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How to Decorate a Fireplace Without a Mantel for Christmas

by on Dec 17, 2020

decorated fireplace without a mantel

Whenever I look at Christmas fireplace décor ideas, I always see mantels adorned with beautiful fireplace garlands and a few oversized stockings. They look amazing! But what if you don’t have a mantel to work with?

A fireplace is the focal point of any room. Knowing how to decorate a fireplace without a mantel for Christmas will help you create the perfect festive design for the heart of your home!

Looking for mantel-less Christmas décor ideas? Here’s our take on fireplace decoration. We went with a natural, simple and Scandi feel. And focused on creating the warmth and comfort that Christmas is all about.

Follow these steps and adapt them to your own Christmas décor style for your own unique fireplace design.

How to decorate a fireplace without a mantel for Christmas in 9 easy steps

1.  Clear Your Space

Start out by clearing your fireplace

Decorating your fireplace for Christmas, whether it is tile, brick, plaster, or stone, is made much easier when you have a blank canvas.

So clear the space of any unnecessary clutter. Rearrange the furniture if you need to. Remove any décor that doesn’t fit with your Christmas design.

Now you have a much better idea of what will work and fit within the space.  

2.  Hang a Fireplace Garland

Fireplace garland: break it up by hanging a single piece that acts as a focal point.

Decorating without a fireplace mantel means you often have a lot of wall to work with. We have a stone fireplace, so I like to break it up by hanging a single piece that acts as a focal point.

The mirror does part of the job for us. If you don’t have a mirror or a piece of art work above your fireplace, a beautiful Christmas wreath would work wonderfully. Here are some other ideas:

Then, using greenery (either real or fake), frame your fireplace surround with a fireplace garland. As you can see, it creates an instant festive scene!

3.  Position and Trim the Tree

Keep dcecorations simple — with neutral and natural colors and textures

Fireplace garland in place, it’s time to put up the Christmas tree. Another natural element, the tree will complement your garland to perfection and is sure to be the statement piece!

Ours is a space-saving tree so it fits neatly by the hearth. Decorations are simple — with neutral and natural colors and textures. Make sure to give some thought to your color palette as you’re working. We’ve also used a simple sheepskin as a tree skirt.

4.  Introduce Candles

If your fireplace isn’t in regular use, stick some candles in front of it.

If your fireplace isn’t in regular use, add some decorative items, like these stick candles in front of it. You can light them night after night and enjoy their warm and cozy glow. The perfect accessory for a non-working fireplace.

We’ve kept it simple with plain white candles and candlesticks of varying heights. We also made sure they were kept well away from any flammable décor elements!

5.  Balance Your Design

When decorating a fireplace without a mantel for Christmas, it’s our job to introduce a little structure — so the design feels balanced and easy on the eye.

A mantel provides a structure for Christmas décor. When decorating a fireplace without a mantel for Christmas, it’s our job to introduce a little structure — so the design feels balanced and easy on the eye.

Our wood stump side table (with a wreath on top) made the perfect addition and is a nice neutral color. You can use any small table, a wooden crate, a basket you have lying around the house — anything that brings a little height to the other side of the fireplace.

6.  Wrap a Few Gifts

Add gifts under the mantel for a holiday cheer

Who says presents have to go under the tree? If you have beautiful paper and you fancy wrapping a couple of gifts early this year, arrange a few presents on the hearth.  

I chose wrapping paper that was clean and graphic so it fitted in with the Scandinavian-inspired style of the overall design.   

7. Don’t Forget Your Christmas Sparkle!

Add metallic elements to introduce shine - silver and gold textures are great.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little sparkle and shine layer. Introduce metallics — hints of silver or gold — to break up textures and avoid things looking flat.

We hung some galvanized stars at the top of our garland. And snuck in our lovely little golden cottage for more visual interest.

8. Bring Nature Indoors

Find some natural elements for your fireplace garland by going on a wintery walk

Enjoy the great outdoors! Head off on a wintery walk and find some natural accents to add to your scene.

We added some pinecones and some sprigs of fresh cedar, which we lay near the candles, presents and wreath.

Lastly, we added a natural basket and put a collection of twigs and branches inside — they can be seen popping out from behind the tree! This is an easy but stylish way to hide your firewood! And another great addition to your Christmassy scene.

9.   Turn on Your Lights and Enjoy!

We can’t imagine a better place to sit curled up under a blanket, sipping on a cup of hot tea and savoring the festive cheer!

Now, all that’s left is to light your candles, switch on the Christmas tree lights, and enjoy.

We can’t imagine a better place to sit curled up under a blanket, sipping on a cup of hot tea and savoring the festive cheer!

We hope you’ve gotten some inspiration from these tips on how to decorate a fireplace without a mantel for Christmas!

Be sure to check out the other Christmas DIYs and craft ideas in the Curbly library. Your home will soon be more than ready for the big day!

Christmas Mantle Makeover: No Mantle, No Worries
The overall vibe feels natural, fresh and cozy. It's the perfect space to wrap yourself in a comfy knit blanket, sip a cup of tea and catch up on some reading this holiday season!
Christmas Mantle Makeover: No Mantle, No Worries
Christmas Mantle Makeover: No Mantle, No Worries
Christmas Mantle Makeover: No Mantle, No Worries

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2 Comments

  1. Woah, It’s not everyday you find nice post like this. Good job Lidy. Now i can go make an incredible fireplace .Thanks for the tips.

  2. Thanks for the inspiration Lidy!! Decorating for Christmas in our new home without a fireplace mantle was a challenge but I did follow your basic tips though I didn’t put our tree there as it would have interrupted traffic and seating. Our fireplace is faced with fossil pitted natural limestone. I used a simple willow switch wreath adorned with red faux poinsettia blooms hung from a huge gold bow. There were some holes perfect for a small nail left by the previous owners but I was prepared to use the adhesive wall hangers. I flaked the fireplace itself with huge real poinsettia plants. I carried the red and gold theme into the room from there with creamy pillar candles on gold and brass stands of various heights set on a red and green brocade runner. My “bling and glitter” ever year are using a variety of snowflakes hung in and from the wreath, placed within the leaves of the poinsettias and other surprising places throughout the house. People may ask where do you hang your stockings – my answer was from their hangers over the outside edge of our staircase but next year I may hang them right on the fireplace face to each side of the wreath from pretty gold bows on small nails or adhesive hooks.