25 Summer Mantel Decorating Ideas That Look Gorgeous

Love seasonal decor? Summer is the perfect time to refresh your mantel! A summer-themed mantel can bring the vibrant energy of the season into your home.

Mantels offer endless creative possibilities for decoration, and I’m excited to share some fresh ideas to help you get started. Seize this opportunity to spruce up your mantel and showcase your creativity this summer!

Decorate With Bud Vases

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Have fun with florals. Rather than grouping stems together in one large vase, opt for bud vases or smaller jars and create a sunny display on the mantel that is sure to brighten everyone in your household’s day.

You can change out the type of flower you showcase with each new season, too. Or go faux—with so many fabulous fake flowers on the market, no one will be able to tell the difference.

Line Up Pillar Candlesticks

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Line up those pillar candlesticks for maximum impact. During the day, you’ll be able to appreciate this fun arrangement, and at night, lighting the candles will create a relaxing ambiance.”

Use decorative items of various sizes and heights to create visual interest and create balance,” says interior designer Rozit Arditi.

Layer In a Portrait

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Source an old portrait in an ornate frame at a flea market or estate sale and give it pride of place on your mantel.”I like to make sure that my mantels have a good balance in regards to scale,” says interior designer Michelle Gage.

“You’ll likely need something tall at the center—like a mirror or artwork. Then, play with objects of varying heights beside it…be it a plant, vase or brass object.”

Vintage fireplace with bright floral mantel decor.

This decor is classy and vintage, yet it still incorporates the elements of summer.

For this decor, incorporate vintage elements like distressed frames, antique vases, and weathered candle holders.

Don’t forget to add a burst of color with bright flowers, showing off the beauty of summer blooms.

This is a nostalgic and cheerful decor theme that will add charm to your fireplace.

Simple white and brown mantel decor.

This decor is clean and simple.

For this decor, opt for clean lines and minimalistic accents.

You can do this by using a neutral color palette of white and brown.

Also arrange simple yet elegant decor pieces such as white candles, wooden frames, and textured ceramics to complement the natural beauty of summer.

This decor is timeless and exudes sophistication; it’s perfect for people who love simplicity.

Cottage-inspired mantel decor.

This decor has the charm of a countryside cottage.

For this decor, it’s best to embrace rustic elements like weathered wood, woven baskets, and floral patterns.

Incorporate homely touches like decorative prints.

You should also add flowers, plants, or a wreath to infuse your mantel with the spirit of summer. .

Modern brown mantel decor.

This decor has a more contemporary style. It’s all about infusing your mantel with a sleek and chic aesthetic.

Incorporate rich brown hues and textured surfaces to add depth and warmth to your mantle.

Show off your minimalist decor pieces, such as vases, abstract artwork, mirrors, and unique candle holders, to achieve a refined and contemporary look.

Simple mantel decor with woven basket wall decor.

This decor is minimalist yet has a charming look.

It really embraces the natural and rustic feel of woven baskets to add texture and visual interest to your space.

For a touch of freshness, place a small potted plant or a vase of fresh flowers on the mantel.

Choose items that complement the natural vibe of the woven baskets and maintain the simplicity of the overall look.

Vintage mantel decor with large greenery.

This decor screams timeless elegance.

For this decor, incorporate vintage-inspired decor elements such as antique frames, sculptures, ornate candle holders, and distressed accents.

Adorn your mantel with lush greenery such as oversized potted plants, trailing ivy, or cascading ferns to add a touch of natural beauty and freshness.

Rustic mantel decor with a gold-framed mirror.

This decor will help create a cozy retreat in your home.

For this decor, hang a large gold-framed mirror above the mantel to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space.

Surround the mirror with rustic decor elements such as wood accents, wrought iron candle holders, and earthy textures.

Rustic mantel decor with barn painting.

This mantle decor brings the charm of the countryside into your home.

For this decor, hang a large barn painting above the mantel to serve as the focal point of the decor.

Keep the color palette muted and earthy to complement the rustic theme.

Opt for warm neutrals such as beige, brown, and gray.

Dark fireplace with summer greenery.

Transform your dark fireplace into a vibrant focal point.

For this decor, embrace the season.

Adorn your mantle with fresh foliage and flowers.

It’s great to contrast the dark backdrop with greenery and a refreshing burst of color that will bring life to your living room and also evoke the essence of summer.

Minimalist mantel decor featuring summer artwork.

For this decor, opt for clean lines and uncluttered arrangements, allowing a single piece of summer-themed artwork to take center stage.

Choose an artwork that captures the beauty of the season, whether it’s a serene beach scene, a vibrant floral print, or a minimalist landscape.

Let the artwork speak for itself.

Hang a Statement Piece

If you’re not into the layered look, one big piece works perfectly over a mantel. “I wanted a striking piece of art that would captivate the eye the moment you turn into the room,” says home stager Jason Saft.

He found this incredible piece (called Pink Cloud by Ulas & Merv) on Artstar. Because it’s clearly the star of the show, he kept the rest of the styling minimal, adding some white vases and a low vase of dried flowers.

Pattern Play

Floral patterned wall behind fireplace mantel

Your mantel encompasses not just the shelf of your fireplace, but everything surrounding it, too—meaning the wall situated alongside your fireplace mantel is also fair game for decor.

