Styling A Mantel Without A Fireplace
Styled mantel for winter using antique pieces and faux trees.
We have a family mantle! I know that sounds ridiculous but that’s just what it is. My cousins removed a mantle out of their home and my mom took on the refinishing project of upscaling the mantel. When my mom moved she did not have a place for this mantle and so we took it. At that time my now husband and I lived in an apartment and I always dreamed of having it in our home. When we bought our home in 2020 we made that dream come true.
When we first toured our home I knew right where the mantle wouldd go, the only issue was that there was no fireplace in the home. Styling a mantle can be a challenge especially if you do not have a fireplace or fireplace insert. We were not ready to take on the project of putting in a fireplace insert so I took to my creativity and just made it work!
Our mantle is currently styled in our living room with our tv above it, we left enough room that I can style the mantle through each season. Now for dreaded mantle insert, I had a thrifted old mail sorting piece that I used at the bottom, there is a gap which I filled in using old wooden drawers to fit the same aesthetic that the mail sorter gives. Then I got to work. I filled the cubbies with different tickets that I have collected over the years. Then on top of the piece I added a large picture frame that I change out each season. I also have a whimsical garland hung on the top of the mantel hole that drapes over the picture inside. Then I just fill in the gaps with decor based on the season.
Now, this is not the only way to style a mantle without a fireplace although, it does work for us. You can use items that you already have or DIY to make something work. Previously I used a ginormous chalk board inside of the mantle and secured it to the hole. Then I drew a fake fireplace scene on the inside.
