Fireplace Mantel Accessories Guide
To really play up the looks of your fireplace, you can invest in fireplace mantel accessories. Accessories for your mantel don’t need to be expensive. They can be whimsical, drawn from nature, and highly personal. The point is to play up the good looks of your fireplace and add charm and warmth to your hearth.
When choosing fireplace mantle accessories, use a small number of high-quality pieces as your starting point. Perhaps an antique mantel clock will be your focal point. A nice set of brass candle holders is another way to give your mantelpiece style and weight, or get a large, unique vase that can hold fresh or dried flowers.
After you’ve chosen your anchor items, start looking for ways to personalize your mantel shelf. Be creative and let your mantle show off your personality. Use personal treasures that can be loosely grouped under a single theme. These can include photographs in unique frames, figurines, and antiques and collectables.
Don’t be limited to only one set of mantel accessories. You can change things up when the mood suits you. Seasonal items provide you with a way to express your artistic side and add variety to your home décor. Springtime is the time to put freshly cut flowers into your mantel vase. You can also force daffodils or paperwhite narcissus into bloom and place them on your mantel shelf. Summertime is the time to collect wildflowers and set out green plants as mantel accessories. In the fall, add colored leaves, pumpkins, and dried flowers to reflect the mood of the changing seasons. For the holidays, pine garland and velvet ribbon sets the mood for the holiday season.
Safety should also guide you when choosing mantle accessories. Anything flammable, especially pine boughs, should be kept up on the mantel shelf and not be allowed to dangle in front of the fireplace where it could catch fire. Be careful of cobwebs and dust gathering on your mantelpiece, as they can easily burst into flame.