Ahh the mantelpiece … a central part of the home that feels very adult and one of peak sophistication. Whilst it may be easily confused and combined with the styling of a shelf (understandably so), there’s something about a mantlepiece forming the central, focal part of your living space that sets it apart from the humble shelf we’ve grown reasonably confident in styling. This week’s edit is one of two halves: the ones ready for Christmas and the ones unsure whether to dip their toes into the festivities, offering you a look at both ‘normal’ and festive dressing to inspire your space through winter and beyond.
Once the candles and fairy lights are decked out, it’s Christmas in our book no matter what the calendar says.
Finding the balance of textures, dimension, colour and light are often factors to consider when styling a mantle, nailing the equilibrium of chic yet still full of personality. Christmas is one season in which mantlepiece styling seems to come quite naturally to many, with lights, eucalyptus, pine garlands and earthy additions creating a cosy feeling that oozes into the rest of your home. Once the candles and fairy lights are decked out, it’s Christmas in our book no matter what the calendar says.
Let us know which picks you’re totally heart eyes for and any tips you’ve picked up along the way for styling this part of your home.
Zoe
For me, when it comes to styling a Christmas mantelpiece, I think a vase of flowers, eucalyptus or a dried bouquet, lot’s of candles – both dinner candles, pillar and tea lights and some fairy lights make it feel really polished. I also love little touches like mini snowy trees that you can style together make it cute too! I LOVE these fluro candles from Heals and these add a bit of a twist on something more traditional!
*H&M, Glass candle lantern, £3.99
*Etsy, Ever Earth Co, Lola – Dried Flower Bouquet, £22.99
Heals, Trille Star 125 String Lights Silver Wire 13m, £36
*John Lewis, John Lewis & Partners Impressionism Mini Snowy Table Tree, £5
Darcey
OBVIOUSLY I have gone full-on Christmas mode for my mantelpiece styling, you cannot beat a beautifully decorated mantelpiece or shelf at Christmas and that’s a fact! I love a garland draped over the mantelpiece and the berry garland from The White Company is perfect. I’d hang some personalised stockings from the mantel and dot some little Christmas tree-shaped candles along with it too. Either end of the mantel I’d have some candlesticks in these beautiful brass holders from Zara. I found some hand-painted candlesticks on Etsy which I think would lovely in them! I also love a glittery stag ornament at Christmas, I go mad for them and so I’d definitely have a few miniatures dotted around too!
*The White Company, Ultimate Green & Berry Garland – 1.8m, £75
*Etsy, Handmade Christmas Co, Custom Christmas Stocking with Letter, £16
*Etsy, Kristell Candles, Christmas tree candle Christmas table décor, £4.71
Zara, BRASS CANDLESTICK, £17.99
Maddie
I have entered full Christmas mode and although I don’t have any mantlepieces in my house as it’s not very traditional, where ever I have a shelf there will be something festive draped, placed or sparkling on top of it! I love using candles, foliage and wooden letters/figurines are so cute too, I’m trying to shop small as much as possible this year and Etsy is always my go-to place for bits like these.
*Etsy, Hooray Days, 1 Wooden Snowman, £6.55
*Etsy, Style Sparkle, Christmas decoration Winter garland Natural décor £12.80 – £19.50
*Etsy, The Letter House UK, Christmas Hand-painted Wooden Letters, £20
Danielle
I’ve gone for a gold/green/rustic vibe for my mantlepiece picks! I love this garland from Lights4Fun they have such a good range for this kind of thing, the eucalyptus and snowberries in this one are gorgeous. I’d then pop two candlesticks at one end (one big one small) with these fancy white and gold candlesticks popped in. At the other end, I’d place the three gold stars together, then I’d hang off the ‘Jingle all the way” sign and some personalised jute stockings. Bobs your uncle, mantle done.
Lights 4 Fun, Eucalyptus & White Berry Christmas Garland Micro Light Bundle, £61.99
*H&M, Metal candlestick, £9.99
*H&M, Tall metal candlestick, £12.99
*Etsy, Ralph and Luna Party, Gold Glitter Candles, £8.25
*Etsy, Ralph and Luna Party, Jingle All The Way Banner, £6
*Etsy, Falcon Workshop, Pack Of 3 Gold Metal Hanging Stars, £9.99
Charlotte
Pastel everything pleaseeee! I sadly don’t have a mantelpiece however I do have endless ornaments/plants/accessories and can never resist buying more it seems …
I’ve definitely got a thing for the shell candles doing the rounds on Instagram and would love one in every colour-way. A little greenery never did anyone any harm so I’m all about plants (faux and real) and pampas to add some height and texture to a space. Books also always add personality and vibrancy to a space so I tuck them into every corner of my home that I can.
Summer Morning Studios, The Shell, £20
*Oliver Bonas, Gold Geo Hexagon Photo Holder, £5
*La Redoute, Tamagni Coloured Glass Vase, £24
*Etsy, Raspberry Road Vintage, Green Book Stack, Decorative Books, £15.88
Holly
I’ve literally just moved house so it was a clean slate and I’ve had so much fun styling all my mantelpieces/shelves. As we well know, I am a lover of all things rainbow. Of course, a plant is a go-to, and in lockdown, I moulded my own pots out of clay so I guess I’ll add some clay in there! I also got this beautiful print which brightens up every room and some incredible smelling candles. I also have 2 frames with pictures of my favourite people in and a clock because, well that’s handy.
Hobby Craft, White Air Drying Clay 1kg, £3.80
Aldi, Pomegranate Glass Candle 3 Pack, £10.47
Waitrose, Hanging plant cage – wide, £39.99
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