16 Mantel Christmas Decor Ideas for a Merry Mantel Makeover

Before Santa comes bounding down your chimney this winter, get your whole fireplace ready for his visit with mantel Christmas decorations that channel the holiday spirit. From sleek modern designs to tried-and-true classics to super affordable options, we're here to give you all the design inspo you need to deck the halls (and the fireplace). 

Is there anything more luxe at Christmas than sparkling gold? Hang your Christmas stockings elsewhere and channel an old-money vibe by giving your holiday mantel a sparkling upgrade. This version is understated but gorgeous, with evergreen garland, brushed gold berries, and twinkling fairy lights that create a joyful statement that whispers class all season long.

With a color palette of silver, gold, and green, this simple mantel design has big impact. Get two star-shaped shadow boxes and paint them white. Then, glue in gold and silver ball ornaments. Add forest green stockings and a strand of star-shaped holiday lights, and you'll be a Christmas beacon for all the angels coming to visit this holiday season. Bonus points if you flank the fireplace with two elegantly decorated Christmas trees that match your color scheme. 

Almost everything you need for a scent-sational holiday mantel design is available with a walk in the woods and a rummage through your spice cupboard. This simple mantel garland smells amazing because it's made from foraged pine cones and bundles of cinnamon sticks. If you're not into foraging, grab a few bags of cinnamon-scented pine cones.

Create a garland with brown ribbon, add in some bay leaves or rosemary sprigs, and tuck in few branches of fir trimmings from your Christmas tree. Finish with a clear vase of pinecones, a few star-shaped lights, and some crystal snowflakes hanging from the garland to create a beautiful scented display that'll keep your room fragrant all season. 

Look, we love red and green at Christmas as much as the next person, but not every Christmas mantel needs to be so traditional. Spice up your Christmas scene with pops of purple.

Create this cool mantel design with a frosted pine garland, snowflake ornaments, white Christmas balls, and strands of faux pearls and snowflakes. Add lavender ribbons, bows, and purple tree silhouettes.

You can create the reindeer cutout centerpiece with lavender cardstock or painted wood decorated with snowflakes and Christmas trees. Hang purple stockings in gingham or another design, with satin streamers... and wait for Santa to arrive and be delighted by your unconventional Christmas color palette.

Channel Sam the Snowman of Rankin/Bass fame by giving your mantel a little extra glimmer with silver and gold. Christmas is one season where it's perfectly okay to mix your metals. 

This one is pretty easy to recreate (or create your own version of), with a Christmas wreath above the mantel featuring silver and gold ornaments, a gold-painted holiday tree made from pine cones, and other gold and silver touches like candlesticks. Finish with twinkling lights and presents wrapped in silver and gold gift wrap. 

If you're going for understated elegance, take some advice from Coco Chanel. Stand back and look at your finished design, and then remove at least one accessory so it's not overdone. Or make it as flashy as you desire and add even more so your mantel shines and sparkles like Times Square. We won't judge. 

The Victorians were pretty good at Christmas decor. So make like the Victorians with this pretty mantel. For this look, you need a wreath, pine or fir garland, stockings, and a big red bow. Accent the look with some large white traditional candles, and you'll be the envy of Pinterest.

Everyone knows the stockings are supposed to be hung by the chimney with care, so this traditional mantel has classic Christmas flare. The metal stocking hangers spell out the perfect Christmas sentiment. 

If you need a few extra brownie points from the jolly guy this season, make your mantel a tribute to him. Santa is sure to leave a few extra prezzies (or at least move you from the naughty to nice list) when you add all the Santa statues nestled in traditional green garland. It's the perfect way to hang stockings. Don't forget the milk and cookies... you know, just in case. 

Nothing says you have to fill your mantel full of festive decorations. Instead, display a simple jar of holiday candy and some of your favorite Christmas cards, all under an arch of twinkle lights. Choose which cards you place based on motif, color scheme, or sender. Just don't forget to add your mother-in-law's card when they come to visit so nobody's feelings are hurt. 

Make your mantel an extension of your Christmas tree with an evergreen garland strung across it. Add ornaments similar in style to what's on your tree, and nestle a few pinecones among the boughs for a warm and appealing design. 

Have a collection of nutcrackers? Give them center stage in your Christmas mantel design. Add a festive evergreen garland with twinkle lights, pinecones, and some whole walnuts, and then give your nutcrackers pride of place by setting them in amongst the greenery so everyone can see them.

If you have a beautiful nativity scene, make it the focal point of your holiday mantel design. Set up the scene on your mantel, and adorn the front with an evergreen garland, white lights, and a big red bow. It's a classic Christmas mantel theme that will fit with any holiday decor. 

With a minimalist color palette that mimics the natural world and a tiny tree as a centerpiece, this beautiful Christmas mantel design is simple and understated. From the sparse evergreen garland to the classic white candles set in glass holders filled with pinecones, it honors nature while still saying "Christmas."

A simple red berry garland, red votive candles, white pillar candles, and a red stocking are all it takes to create this berry beautiful holiday mantel. And while it's simple, it's also effective at welcoming all who enter your home to a Christmas wonderland.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Channel the peace of a snowy winter day with this serene mantel. Gather some white candles, trees, and spheres. Now all it needs are twinkly lights and a mirror set behind it to reflect your peaceful holiday vignette.  

If you want to decorate your mantel on a budget, head on down to your nearest Dollar Tree. Our interior design expert spent under $25 for this amazing mantel. Check out how she created a stylish and affordable Dollar Tree Christmas mantel and then see what you can create. 

Mantels are often the centerpiece of a room, so they're an important part of the Christmas decor story you tell in your home. With our creative holiday mantel design ideas, you'll be decked and ready to make a great impression on Santa when he comes down your chimney.