Fall Mantel Decor Ideas Beyond The Usual Orange

Today’s post is all about fall mantel decor ideas! Fall is truly one of my favorite seasons of the year. October for us means we are officially done with the hot summer months, and we get to enjoy the mild fall and winter temperatures for the next few months. November feels so heavenly!

Living in Arizona means we don’t get to see the leaves change color here at home. If we want to see fall colors, we drive up north to Sedona or Flagstaff, or we bring the fall feeling home with decorations. We usually spend one or two weekends in Sedona every fall, and I start decorating our home with fall colors and candles.

My favorite part of our fall home decor (or any other season) is decorating our fireplace mantel. Since our fireplace is in our living room, we get to see it while watching TV or eating dinner in the dining room or the kitchen!

Fall mantel decor ideas: the main fireplace mantel with red candles and faux flower arrangement

11 Fall Mantel Decor Ideas

Our fireplace mantel is one of my favorite places to change up the seasonal decor. These are my favorite fall mantel decor ideas beyond the usual orange, plus a few tips for bringing the same colors into your living room.

1. Pick Deep Colors Instead Of Orange

Styling your mantel for fall: candles and faux flowers in burgundy and white

Burgundy, wine, plum and deep red still feel like fall, they just look a little more grown up than bright orange. This year I went with burgundy, white and gold on our mantel, and the red candles did most of the work. If you love your orange pumpkins, keep one or two and let the deeper colors take over the rest.

A few other fall mantel color combinations I like:

Burgundy, White And Gold: This is what I used this year. The deep red candles and white florals look rich, and the gold adds a little shine.
Cream, Beige And Natural Wood: Soft and calm, and it goes with almost any living room. Add white pumpkins, wood beads and dried grasses.
Sage Green, Cream And Brass: Green still feels like fall, especially with eucalyptus or olive branches.
Plum, Blush And Taupe: A little softer and more feminine. I love this one with velvet pumpkins.
Rust Or Terracotta With Neutrals: If you still want a hint of orange, a muted rust or terracotta looks softer than bright pumpkin orange.

2. Swap Orange Pumpkins For White Or Cream

Ideas for fall decor: candles, flowers and ceramic pumpkins

White and cream pumpkins are my go to when I want fall without the orange. I like ceramic ones because they last for years and I can reuse them every season. Mix two or three sizes so the mantel doesn’t look flat.

3. Mix Candle Heights

Fall mantel decor with red taper candles, burgundy and white hydrangeas and white pumpkins

I always put tall taper candles next to shorter ones. Different heights make the mantel look layered even when you’re only using a few pieces. Taper candle holders in two sizes make this so easy, I used two large and two small ones on ours.

4. Let A Garland Hang Over The Edge

Fall display for your living room: burgundy and white decor

A garland that drapes down one side softens all the straight lines of a mantel. I used a white berry garland this year, but eucalyptus, faux oak leaves or a silver dollar garland all look pretty too. Let it hang a little lower on one side so it looks natural.

5. Add Faux Florals In Deep Red And White

Fall themed decor display: white and burgundy faux flowers, candles and ceramic pumpkins

Real flowers don’t last long next to candles and a warm fireplace. Faux hydrangeas and roses in burgundy and white look so real these days, and you can use them again next year. I like tucking a few stems between the candles so there are no empty gaps.

6. Keep It Symmetrical For A Classic Look

I love symmetry, so I usually match both sides of the mantel with the same candle holders or vases. It looks calm and put together, and it’s the easiest look to copy if you’re new to decorating. If symmetry feels too formal for you, group things in odd numbers on one side instead.

A few more styling rules I follow every time I decorate our mantel:

Group in odd numbers: Three candles or five pumpkins look more natural than two or four.
Think in a triangle: Put your tallest piece in the middle or on one end and step down in height from there.
Leave some space: It’s tempting to fill every inch, but a little empty space helps each piece stand out.
Repeat a material: Use gold or brass two or three times across the mantel so it looks planned.
Check it from the couch: Step back and look at your mantel from where you sit most, since that’s how you’ll see it every day.

