10 Natural Ways to Decorate your Mantel for Fall
As the crisp autumn air settles in, it’s time to embrace the cozy, agrarian charm that the new season brings to our homes. One of the best ways to welcome fall is by transforming your mantel into a natural focal point that captures the season’s warm glow. This year, skip the store-bought decor and opt for a more organic approach. In this post, let’s explore 10 natural ways to decorate your mantel for fall, using natural elements and things you already own to welcome the season. Whether you’re a fan of earthy tones, vibrant foliage, or a mix of both, these ideas will help you create an easy display that feels authentic and tells your own story. Let’s take a look at 10 Natural Ways to Decorate your Mantel for Fall.
I penned this original post a few years ago. It was time to dust it off and update it with pictures from this home with all new text.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons—it’s the perfect time to transform your home decor with warm, seasonal touches that celebrate the beauty of nature. Whether you opt for a diy wreath composed of natural materials in fall colors, small pumpkins,
10 Natural Ways to Decorate your Mantel for Fall
This is my living room fall mantel from last year. The mantel is not very deep, so I don’t have many options. I decorated it simply with elements from my home, antique cabinet doors, an old house vent, and vintage lawn bowling pins. Don’t be afraid to use decorative objects in unexpected ways.
This was our fall season mantel at the fixer-upper house. I used the old tool and dye panels that I found at Roundtop, old lawn bowling or exercise pins at varying heights (also from Roundtop), and a wicker basket (filled with sunflowers) from a favorite consignment shop that I miss dearly. This mantel was the perfect place for a portrait we inherited from Steve’s parents and a pumpkin. You might enjoy my post, Natural Fall Collected Home Tour, for more fall decor ideas.
This cozy fall mantel is from our former home (I miss that fireplace). I used one door panel from an antique corner cabinet, the tool and dye panel, fall leaves in an old Hungarian pickling jar, and the same vintage pins. You will notice I use these elements a lot. This iteration is one of many that I created for my post Collected Fall mantle four ways, which you can read here.
This is our courtyard fireplace mantel adorned with foraged fall branches from our property, cinderella pumpkins from the pumpkin patch in different sizes and colors, and our Home Depot clock.
This arrangement is also from our former home. I utilized the same tool and dye panel, an old vintage breadboard, an old house vent, and the same basket (viewed above on the fixer-upper mantel), as well as foraged fall foliage in warm tones. The fern is faux (I don’t mind faux if it looks real!) If you prefer something more lavish, you could add mini pumpkins, string lights, faux pumpkins, or some real or faux branches.
This simple fall mantel from our former Chualar home is anchored by a wreath I created for the center of the mantel in 2018. Occasionally, I opt for a more balanced look. It was the perfect finishing touch to that year’s festive fall decor. I have had the Manzanita base for years. I still do! You can read my post on how I made it in the post DIY wreath from Foraged Materials here.
Here is our courtyard fireplace decked out (actually for Christmas) with a magnolia wreath and garland from the wonderful Magnolia Company. I added the Christmas greens. This arrangement could survive through fall and into the Christmas holidays if you wish.
I really loved incorporating my Native American baskets, with a Horchow mirror from years ago, and of course foraged fall leaves in a vintage green glass jar.
I created this mantle scape several years ago for a Project Design series. It was actually in theory a Spring mantel. However, the composition might help you. You can read that post, How to Style your Spring Mantle Four Ways here. It might give you some good ideas as well. You can find vintage wicker covered bottles on Etsy here. You can also find block print tablecloths on etsy here.
The primary bedroom in our former home had a charming corner fireplace. Here I decorated it with a simple vintage portrait and candlesticks. Sometimes less is more…
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I hope this post 10 Natural Ways to Decorate your Mantel for Fall has provided you with inspiration to embrace the beautiful fall florals and the color palette of the autumn season. Don’t be afraid to use things you already own in new ways for your fall mantel ideas. With these natural touches, your mantel will become a cozy, seasonal focal point, celebrating the beauty of fall in a simple and natural way.
I always enjoy and am inspired by your styling posts and have to agree that if you use what you love (reinventing it a bit) it always works. We don’t have a fireplace (or mantle) in our new home, butI do finally have a covered entry large enough for a bistro table and chairs. So many possibilities there. Design is so often a trade-off.
Hi Janet
I couldn’t agree more. I find it to be the same with my wardrobe. Be creative and use what you have before you run out and buy anything new!
I just don’t have the storage or the confidence to change things around. Nor the energy, as we have a tiny little eccentric coast cottage with a half acre garden which is where we prefer to be – digging in the soil.
But in the townhouse, I have a navy suite in a cream living room with high ceilings, and one whole wall is a bookcase filled with books and important memorabilia. The suite is decorated in cream and navy cushions of many textures and that’s as far as it all goes. I sometimes get bored with it all.
I so wish I had your style and eye to spark it up.
Mind you, come our autumn next year, I’m going to invest in boxloads of pumpkins!!!!
Hi Prue!
I would probably be of the same mind if I didn’t blog! So many people ask if I am constantly moving furniture around. The answer is no. If I find something new (which is rare), I might be inspired to move something around. Otherwise it stays where it is planted. I do like changing my mantle, coffee table, and bookcase decor seasonally but that is about it!
It is sooooo hot here in Southern California -Fall is a long way off. Everything in your post is lovely but I can’t get inspired when it’s hard to breathe outside ‼️
Hope springs eternal for cooler, normal temps ;-/
Hi Cathy
So true! You notice I have not changed anything here yet this year! It is supposed to cool down 20 degrees on Monday! We will all welcome that won’t we?
