The Impact of a Modern Fireplace Mantle on Your Home

A fireplace mantel is an integral part of your home decor. It can add style and personality while protecting your wall from the heat of the fire.

There are several different materials to choose from when designing a fireplace surround and mantel. Some of these include wood, stone, and brick.

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Modern

If you want your mantel to be a focal point in your modern home, it’s essential to consider how it will blend with the rest of the room. Using a neutral color palette on the walls above your fireplace, you can easily keep the decor on your mantel neutral. A mix of vases filled with flowers or a display of framed family photos are great options to balance the clean lines of your fireplace.

You can create a mantel from recycled construction materials, like reclaimed wood or green architectural glass, to give your modern home a cohesive look. Not only does this reduce waste and energy, but it also adds texture and visual interest to the space.

If you’re ready to get bold, painting the wall above your fireplace a rich peacock teal shade like this room did on Make It Right can easily tie the space together. The Save, My Reno team topped the fireplace with an ornately patterned wall art detail to complement the wall painting. It styled the mantel with a curated mix of contemporary accessories.

Eclectic

The hearth is a great place to display eye-catching pieces that could be more suitable for the walls. Unusual consignment store finds, and do-it-yourself decor can add character and depth to a mantel display. Ensure to include items that move the eye, such as a stack of framed prints in different sizes or a vase filled with cherry blossom branches.

Whether a fireplace is used for decorative purposes only or is functional, the mantel can bring a sense of warmth and comfort to a room. If your fireplace is in use, keeping the fire burning safely and using logs that local fire officials approve for safety reasons is essential.

A stacked grouping of framed maps is a fun and easy way to decorate a modern fireplace mantle. Vary the frame shapes and colors to create a one-of-a-kind display. Many of the decorative accents displayed on this quaint fireplace are things you likely already have in your home, such as small art prints and a vase of flowers, making this look inexpensive and easy to replicate.

Traditional

Whether your fireplace is wood-burning or electric, the traditional mantel can be a focal point of your home with just the right accents. For example, the owners of this southern sporting cabin framed their carved mantel with a rustic farm painting to complement the cow figurines lounging around the hearth.

If you have a traditional fireplace surround, you can refresh the look with a fresh coat of paint. A bold hue can help your mantel pop — but be careful not to cover up the intricate details in the carvings.

Layering art prints can significantly impact your space for a quick and easy mantel update. Remember to choose pieces proportional to your anchor piece (like these stacked mirrors to create balance.

Transitional

Before the advent of mechanized contained heating, fireplaces served as a focal point for gatherings in homes. Today, they’re often used as decorative elements, and the mantel can serve as an eye-catching showcase for artwork or family photos.

Using a wood mantel in this space is an easy way to add a warm feel to the room. Wood can be stained or painted to suit any style. Consider painting the mantel a bright white or a cool grey to create a modern sense.

Displaying a collection of vases on the mantel is an easy way to add interest. When choosing vases, mix shapes and sizes to add visual variety. For a playful twist, include some with mustaches — as stylist Sibella Court did in this home.

A reclaimed wood mantel offers an eco-friendly alternative to new construction options. This material is repurposed from demolished old buildings, which reduces waste and gives these materials a second life.