Five Minute Fall Mantel

Quick and easy home decorating. Check out my tips for a five minute Fall Mantel!

I enjoy decorating our home because it gets me excited for all that a new season brings, but if you know me I like to keep things simple. If you’re short on time but still want to decorate for the seasons this post is for you. This is our 5 minute fall mantel!

I decorated our mantel on Sunday between doing yard work and hosting a few of Conor’s friends by the pool for a very small gathering to celebrate his 12 birthday. This mantel took me five minutes and I thought it would be fun to break down the look for you. Most of the items I already had in the basement.

I also have a little surprise for you, if you’ve been a long-time reader:

Does our living room look different?

I feel like every single room is becoming a game of musical chairs. We changed Conor’s room, John’s room and we’re almost done on our bedroom. We’re also working on the sunroom and we’ve decided to turn the kids playroom (which is directly through the door at the end of the living room) as a game room AND work-out room. Our boys are getting bigger and no longer need a dedicated playroom. Our new Pelaton bike arrives on Thursday, so Saturday we moved the playroom couch in here and gave away our white slipcovered chairs. This is the new look.

As you can see our summer decor is still out – my fishing floats and giant clamshell – but I’m slowly changing things up for fall.

What do you think of the leather couch in here? I’m still getting used to it but I LOVE the rich brown tones. I “borrowed” the coffee table from the other side of the room and I think Luke’s going to built me a different console.

How fabulous is this vintage lantern? I found it down the Cape at Scout Vintage. LOVE it so much.

Alright, back to the mantel…

5 Minute Fall Mantel

As the seasons change from easy breezy summer by the sea to cooler, crisper weather of fall – I crave the following:

• Warmth
• Texture
• Cozy
• Nature

Warmth

In the mantel you’ll see warmth in – the brass candle holders, the crackling fireplace, the warm colors of the faux branches. The branches are actually my only new purchase on the mantel. I found them the other day along with a few more branches and thought they’d come in handy all season long! Don’t they look real???

The vintage brass candle holders are a weakness of mine. I can NEVER resist them especially when they are a good price. These beautiful 5 brass candlesticks were only $45 and I found them over the summer at a market we took part in. I LOVE the twisting texture of some of them and I also love that none of them really match.

Texture

The driftwood garland serves two purposes. It covers a socket that’s right above our mantel AND it adds a lovely texture. This garland is great because it works in every single season.

Shells and this sweet little cement head planter is a favorite, she got the air-plant “hair” for summer, but I think it will stay. This planter is actually on sale right now!

Nature

You’ll see my mantel has so much Nature interspersed. Finding treasures at the beach or in our yard makes our home feel more cozy and also brings in something so special. You will see nature in all the elements I’ve already mentioned but also in – shells, stacked beach rocks, and the petrified wood vase.

Even our mantel is refaced with fossilized ocean floor and has a bluestone hearth. You can see more about that here.

Cozy

Okay, now what do you think adds to the cozy feeling of this space? The texture, the warmth, and the Nature, but also the collected antiques, the vintage oriental rug, the warm brown leather, the crackling fire, the faux fur throws, the leather poufs, the mud cloth pillows, the dark wood trim and the creamy white walls.

I love to layer upon layer and I think that’s ultimately what makes a home feel cozy.

When we walked into our home, I immediately fell in love with all this dark woodwork. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to make it a feature of our home. Part of that is selecting the right furniture and wall colors. If you’ve been struggle with that in your own home, you might want to check out this post on wall color.

Favorite Elements to Incorporate into Fall Mantel

• Branches (real or faux)
• Plants (real or faux) – faux may be better if you use your fireplace often
• Candles
• Brass Candle Holders
• Pumpkins / Gourds
• Vintage objects
• Ceramic vases
• garlands – floral or wooden
• Vintage paintings
• Books wonderful for stacking

When decorating try to use odd numbers – threes, fives, sevens. It’s more pleasing to the eye. Vary heights, textures, and colors.

I must admit I’m sad that summer is ending, but pretty excited to curl up here with pumpkin spice coffee and a good book or stack of design magazines.

Most of the items in our home are vintage and antique finds but you can shop the look below.

Shop the Look

Watch the Video

I made a super quick video to show you how easy it is to recreate this look at home.

I can’t wait to hear what you think about the changes in our living room, the fall mantel, and also what to hear if you guys have a Pelaton at home and if you have any recommendations for us!

Be sure to visit all my friends to see their fall mantels! I can’t wait to stop by and see all of them!

This week I’m joining some of my talented blogging friends for the Fall Seasonal Simplicity Series. Today we are sharing our Fall Mantel Decor Ideas with you! Be sure to check out all of the beautiful inspiration by visiting the links under the images below.

Warm Earthy Rustic Fall Mantel Decor at The Happy Housie

Elegant Boho Fall Mantel Decor Ideas at The DIY Mommy

Fall Mantel with Dried Florals at Deeply Southern Home

Vintage Fall Mantel Decor at Rambling Renovators

A Simple Fall Mantel at Craftberry Bush

Simple and Colorful Fall Decorating Ideas for Your Mantel at The Tattered Pew

Moody Fall Mantel at Modern Glam

Vintage Fall Mantel Decor at Joanna Anastasia

Simple Modern Fall Mantel at Taryn Whiteaker

Boho Cottage Fall Mantel Ideas at Tatertots and Jello

Simple Fall Mantel at A Pretty Life

Modern Fall Mantel at Clean & Scentsible

Adding Fall Touches in the Living Room at House by Hoff

Simple Fall Mantel Decor at Maison de Cinq

My Fall Mantel: Tips for Creating a Cozy & Inviting Space at Life is Better at Home

Cozy Farmhouse Mantel Decor for Fall at She Gave it a Go

Five Minute Fall Mantel at Finding Silver Pennies

Fall Shelf Styling Two Ways at My Sweet Savannah

Simple Fall Mantel Decor at Dans le Lakehouse

Modern Boho Fall Mantel Ideas at Life is a Party

Fall Fireplace Mantel Decor at Hallstrom Home