I have to laugh about the “crisp autumn air”. I think there was a touch of that but not this week! I like the way you arranged the little Votivo candles with the moss around them. Something easy enough for almost anyone to do if you have the right tray as a base. Great ideas to refer back to for inspiration when I’m more in the fall mood.
Hi Wren
We aren’t having any crisp autumn air here, but people in other parts of the country are! I haven’t done a bit of fall decor here yet…hopefully by the end of the month!!
I’ve had a magnolia wreath and a garland for many years, nice Pottery Barn quality, looks just as real as the leaves I would get off the tree in the yard! Loved the idea of putting in the greens to freshen it up, never thought of that!!
Hi Diane
I often add a little natural to my faux for a more “natural” look. I am totally fine with faux as long as it looks real. I have a post on how to make a faux wreath look natural here, if that helps at all.
Cindy, I love seeing your fireplaces through the years, and how you use/re-use the same elements from year to year, house to house. Proof that if you buy what you love you will always find a place for it. Cannot wait to see your party plans and ideas.
Hi Elizabeth
I think that is true for the most part …if you buy what you love you will use it. I do have a few things that I love that I will never be able to use in this house which makes me sad.
With something so narrow, I think that putting a picture, mirrored frame or some architectural piece that could be standard on the mantel but it needs to be hung I think vs stacked due to narrowness and also be dark in color for contrast. Large old dark wicker tray? then layer something narrow such as candlesticks, pictures or even a row of glass textures votives could be lovely. Layering is so wonderful mixed with texture like you do. When you find the right mix it will just sing and you will know it. Love your mantel but it is a challenge!
What is beside fire place Mantel on floor?
Cindy,
Using the wood door panels is a good way to warm up the mantle. . I have an old pickled pine outdated TV cabinet in storage. Before weeding it out, I have been wondering what creative way to repurpose it. I wish to be as creative as you. I love your work. Pat
I love the curves of the doors on your new mantle. Especially since the fireplace tapers up.
I’d like to see you try the manzanita wreath hanging on the shutters on your mantle!
Hi Kathe
That wreath is too wide but I have thought of doing a smaller one. Good thought. My husband might kill me though as we would have to then nail the doors to the wall….hmmmmmmm…thinking…
That white fireplace is just itching for some color. I’d be tempted to paint some leaves or vines on the mantal or going up the fireplace. Of course you could just add some seasonal plants or schrubs.
Hi Bonita
I once had a stencil border in a couple of places and I got tired of it. I am getting boring in my old age!!
Cindy…Thanks so much for all of your blogs…I read all of them, and save so many of them. I really enjoyed your blog on jackets…and I ordered a great one from Michael Stars…and 2 Lilly skirts from CP Shades that were on sale!
Love your fall dessign ideas…like the other reader…I wondered if you have a warehouse for storage! I was really impressed that in your rental house you could pull together so many items from your former house…and now you transition them into your new house. You are amazing!
Keep the ideas coming…I look forward to your design and fashion ideas!
Hi Beverly and Barbara
In our former home we had two garages and a barn. We now only have a three car garage, so we are gradually weeding things out. The cupboard doors that are on the mantel now actually belong on the corner cupboard that is in our bedroom. I like it better without the doors. I tend to just move things around with the seasons and change things up. We had to get rid of a lot of stuff when we moved to the Salinas house, but we still have more to get rid of.
Where do you store all the wonderful items you have at your disposal for creating these great vignettes? Seems you must have a warehouse. Love your design & your approach. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Hi Barbara
My husband does have a warehouse but that is going away once he retires so we are weeding and weeding!!
Always outstanding “Cindy Touch” always nails it.
Thank you so much Kathy
Do you have space to put tall iron floor candleholders on each side of fireplace?
Hi Nancy I don’t think so. It is honestly one of the narrowest mantels I have ever seen. Great idea though!!
Cindy…gorgeous already…maybe a pop of orange on the mantle ledge…bittersweet,or some WILD and curly vine(grape) off to the right side? I know how much you love using natural elements on all your stunning designs.
Happy weekend!
Sharrie( GA is still summer HOT!)
Hi Sharrie
Yes I think something like that would be great if it will fit. It is so narrow that it is almost impossible. What I have up there now comes to the very edge.
As always, inspired by your organic Fall decor.
Ahhhh fall! Great ideas, as always,you bring the season in beautifully. I also think a garland might work on your fireplace. I decorate for fall (carries thru Thanksgiving).
As always enjoy your ideas…I might go with a garland to give the tall thin mantle place a more horizontal balanced feel.
Great ideas and I love what you have for the new mantle. No fireplace in the reset, so the buffet from our former dining room which is now in a fairly large foyer is the stand-in! This will be fun!
Love a great buffet!!
As always, a beautiful post! Great ideas.
Have a nice weekend.
Teresa
Hi Teresa
Thank you so much. You have a great one too!
Cindy,
I really like all the fall touches you add. Your shutters on your new mantle are a great start to the fall decor. Maybe some candlesticks and a jug (that fits) with autumn leaves? I’m still hoping for a break in the heat here. I have compiled ideas for decorating for fall once it shows up. 🙂
Karen B
Hi Karen
I will try the candlestick idea…if they fit…The ceilings are so high everything that will fit looks lost!