Transform your fireplace mantel (or another cozy nook) into a winter wonderland with our expert styling tips.
A mantel can be so much more than the place you hang your stockings with care—it can be the stage for a whole festive scene—aka a mantelscape—that boosts the cozy atmosphere of your home during the holiday season. A new twist on the popular tablescaping trend, mantelscaping is a fun way to express your personal style, according to Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson. Even if you don't have a fireplace mantel, you can still get in on the trend since it translates well to other surfaces like sideboards, shelves, TV stands, and window sills.
To assemble an eye-catching mantelscape, first pick a theme and then blend elements that speak the most to you. For example, you could make a woodland scene with a grove of miniature ceramic trees, or curate a cozy cluster of candle lanterns, snow globes, and sparkling baubles. “Be sure to mix up the height, shape, and textures of your various decorative elements to curate a truly magical mantel masterpiece,” Dayna says. “This is also a great opportunity to put sentimental pieces or family heirlooms on display!” Keep reading for our top tips on how to get the mantelscape of your dreams.
Plant a festive forest
SHOP: Handmade wooden Christmas tree made from upcycled baseball bat blanks from HauskaaVT, from $30
A collection of conical trees can instantly transform the flat expanse of a fireplace mantel or shelf into a dreamy winter wonderland.
Bring the outdoors in
SHOP: Dried orange slice garland from She and Brie, from $16
Seasonal organic elements—like citrus, evergreen, and eucalyptus garlands—add natural textures and pair well with accent ornaments, while also wafting an irresistibly fresh scent into the room.
Go to town
SHOP: Paper tea light house from Belgian Paperworks, from $48
Tuck a battery-powered tea light inside a paper luminary and watch it glow with holiday cheer. For more nostalgic hominess (think trends like Gingerbread Girl style), assemble an entire village of vintage Putz houses.
Add height and light
SHOP: Black candle holder from Aysun Ay Co., $650
A well-balanced mantelscape has depth. Doubling as a sculptural centerpiece, the wavy forms of an artful holder ground the scene, while adding height and light with repeating columns of tapered candles. Try pairing it with a surface covering, such as evergreen branches or smaller-scale trinkets for bonus texture, Dayna advises.
Mix in modern shapes
SHOP: Ceramic menorah from Yahalomis, $273
Minimalism more your style? For a mantelscape with a sleek aesthetic, choose geometric forms, clean lines, and muted colors.
Layer materials and textures
SHOP: Modern stained glass nativity set from Szklo Glass, $225
Blending materials—like stained glass, metal, and wood—creates tactile layers of visual interest. Lauren Wzorek Earl, a 2023 Etsy Design Awards winner, makes abstract nativity sets for her Las Vegas-based shop Szklo Glass that are open to interpretation. “Many display it during the Christmas season,” she says, “while others leave it up year-round; others display it because they simply love the design, even though they don't observe Christmas.”
Accent with ornaments
SHOP: Brass decorative hangings from Fleck, $40 for a set of 14
Whether decorating with storied ornaments steeped in family history or adding a new piece to the mix, these dangling adornments bring eye-pleasing movement and varied levels to a mantelscape.
Light a lantern
SHOP: Ceramic Christmas tree lanterns from Daisy Tableware, $177 for a set of three
As cozy as a campfire but compact enough for a mantel or table top, candle lanterns exude an inviting warmth into any home.
