Simple, not too fussy, Christmas mantel decorating ideas using red, green, white and black mixed with everyday decor.
My mantel and fireplace area is typically the very first place that I decorate for Christmas every year. I always try to do something different each time and the decorations this year include a couple of changes that I’ve made to the family room.
If you’ve been watching my Instagram Stories, then you know that I’ve been trying for a while to talk my husband into getting rid of his less-than-stellar quality, poofy, brown leather recliner. He finally agreed that his leather love had served its purpose and needed to be replaced – here’s a first look at the new chair!
I’m planning to do a little updating in our family room after the holidays and will post more about the chair then. But, for now, let’s just say that I’m soooo glad that the big, brown blob is gone! 😀
Before we take a closer look at the fireplace, I want to let you know that I’m joining 25 of my blogging buddies this week to bring you Christmas decorating ideas for your whole house, hosted by my friend Angie from Postcards From The Ridge. We’ll focus on a different area each day this week, so be sure to scroll to the bottom for the daily schedule and links to all sorts of Christmas inspiration!
Part of the updates that I’m making to our family room are on my mantel and fireplace. The large wood and metal arched piece that was flanked by a pair of shutters above my fireplace has been replaced with a beautiful birch tree canvas print and two pairs of tall, black candlesticks. The ceiling in our family room is vaulted, so my fireplace always looks best with tall decorations on it.
I’ve been striving to keep my decor more simple, so my goal for decorating the mantel for Christmas, was to keep the everyday decor in place and add the decorations around it. No more going to all the trouble of switching every single thing out!
The only Christmas decor that the mantel itself needs is a simple arrangement of red and white candles with a few frosted evergreen picks woven around them. So, so easy and fast!
I don’t usually add stockings to our mantel, since we’re empty nesters, but this year, I fell in love with the red pompoms on these black and white checked ones and thought they’d be a fun addition!
The decorations on the hearth are really simple too – a lantern and candle on one side and a black metal basket filled with greenery and a few rolls of coordinating wrapping paper along with some ribbon and a Christmas garland on the other.
I’ve tied the decor in the whole area together by including a strand of the same garland on the small tree on the end table beside the chair and repeating the red, green, white and black color scheme. I’ll be sharing my Christmas tree in the room soon and you’ll be able to see how it ties in with the rest of the decorations too!
Monday – Christmas Mantel Ideas
Tuesday – Christmas Tablescape Ideas
Wednesday – Christmas DIY/Craft Project Ideas
Thursday – Christmas Tree Ideas
Friday – Christmas Recipes
Domestically Speaking // Inspiration for Moms // Foodie Chicks Rule // Nourish and Nestle // Jenna Kate at Home (not pictured)
Paula says
November 26, 2018 at 7:02 AMYour mantel looks beautiful, Suzy! I enjoy your instastories and loved your birch print flanked with black candlesticks when you shared it on IG and I love both even more now that I see your mantel styled for Christmas. I love your idea for using colorful wrapping paper as decor on the hearth.
Congrats on getting rid of your brown blob! I’m afraid that I’m stuck with a brown blob for life. When I suggest an update, all I get is a raised eyebrow and no comment. 🙂
I look forward to seeing more of your Christmas decor this holiday season!
Suzy says
November 26, 2018 at 10:05 AMThank you so much, my friend! I’m so glad you like the new look for the mantel. It took me a looong time to convince the hubs that the brown blob needed to go! It was only when it finally started wearing out and developing issues that he finally gave in. lol
Vicki and Jenn 2 Bees in a Pod says
November 26, 2018 at 8:00 AMSusie – your mantel is beautiful and you always have the best decor ideas. The pops of red really give the mantel holiday personality. Congrats on the brown blob – can’t wait to see what you next!
Suzy says
November 26, 2018 at 10:06 AMY’all are so sweet – thank you!
Nancy says
November 26, 2018 at 8:27 AMSuzy, where did you buy the birch tree canvas print and the tall candle sticks on your mantle?
