How to Decorate a Mantel for Fall: Styling Ideas & Cozy Decor

Let's decorate the mantel for fall! I'll show you how to use picks and fake leaves to make our family room super cozy. Imagine a warm fire, soft candles, and a mantel filled with autumn colors. With a little creativity, we'll make our mantel a special spot for spending time together. Let's start creating a beautiful fall space!

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1. Our family room–a blank slate

I am starting with our family room because it's the room where we spend most of our time. My goal is to create a cozy, inviting space that’s not too crowded.

I shopped in my house and brought a few pieces of furniture from upstairs and from the sunroom into this room to give the room a whole new look this season. I also brought up this beautiful neutral rug from the basement for the fall season.

2. How I store seasonal items

I wanted to give you a quick peek to show you how much I love clear bins for storage so I can see what's in them versus a solid bin where I have to open them up. I have our textiles here, throws, pillows, table runners, napkins, linens, fall stems, wreaths, and more.

3. Decorating the mantel

I mounted two wall sconces above the mantel. I love how they pop against the green paint. I also layered a wreath on top of this canvas.

4. Making a garland

I created a thick garland using a few different elements such as larger fall stems, beautiful burnt orange bushes, and contrasting picks. I have pumpkins and big gold detailed acorns that I found the other day at HomeGoods. I raised the acorns up so they're not hidden in the garland.

5. Adding in picks and pumpkins

I added these pieces to break up the darker colors a bit. I randomly added white pumpkins in the garland for a bit more contrast. Because everything is better with lights, I added a strand of berry lights. We've got our garland all created by using larger fall stems, smaller picks, pumpkins, and leaves.

6. Beaded garland

I added this beaded garland. I hope to keep it here. If the cats leave it alone, I may trim it a little bit, and I might even layer another one in front. Now that that's done, let's do something with this area down below.

7. The hearth

I brought this chair down from our hallway upstairs. I love having a chair by the fire. And then I'm layering on this pretty rust blanket that has pumpkins on it. Next, I added this pillow. I tied a piece of burlap ribbon around the pillow and tucked in this little fall pick as a cute way to embellish an otherwise plain pillow.

Then I layered this little check pillow right in front.

Then, on the other side, bringing back this really pretty wooden basket with these birch logs.

How to decorate a mantel for fall

That finishes my fall mantel decor. Now I have to finish the rest of my family room for the season but since the mantel is a focal point, it is most important. Please let me know in the comments the mantel decor ideas you have!