7. Bring In Marble, Brass And Glass

Fall themed candle and flower display for your home

Mixing a few materials keeps the mantel from looking flat. A marble tray, brass candlesticks and a glass vase give you texture without adding more color. I used a white marble tray this year and it made the whole display look more finished.

8. Anchor It With A Mirror Or Art

Every mantel needs one bigger piece in the center, like a mirror, a wreath or a painting. Everything else gets layered around it. If you don’t have one, a framed fall landscape print leaned against the wall works just as well.

9. Work Around A TV

Decorating your home for the season: fall mantel decor ideas

Lots of us have a TV over the fireplace, and that’s fine. Keep the decor low and spread out so it doesn’t block the screen, and skip anything tall in the center. A low garland with a few candles on each side is usually all you need.

10. Carry The Colors Into The Living Room

Fall living room decor with a white knit throw, candles and white pumpkins

The mantel looks even better when the rest of the room matches. A white throw on the sofa, a few pumpkins by the hearth and a candle on the coffee table carry the fall colors through the whole living room.

11. Mix Fresh And Faux Stems

Fall themed white and red hydrangeas with candle display

I like mixing a few fresh flowers or branches in with my faux stems. The faux ones do most of the work and last all season, and the fresh ones make the whole mantel look more real. When the fresh flowers are done, I just pull them out and the mantel still looks full.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need a whole new set of decor to give your mantel a fresh fall look. Pick deeper colors like burgundy, plum or cream instead of the usual orange, mix your candle heights, and add a garland and a few faux stems. Start with what you already have at home and add one or two new pieces each year.

Decorating for each season can feel like a little bit of work, but it doesn’t have to be a big project. A few candles, some flowers and your favorite fall colors are enough to make your living room feel cozy all the way through Thanksgiving.

Fall Mantel Decor FAQs

Cozy fall decor with pillar candles and white ceramic pumpkins on a knit throw

When Should I Decorate My Mantel For Fall?

Most people start in September. Here in Arizona I usually wait until October, when the heat is finally gone and it starts to feel like fall.

How Do I Decorate A Fall Mantel Without Orange?

Pick deeper or softer fall colors like burgundy, plum, cream, sage green or gold. White and cream pumpkins, red candles and faux florals still say fall, they just skip the bright orange.

What Do You Put On A Fall Mantel?

Start with one bigger piece in the center like a mirror, a wreath or art. Then add candles in different heights, a garland, a few pumpkins and some faux leaves or flowers to fill the gaps.

How Do I Decorate A Mantel With A TV Above It?

Keep everything low and spread it out to the sides. A garland across the front with a few candles and small pumpkins on each end looks pretty and won’t block the screen.

Is It Safe To Put Decor On A Mantel If I Use My Fireplace?

Keep garlands, faux flowers and anything that can burn away from the fireplace opening. If you use your fireplace a lot, flameless candles are a good option, and never leave real candles burning when you walk away.

How Do I Keep My Mantel From Looking Cluttered?

Use fewer, bigger pieces instead of lots of small ones, and stick to one color combination. A little empty space between groups makes the whole mantel look calmer.

Can I Keep My Fall Mantel Up Until Thanksgiving?

Yes! If you skip Halloween pieces and stick with pumpkins, candles, florals and garland, your mantel will work all the way through Thanksgiving. Then it’s time to switch to Christmas.

What Colors Go With Burgundy For Fall?

White, cream, gold and brass all look pretty with burgundy. I went with burgundy, white and gold on our mantel this year, and a little greenery keeps it from looking too dark.

How Many Things Should I Put On My Mantel?

There’s no exact number, but I usually stick to one big anchor piece and then two or three groups on each side. If it starts to feel busy, take one thing away.

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Happy decorating!

Love,

Sherry, xoxo

Fall Mantel Decor Ideas Beyond The Usual Orange