Suzy says
November 26, 2018 at 10:07 AMHi Nancy. The birch tree print came from At Home, the frame came from Hobby Lobby and the candlesticks came from Target. 😀
Brenda says
November 26, 2018 at 9:12 AMThis looks awesome Suzy! Perfectly symmetric and a lot less busy.i love it .
Suzy says
November 26, 2018 at 10:07 AMThank you so much, Brenda!
Cyndie says
November 26, 2018 at 9:48 AMLove the birch print! Source?
Suzy says
November 26, 2018 at 10:07 AMHi Cyndie. The birch tree print came from At Home and the frame came from Hobby Lobby.
Cindy says
November 26, 2018 at 1:22 PMIt’s all so pretty Suzy!! I love the tall black candlesticks against your walls, and the pops of color make it so festive! The new chair looks great too!!
Suzy says
November 27, 2018 at 8:01 AMThanks so much, Cindy!
Lora Bloomquist says
November 26, 2018 at 4:40 PMI love your birch tree canvas, Suzy! Your black and white gingham theme is just perfect to coordinate with it. So happy you got to say goodbye to the old recliner; the new one is quite handsome (hope it’s almost as comfortable;)
Suzy says
November 27, 2018 at 8:02 AMYou have no idea how happy I was to say goodbye to the old recliner! 😀 The hubs thinks the new one is adequate, but nothing will ever be as comfy to him as the poofy brown blog was. lol
Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge says
November 26, 2018 at 4:50 PMSuzy, your mantel and the whole area is gorgeous. I love the black accents. They’re such a classic touch. Those stockings are adorable and the tall candlesticks make the perfect statement. Thanks for joining the tour. I always love your decorating ideas.
Suzy says
November 27, 2018 at 8:03 AMThank you so much, Angie and thank you too for putting this tour together!
Jane says
November 26, 2018 at 9:31 PMSuzy, I just love how you’ve turned wrapping paper into a decor item! I’m going to take your lead and pull out a container to stick mine into! Love your new birch print and candlesticks. They make for a nice, clean look. Looking forward to seeing what else you have in store for this room.
Suzy says
November 27, 2018 at 8:03 AMThank you so much, Jane!
Leen Curinga says
November 27, 2018 at 8:30 AMSuzy, your fireplace looks great. I love that it will be easy to remove a couple Christmas items and you’ll already be decorated for the rest of winter (although I can’t see you not changing it up sooner!).
How does D like his new chair?
Maryann says
November 27, 2018 at 12:36 PMI love those stockings and so cute to put a pile of wrapping paper… love that!
Michelle from Weekend Craft says
November 28, 2018 at 8:48 AMI love how the candlesticks draw your eyes up. Giving some height to the mantel. Just gorgeous.
Kathy Owen says
November 28, 2018 at 10:10 AMThat black and red really pops Suzy. I love it!
Laura @ Inspiration for Moms says
November 29, 2018 at 1:32 AMYou had me with those black and white checked stockings! Love them!!
Patti says
November 29, 2018 at 7:18 AMSimple and classic = beautiful. Love the new chair too.
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
November 29, 2018 at 4:40 PMI’m just loving all the festive red and green Suzy! 🙂
Kristi Dominguez says
November 29, 2018 at 7:02 PMSuzy– your mantel is just lovely. You always have such a knack anchoring your space with stunning artwork…and again this rings true! Merry Christmas to you and yours. xoxo
Randi says
November 29, 2018 at 7:13 PMSo pretty! Using rolls of wrapping paper is so clever … and I love the pom pom garlands.
lynn says
November 29, 2018 at 7:48 PMSuzy, so much to enjoy about your mantle. I’m with you…trying to incorporate my ‘everyday’ decor into my Christmas decor. And do love how you incorporated the wrapping paper into your decor…brilliant!
Thanks for the inspiration.
So happy to join you on this fantastic blog tour!
Hugs, Lynn