So often, we focus on the mantel and the wall above, and we miss entirely what’s down below.
So here are my 5 Reasons to Decorate IN FRONT of your fireplace:
- One reason is so that your eye can be drawn down from the mantel and into the room. In order for the fabulous-ness that you are displaying up above and on your mantel to mean something, it needs to connect with the rest of the room. And the best way to do that is to balance it out by bringing interest off the wall and down to the floor.
- Styling in front of the fireplace brings a 3-D effect to your mantel display. To stop decorating at the mantel and above leads to a flat look (I’ve said it before – ‘Layer, layer, LAYER!’).
- Styling also achieves a ‘lived-in’ look. Don’t you love to see a photo of a cozy chair beside a fireplace with a throw tossed over an arm and a book or cup of coffee nearby? Well… YES!
- Decorating in front of your fireplace disguises attributes that you aren’t crazy about. I’m not in love with the material our hearth is made of. I’d love to re-do this spot, but until I can, I will style appropriately in front of the fireplace! In this case, I have the market basket under the bench, and the throw draping down to the hearth!
- It’s simply more pleasing to the eye. OK… that sounds subjective! But it’s true! I would say the more you have going on up on the mantel, the more imperative it is to have something down below. Can you imagine how top heavy this vignette would be if I had stopped with the mantel?
Here are some other fireplace vignettes:
I invite you to pin this image for future reference:
How about you? Do you like to decorate in front of the fireplace?
Happy Fall, Y’all!
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2014-2015
Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home says
October 8, 2014 at 8:28 amHi Sondra Lyn,
I’ve seen this decorating idea/trend more often lately . . . and I love the idea!
I’m looking for ways to decorate in front of my mantle this Fall . . . which is a first for me.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Have a great week,
Suzanne
Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
September 8, 2015 at 10:11 pmYes, yes and yes! I am just now discovering and seizing the power and beauty of decorating *in front* of my fireplace. It makes our space feel so much cozier and lived-in. Thanks for these excellent tips, Sondra Lyn!
Maria says
October 14, 2015 at 10:00 amHi Sandra!
I love love your mantel decoration, you are very talented.
I’m in the process of remoleding my house. Do you mind shering your house paint color with me?
Thank you!!
Maria.
Sondra Lyn says
October 14, 2015 at 11:53 pmThank you so much, Maria! I don’t mind sharing the color at all… it is Palm Springs Tan, by Glidden. I am thinking of re-painting, though, and the color I really love now is called Comfort Gray by Sherwin Williams, and I really recommend that color!
Sue says
November 16, 2015 at 7:45 pmHi! Love your ideas and all your tips. Can you please share your source for the mantle clock? Thanks.
Joann says
January 9, 2016 at 4:03 pmGreat looking mantle, can you share where you picked up the great metal clock on the mantle?
Sondra Lyn says
January 11, 2016 at 10:11 amHi Joann! Thanks for reading!! I picked up the clock at TJMaxx a few years ago, but I actually found a link to it for you!
http://www.smartbargains.com/detail.asp?iq=1&bo_products_id=0&bo_products_variance_id=239983&promotion_code=PBD239983
Good luck!
-Sondra
Joann says
January 16, 2016 at 5:47 pmThank you
Dianne says
August 3, 2018 at 7:27 amSondra I have an elevated hearth about 24 inches deep so placing furniture in front of it is more of a challenge. Amy suggestions? Thanks
Sondra Lyn says
August 9, 2018 at 12:13 amThanks for reading, Dianne! You’re not alone. Lots of fireplaces have elevated hearths. One way to accessorize in front of these is to use a stool, or a large olive bucket, or anything kind of large, but within the depth of the hearth. You can still toss a throw over a stool, or stack some kindling in the bucket. Use your imagination and I’m sure it’ll look great!