Use it as an opportunity to bring a bit of texture and visual interest to your space, especially if you want to keep it basic with the accessories.

Here, Bethany Sy from Reality Daydream put up a charming printed paper from Spoonflower, accenting the eclectic nature print with seasonless accessories like rattan trays, wood candlesticks, and potted plants.

Curate Cool Objects

Fireplace Mantel Decor, Pink Art and Ferns around white fireplace

For fireplace mantel decor that is as classic (and seasonless!) as it is timeless, play around with a curated selection of accessories and lots of symmetry, like Paige Minear from The Pink Clutch did in her living room.

The lifestyle blogger, who gravitates towards preppy motifs and classic silhouettes, styled up her brick and wood mantle with mirroring brushstroke jars from Jana Bek and vintage candle sconces, uniting the center with a stack of books, plant, and artwork from Paige Gemmel, all in a playful palette of hues to keep things vibrant.

Bright Lights

pink neon heart light on teal fireplace mantel

If all eyes are heading to your fireplace mantel decor, you might as well give ’em something good to look at! At least, that’s what we’d imagine the motto of Amelia Brooks to be, who created this stunning space in her Victorian townhouse.

The design enthusiast (she runs online shopping destination Audenza, alongside her mom and sister) fulfilled her maximalist fantasies by coating the entire room—mantel included—in rich peacock teal (Serpentine by Zoffany), then accentuating the scene with equally gutsy accessories like a ceramic cheetah, an art print by Dodo Flugge and a pink neon heart light.

Pile On the Plants

Elevate your houseplants to a spot of respect by placing a bevy of them on your mantel for everyone to admire.

Sarah Symonds from Grace in My Space used pothos that she was propagating to dot her mantel, placing the plant babies alongside the eye-catching mother plant, of course.

Make It Moody

Dark paint and plant on fireplace mantel

White mantels are classic, but bathing your whole fireplace area in a dark color makes it feel cool and cozy.

To make it feel more spring/summer, Lucy Akins of Craftberry Bush brightened up her moody mantle with several cool bulb arrangements (you can see exactly how she made them here).

An assortment of brass candlesticks add some height and visual interest.

Display Dried Greens

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Fresh or dried greenery looks fabulous on the mantel all year long, not just during the winter holidays.

“Candles and fresh florals or greenery are always an instant way to liven up a space and a mantel,” Young says. “Opt for tall greens or branches.”

Line Your Mantel With Books

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Running out of room to store all of your novels? Go ahead and turn to the mantel.

You don’t have to be a bookworm to appreciate this cozy setup, though—your living room will feel like an old-timey library with a sweet touch like this one.

Decorate With Empty Frames

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Embrace shabby chic style by decorating your fireplace mantel with empty vintage or antique picture frames which can be sourced at thrift stores or online.

Layer several atop your mantel to create a timeless display with a romantic feel.

Decorate Around the TV

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Oftentimes, the most ideal spot to hang a TV is over the mantel—but don’t let that stop you from having a little decorating fun.

You can still easily incorporate plants, pictures, and candles as we see above, all of which add personality to any space without blocking the view.

Display Colorful Glass

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Show off your glassware collection by grouping a few favorite pieces on the mantel top—bonus points if they all fall within the same color family.

Add Coastal Decor

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Celebrate coastal style by incorporating some nautical touches to your mantel.

Anchor-themed decor, wooden art, and of course, lots of coral, will do the trick. Arditi also appreciates decorating around a theme—to a degree.

“Don’t make it random,” she advises. “Find objects and art that complement each other, but don’t necessarily make it matchy-matchy.”

Brick fireplace with mirrors.

For this decor, allow your fireplace to shine by keeping the decor minimal.

Add mirrors with decorative frames to add depth to the space.

The reflective surfaces will not only brighten up the room but also create the illusion of a larger and more spacious area.

Pair the mirrors with simple decor accents like vases or greenery.

Floral-themed mantel decor.

For this decor, arrange fresh or faux floral arrangements in vases or pots along the mantel.

Choose flowers that evoke the essence of summer.

Add floral-patterned decor such as framed botanical prints, floral-patterned candles, or decorative plates.

Minimalist mantel decor.

To achieve a clean and contemporary look for your mantle.

Keep the design simple and uncluttered, focusing on a few carefully chosen elements.

It’s best to embrace neutral color palettes and clean lines to create a sense of calm in your space.

Allow each element to stand out and make a statement.

Floral fireworks with sentimental pieces.

Create a sweet display on your mantle.

For this decor, arrange colorful flowers in varying heights and sizes, creating a dynamic and eye-catching focal point. You can also add a garland.

Put up some sentimental items, such as family photos, heirlooms, or meaningful quotes or poems, among the floral arrangements to add a personal touch to the decor.

Neutral cottage mantel decor.

For this decor, choose a soft and soothing color palette consisting of neutral tones such as white, beige, cream, and soft gray.

Decorate the mantel with vintage finds such as antique frames, weathered mirrors, or distressed wood signs.

These nostalgic accents add character and personality to the space, infusing it with cottage-inspired charm.

White and black mantel decor.

For this decor, play with contrast by incorporating decor pieces in shades of white and black.

Arrange white candles, vases, or sculptures against a backdrop of black picture frames, decorative objects, or a painted mantel.

This sophisticated color scheme adds depth and drama to your mantel!