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9 inspiring ways to make your fireplace cozy for fall

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Welcome to the Fall Ideas Tour for 2016! If you’re new here and visiting from one of the talented bloggers sharing their ideas on the tour, you can learn about Postcards from the Ridge here

Get ready for a week of inspiring fall ideas from 28 home decor bloggers, starting today with mantels.

If you want ideas for your fall mantel and home decor then you’re at the right place. I’m sharing 9 ways to add cozy autumn touches to your fireplace and mantel, plus 5 of my blog friends are adding even more ideas as we kick off this year’s Fall Ideas Tour. 

You’ll find great ideas all week from some of your favorite bloggers for mantels, tablescapes, wreaths, printables, and porches. The entire tour schedule and list of bloggers is at the bottom of the post so be sure to visit everyone this week for ideas on getting your home ready for a fabulous fall.

In our home I like to keep our seasonal decor simple and understated. My decor gets more low key every year because it’s exhausting to put it all up just to take it all down a few weeks later. And I try to use items that I already have on hand since my stash has gotten a little out of hand. 

This year the only new thing on our fall living room fireplace is actually the mantel itself. I got it a few weeks ago and installed it myself just in time for the fall tour. 

And now here’s my fall mantel, created by shopping the house and the yard, plus my favorite ways for adding a fall vibe to your fireplace or any area.

1. Throw Blankets

Throw blankets are one of the things that I might have too many of. My family cringes whenever they see me looking at one online or in a store. But they’re so easy to decorate with and make the house so cozy, especially in the fall and winter. 

I added a blue striped one in a wooden milk crate on the hearth for a little pop of color. And the plaid blanket on the chair is actually an oversized “blanket scarf“. My daughters wear them and I’ve tried to wear it as a scarf, but I swear it adds 15 lbs and it burns me up, so its primary use is as a lightweight throw. 

2. Wooden candlesticks

Wooden candlesticks are so versatile. They help balance out the items on the mantel with their texture and height. They can also be used on a hearth, island, dining table, or even a buffet. You can top them off with candles, pumpkins, or decorative balls.

3. Fall themed artwork, signs, or photos

A great way to anchor your mantel is with fall artwork, signs, or photos. I snagged this vintage looking painting at an estate sale for just a few dollars a while back and the colors are perfect for fall. (Go here to see my tips for estate sale hunting)

4. Dried wheat and seasonal grasses

Dried wheat and other seasonal grasses add a nice texture and subtle color to the space. I’ve had this one for years and it’s been in several places around the house.

5. Clipped branches placed in a bottle

Fresh or faux, branches always add a nice organic element to any seasonal display. Our leaves haven’t really started changing colors yet but I thought the berries on one of our dogwood trees looked fall-ish. You could use lots of different clippings and place them in a bottle, bucket, jar, or vase for height and texture.

6. Pumpkins

Need I say more? Pumpkins are almost a mandatory element for a fall mantel. These are all faux and I use them every year in addition to real ones. We don’t have any real ones here yet but I’m sure they’ll be added to the mix soon. They look great on the mantel or hearth, and anywhere around the house.

7. Nuts and acorns

Nuts, acorns, and feathers are free and fabulous. Whenever we go hiking or just for a walk I’m on the lookout for nuts, acorns, and feathers. My neighbors probably think I’m crazy when I stop and pick things up off the street, but that’s okay. They may be right. I may be crazy. Cue up the Billy Joel songs now.

8. Dried hydrangeas clippings in glass bottles

There’s always room for dried hydrangeas in our decor. I love them. The glass bottles lighten the mantel and add a little sparkle to the space. And the dried hydrangeas add more texture and a bit of a farmhouse or cottage vibe to the mix. (To see the easy way I dry my hydrangeas go here.)

9. Rusty metal

Ornamental iron adds another layer to the mix. It’s a nice backdrop for the branches and adds a little more texture to the mix. And fall decor is all about texture.

And I don’t usually share “hot deals” on here and debated about whether to add this, but I shared this on my facebook page last week and everyone loved it. So I’m also sharing the deal with you here on the blog. 

The last time I checked, my blanket scarf/lightweight throw blanket was $10.99 and I’ve seen it elsewhere for over $30. Here’s the link to the deal => plaid blanket scarf.

This year I’ve featured our living room mantel but last year I featured our family room mantel and used vintage and found items to decorate it for fall. Below (and above) is a peek at it, and you can go here to see it all. 

There are so many ways to add a fall vibe to your decor. What are some of your favorite ways? 

Be sure to visit all of the bloggers listed below on their tour days to see many more stylish ways to decorate for all. 

Thanks so much for dropping by! And don’t forget to subscribe to updates by clicking the box below so you can get fresh ideas for your home sent directly to you.

XOXOX,

Angie

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience and to help keep this blog in operation. I may make a small commission from any item ordered but your price remains the same. For full disclosure, go here.

