Christmas mantlepiece ideas: how to add festive flair to your fireplace

(Image credit: Future)

last updated 20 November 2020

Don’t stop at the tree. This year, we are all about cool Christmas mantlepiece ideas. Really we reckon you should be thinking about decorating every surface, corner and cranny of your home. Because let’s face it... now, more than ever before, we need to ensure our homes sparkle with festive fabulousness. And a show-stopping Christmas mantlepiece is a sure way to add impact to a living space.

Whether you’re keen to go classic, with luxurious reds, golds and greens, or after something a little more “out-there”, our gallery of Christmas mantlepiece ideas is sure to have something to inspire. In the face of this madness it’s easy to forget that the holiday season is almost upon us. So go, grab yourself a slice of the most delicious panettone you can find, then indulge in these gorgeous images. They’re really rather wonderful.

Blooms on blooms

Gold asparagus fern and pretty roses adorn the Christmas mantlepiece of Wild at Heart owner Nikki Tibbles. “My home is already bold and vibrant, so I like to have fun with the decorations - lots of greens and golds, dramatic candelabras and, of course, a vast amount of fresh flowers. I tend to keep the flower choice simple and so I use just a few components of striking seasonal varieties and foliage.” While the arrangement is in situ, you may have to tweak out a few flowers if they start to wilt. There are no rules about which flowers to use, so why not choose ones you love and can afford (and that work with your colours). The dark floral wallpaper is by Ellie Cashman.

New takes on nature

Although the colours combined here may be the classic green with gold, there is nothing traditional about this Christmas mantlepiece. The fabulous feathered wreath is from VV Rouleaux, while real moss covers the mantlepiece to give a further hit of lush organic texture. “I love the subtle drama of fairy lights,” says Rockett St George’s Lucy St George. “ - They’re not just for the tree. With Christmas lighting, my motto is always the more the merrier. I always go for warm white but the most important tip of all is to make sure they don’t flash.”

Wit and whimsy

Designer Jonathan Adler celebrates the holidays at his apartment in New York with Hannukah candles and plenty of pizzazz. White feathers piled in vases are suitably flamboyant. “The truth is, I am kind of restrained throughout the year, but during the holidays, I find my inner Kardashian and unleash a world of layers and ornaments and glitz and it’s kind of great. I like to think of my house as if she was a gorgeous woman - she always need a few bits of gold jewellery to add a little sizzle.”

Chic and simple

This pared-back combination is a stylish way to dress a non-working fireplace. Of course the basket does not need to be filled with baubles; instead use chicken wire to fill the bulk, layering decorations at the top to give the appearance of abundance. When making wreaths, use dried or non-wilting foliage and flowers and make the base from lengths of grapevine.

Swathes of foliage

Masses of unadorned greenery works well on a country-style fireplace to ensure that the look doesn’t become too traditional. This grade II-listed cottage is owned by florist Willow Crossley. “I’m always bringing the outside in, flowers from the garden, or I’ll set off into the woods to find some branches or greenery.” Her walls are decorated with Bauwerk lime wash paint.

Big is beautiful

Large and wild is the Livingetc approach when it comes to foliage garlands. Eucalyptus is a festive favourite. It smells delicious and still looks beautiful when it dries.

Down on paper

Christmas-ophobes may be drawn to these sweet paper trees, available in pastel hues. Broste Copenhagen sells similar. “I like jewel hues such as deep aubergines, soft pinks, chartreuse and berry shades,” says Tiffany Duggan, founder  and director, Trove.

The penguin dance

Inspired by Mary Poppins, stylist Lucy Gough used penguin ornaments to create this unusual Christmas mantlepiece idea. The essence here is to use whatever charming seasonal objects make you feel really nostalgic. Farrow & Ball’s Joa Studholme uses “a cornucopia of Christmas figures, including a barefoot Santa from Sri Lanka and a swaying Hawaiian version in a grass skirt.”

Sweet things

Embrace tradition and adorn the mantlepiece with charming stockings. We’re not talking cheesy, Santa-clad numbers, but rather gorgeous designs that work with your interior scheme. These can be quite hard to come by, but look at Tori Murphy, Ferm Living and Oka for timeless buys that score style points.

Classic moves

This elegant and refined Christmas mantelpiece idea can be returned to year-on- year. For something truly stand-out, ask a local florist to assemble in situ. Fragrant additions such as cinnamon and dried oranges will always add seasonal charm. A more pocket-friendly solution would be to look at style-first retailers such as The White Company and Neptune.

Fringes and frills

At a Victorian terrace in Peckham, this stand-out installation is a true reflection of the funky family that created it. There is nothing traditional here, from the palette to the materials. Choose pampas grass in bright colours then add natural lichen to give a touch of silver to the display. ‘Dyed pampas and silk grasses are a favourite look. They are so fun and dramatic,’ says Mairead Curtin, founder of Rebel Rebel. A lametta garland can be used year after year.

Shining a spotlight on the now and the next in home design and decor, Livingetc is the UK's best selling high end and contemporary home design magazine. As a brand, Livingetc showcases the world's very best homes, breaks and makes the trends, and has access to leading international designers for insight and ideas. It was first published in 1998, and is currently edited by Pip Rich.