Tips for decorating mantels, consoles, and open shelves
So you have a space that you know you want (or need) to decorate but you just don’t know where to begin. Whether it is a console table, fireplace mantel, or open shelf - I have the tricks for you!
Let me preface this post and say that sometimes minimalism really is a vibe on its own. Oftentimes, you don’t need a lot of “stuff” to make something feel substantial. Other times though, you need to turn that console table, mantel, or open shelf into a statement all on its own.
DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at absolutely no cost to you.Here’s my go-to way of styling shelves, tables, and mantels.
Shop your home. What can you use?
First and foremost, shop your home. I promise you’ll find treasures you forgot you ever had. You may have gems hidden away in closets that rarely get opened or your favorite pieces that you’d like to bring forward. There is so much power in simply changing up the room, direction, or placement of an item.
Some items that I naturally gravitate to are:
Mirrors - The reflective quality of a mirror is so perfect for lower ceilings and smaller homes like ours. They add such dimension to any space.
Two that I recommend are: baby arch and big sister arch (both from Amazon)
Pictures or Art - You don’t have to get expensive here. You’ll mostly find printed family pictures, toddler artwork, or instant download Etsy art around my home. Use what you have access to! The more personal, the better.
Accent lighting - Adding small lighting options is the perfect moody touch.
Consider lamps, flameless candles (my favorites here), or other accent pieces
Greenery - Adding a plant is totally underrated. Plants literally (and figuratively) breathe life into a room. Don’t have a green thumb? There are a lot of great fake options, too.
Gather up your items and let’s figure out what to do with it all.
1. Add height & dimension
If you’re trying to make a statement - you need height. Adding a variety of heights is the best way to make your space feel more full and dimensional. Mix and match larger items with smaller ones.
On our mantel, I used the large arched mirror to anchor the entire space. I then flanked it with a variety of art pieces that also mix-match heights. It is important to not repeat the same height over and over again when styling. Try to decide on one foundational piece - usually the largest - and vary the heights of the remaining pieces. This offers the eye a lot to look at while still staying very centered and grounded on the anchor piece (or the arched mirror in my case).
Get creative - This doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy a whole bunch of new items. Consider ways to raise some of your smaller items. Can you stack books under a planter or decorative bowl? Can you add tapers or holders to your candles? Can you sub out a smaller, thinner frame for a bolder, heavier one?
2. Layer and stack
When you have a lot of “stuff”, decorating can sometimes feel overwhelming, chaotic, and just too messy. The trick to making your piece look curated not cluttered is keeping some items the same and layering them.
If you look at our entryway console, I really only have 2-3 object “types”. I’ve layered mirrors, lighting, and vases. When decorating, consider what category or kinds of decor you’d like to showcase and narrow it down to 2-3.
3. Texture
Adding texture means avoiding the matchy-matchy look. Now, I love a good samesies or monochromatic moment but sometimes we need cozy, comfy, textural, organic spaces. When I think of texture, I think of everything from a variety of colors, material, dimensions, design styles, etc.
Consider mixing stiffer lines with softer curves, bolder colors with muted pairings, or harder surfaces with softer linens.
The pleats on this lamp and the texture of the planter are opposites, yes, but they also compliment eachother. The lamp is very crisp and ridgid while the planter is more organic and curved. This kind of complementation makes the perfect pairing.
Texture can also come about naturally by mixing-and-matching your design style. I love pairing the harsher lines of a modern aesthetic with softer textiles.
LEVEL UP: Adding vintage or antique pieces to any decor is a guaranteed home run. The intricacies - or rather, imperfections - of a vintage piece offers incredible variation and character.
TIP: Don’t be afraid to mix-and-match!
BONUS TIP
4. Something green (not blue)
Forget the old wedding saying to wear something blue; let’s start wearing green. Green thumbs that is. If I had a magic wand, it would be to give everyone the confidence to buy, grow, and nurture big, beautiful plants. If you feel like you’re spaces are still falling flat, I promise you it’s because you don’t have green.
Plants quite literally breathe new life into a space.
New on the plant journey and not sure where to start?
Consider my all-time favorite: the heartleaf philodendron (pictured above)
You can find her at most big box stores. She’s easy, she’s beautiful, and she’s a fast grower. She doesn’t need an abundance of light and she can tolerate your severe neglect from time to time. Plus, she cascades beautiful. I have 5 of these plants in our house.
Happy styling!
I hope this post inspired you to tackle that space you tend to pretend isn’t there. If you don’t look or can’t see it, it doesn’t exist, right? Go get to decorating!