Sources:

wicker demijohn

SHOP THE LOOK

2016 Fall Ideas Tour

Monday – Mantels

Postcards from the Ridge  |  Petticoat Junktion  |  Shabbyfufu

Girl in the Garage  |  Virginia Sweet Pea  | 2 Bees in a Pod

Tuesday -Tablescapes

At the Picket Fence  |  Our Southern Home  |  Restoration Redoux

The Chelsea Project  |  Hunt and Host  |  Confessions of a Serial DIY-er

Wednesday – Wreaths

Interior Frugalista  |  Hymns and Verses  |  The Everyday Home

Sadie Seasongoods  |  Housepitality Designs

Thursday – Printables

Domestically Speaking  |  House of Hawthornes  |  Mom 4 Real

The Graphics Fairy  |  Artsy Chicks Rule  |  Dukes and Duchesses

Friday – Porches

Refresh Restyle  |  Cottage at the Crossroads  |  At Home with the Barkers

Town and Country Living  |  My Creative Days

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Inspiration Monday at Our Southern Home

36 Comments

  1. Hey Angie – we love your mantel decor and all of your ideas! We can relate to so much. Your vintage bottles and throws are perfection! So fun touring with you today.

    Vicki and Jenn
    2 Bees in a Pod

    1. Thanks ladies! I know y'all love vintage bottles too! And I always love touring with you. Have a great week. ~ Angie

  2. Angie, I love all the natural elements you've used in your Fall mantel display – very warm and cozy! I can relate to shopping the home rather than going out and buying more that needs to be stored somewhere later. Pinned.

    1. Thanks Marie! I love using natural items and things I already have. No need to add to my oversized stash! Have a great week. ~ Angie

    1. Thanks Jen! Fall is always one of my favorite times to decorate the house and I love using natural elements whenever possible. Have a great week! ~ Angie

  3. I love every inch of your fireplace display! You've made this area look so cozy and inviting. Your faux pumpkins look very realistic, I thought they were the real thing until I read that you use them year after year. I look forward to seeing more of your fall decor in other areas of your home.

    1. Thank you Paula! My faux pumpkins are kind of a necessity since we don't have any real ones yet except the big orange ones. I hope we get them in the next couple of weeks! Have a great week! ~ Angie

  4. Angie, your mantel is amazing….lots of Fall inspiration and great ideas!…So very beautiful and warm and cozy! Loved how you used the throw in front of the hearth!

    1. Thank you Shirley! I have way too many throw blankets so I have to scatter them throughout the house, lol. They sure do make the house feel cozy. Have a great week. ~ Angie

  5. Love your brick fireplace, Angie! You found a great treasure when you snagged that vintage painting for a few dollars!

    1. Thanks Jennifer! I keep thinking I want to paint the brick but I can't quite bring myself to pull the trigger and do it. There's no going back once it's painted! And I love finding bargains like the painting. Have a great week! ~ Angie

  6. Angie, your tips for decorating a mantel for fall are spot on! I just love how you incorporate items from nature as well as unique vintage pieces to create your warm, cozy look! Pinning and sharing!

    1. Thanks Jane! Nature and vintage items are my favorite things to decorate with. Have a great week. ~ Angie

  7. Angie, I am in love with this cozy mantel. It's just perfect. I have a holiday colored blanket scarf. I use it in my decor as well. I need this fall one. Thanks for organizing such a fabulous tour!

    1. Thanks Christy! That scarf has been a great decorating item, lol. I need a holiday colored one to use in a couple of months too. Thanks for joining the tour! ~ Angie

  8. Love the mantel Angie. I can't find the info on your new mantel. I want one just like it! The candlesticks are my favorite thing on the mantel.

    1. Thanks Kathy. I'll share more about it in an upcoming post. And those candlesticks have been all over the house. They're so versatile! Have a great week. ~ Angie

    1. Thanks Kim. I like to keep it pretty simple and am glad it turned out nice and cozy. Have a great week! ~ Angie

  9. I love your Fall mantel, Angie! Everything is perfectly balanced! I am right there with you with the throws…I have to stop myself lol! XO

  10. I love everything about your mantel!!! But perhaps that cracked open book is my favorite touch. 🙂 Thanks so much for all the work you put into the tour!

    Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)

  11. Your home and your Fall decor look so lovely Angie! That plaid throw is perfect for the Season! Thanks so much for organizing all of this!

  12. Angie everything looks so beautiful!! I just love all of the details and your wonderful tips and ideas. I'm so thrilled to be part of this tour with you!

  13. Everything about this is just beautiful. I truly need some inspiration for my tired, cheesy builder grade mantle.

    Your ideas are just the ticket.

  14. This is beautiful, I like the calm colour choices. This year I did my home in metals, whites and grey. After viewing your blog I think I will incorporate some greens in it for next year. Lovely post.

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