign for an anchor, but how beautifully striking!
From Sarah @sarahwilliamshome
If you look closely at this one, there are really just a few fall items, but that is all it needs! The sign, the basket, the bead garland - they pair perfectly with the fall decor and fall colors without having to be exclusively 'fall.'
That's a smart decor tip as well - multi-seasonal pieces! If you like a simpler touch, this provides a lot of inspiration!
from Carissa @bless_this_nest
Just love the simple color scheme here with the woods, whites, and greens! Eucalyptus works for any season, and I think the wood slices and chunky candlesticks works perfectly to add in the warmth of fall.
A Hundred Affections, 2022
This is my most recent fall mantel, in 2022! The big switch I made was not having a sign (with words) as a statement piece. I wanted to try something new, so I went with an upcycled thrifted frame, scrapbook paper background, and a wheat wreath. The other details came together just as I hoped they would!
A Hundred Affections, 2021
This was my mantel in 2021! I primarily went with a wheat and terra cotta color scheme with some amber bottles and a little bit of green thrown in.
The printable sign came from my Etsy shop, as I'm a sucker for a fall quote, especially if it's a literary one! (Former English teacher here!)
from Hip and Humble Style
I'm a long-time fan of Deb's style! Her minimalist yet modern farmhouse style is always right at the edge of what's current and trending, with lots of unique ideas to incorporate! i'm loving that dough bowl of gourds in a warm and toasty fall color scheme.
from Liz Marie Blog
Here's another beautiful one from Liz Marie! If you aren't quite ready to say goodbye to summer, the white pumpkins with a rustic garden theme is the way to go!
from Michaela Diane Designs
I love the simplicity of this mantel display. The pops of burnt orange are all you really need. That quote is a favorite, and the pillow is the perfect touch to pull it all together. I also just adore taht leaf garland.
from Janelle Trinette
How perfect is this set-up?? The white contrasted with the grey background, the simplicity of the decor pieces chose: fall stems, candlesticks, pumpkins and a simple sign. Elegance and perfection.
from Blogs by Aria
This is another wonderful example of white pumpkins paired with burnt orange and amber. The mantel is perfectly balance and this looks is executed brilliantly!
from Bless This Nest
If you love the green and white themed fall decor look, this one needs to be your inspiration photo. The overflowing eucalyptus and greens, the white pumpkins and candles, the gold candlesticks and mirror (and Anthropologie dupe, by the way!) - just stunning.
From She Gave It a Go
I love the asymmetrical feel of this display. The off-center signs and garland, balanced with the candle... the end result is cozy fall magic.
from Life by Leanna
An oversized sign as a statement piece, taper candles, garland - all comes together gorgeously here. I also love the attention paid to the hearth. So cozy!
From Rain and Pine
Here's another example of an oversized sign - this time in minimalist black-and-white- as a statement piece for a fall mantel. Eucalyptus garland, amber bottles all contribute to a neutral theme display. The neutral colors extend to the hearth as well, including pillows, pumpkins, flowers and leaves in ceramic crocks. This is stunning.
Farmhouse Living
If rustic minimalism is your jam, I think you'll love this one. A lovely vintage style mirror, taper candles and candlesticks and an amber vase with wheat and pampas themed stems... a lovely neutral fireplace that's classy and not overdone.
From Sincerely Marie Designs
I love how nature is doing the heavy lifting here! Leaves, pumpkins, gourds... this is masterfully arranged!
A Hundred Affections 2023
This fall mantel has an industrial rustic farmhouse flair, while adding in bursts of color and some modern accents, like a round gold mirror, to warm things up.
Impressive Fall Mantel Decor, Right?
How amazing were these? I love all of the unique looks and takes on how to style a mantel!
If you are wanting some more fall decorating inspiration, I’ve got you covered! Here you’ll find more 30 more cozy and classy fall decorating ideas including more mantels as well as entry ways, console tables and more. For even more, take a look at these:
More Fall Decorating Ideas
If you need some more inspiration for fall decorating – budget friendly decor, DIYs, porch inspiration, wreath projects – I’ve got it right here! Click on the links below for more ideas!
15 Easy to Create Fall Table Decor Ideas
11 Crazy Easy (And Creative) Ways to Decorate for Fall on a Budget
30 Stunning Fall Farmhouse Porch Ideas + 10 Style Tips
25+ Amazing Rustic Fall DIY Projects
30 Classy & Cozy Fall Decorating Ideas (Mantels, Entryways, Dining/Kitchen Areas)
Budget-Friendly Fall Decorations
30 Easy & Amazing DIY Fall Wreaths
More Mantel Ideas
30 Stunning Farmhouse Christmas Mantels to Inspire Yours
30 Best Spring Farmhouse Mantel Ideas You Need to See
30+ Fresh and Beautiful Summer Mantel Decorating Ideas
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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