18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
Add a touch of old-world charm to your home with this gallery of 18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas.
I love fireplaces. Absolutely love them.
Every home we have renovated I have added a fireplace to. Even our 130-year-old Victorian didn’t have one, so I added it. Read about it here.
The flicker of flames dancing on a dark wall represents warmth and invites one to pull up a chair and relax.
I can almost hear the whispers of an old mantel with chipped paint and peeling plaster and wonder about the tales it could tell.
For those of you who follwed along with our French Country Cottage fixer-upper adventures, then you remember when we found our 8ft by 5ft antique mirror (if you missed How to Decorate with Large Mirrors read it here).
Well, another treasure that I found on that trip was this gorgeous antique fireplace mantel. I wasn’t even sure exactly how I would use it, but it was too beautiful to pass up.
So it got me thinking – how to decorate with antique fireplace mantels?
From books to logs and jars to flowers there are so many ways to decorate an old fireplace mantel in your home.
Let’s scroll through a gallery of ideas and maybe you will be inspired to find one of your own (including how we finished ours)!!
For more home decor and design inspiration, be sure to check out:
- DIY Ideas For A Pure Happy Home
- 44 Basement Ceiling Ideas
- 8 Creative Ways to Use Brick Pavers
- DIY Farmhouse Decor On A Budget
- 18 Amazing Ideas To Finish Attic Spaces
- How To Create Design Balance In Your Home
18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
Replace an Existing Mantel
Certainly, not the least common use of a reclaimed fireplace mantel is to simply replace an existing mantel.
Courtney at French Country Cottage has so many beautiful pictures to share, but this fireplace is a good representation of what you will find.
She and her husband removed the original mantel and reclaimed the one that you see here. Definitely in need of some fixer-upper love.
Some white milk paint later – check out the after photo!
Gorgeous!! Absolutely love the white plaster against that old brick. I bet Santa couldn’t wait to come down that chimney.
18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
Wall Mounted with Faux Surround
This is a great idea for those who want to replicate the look of a fireplace but do not have the space for an actual firebox.
This homeowner wanted a fireplace in the dining room but clearly didn’t have the space for a firebox.
Here it looks like they mounted it to the wall and added pressed tin to the inside. A beautiful touch to this room. And that mirror?! Instant class.
If this doesn’t inspire you to find an old fireplace mantel, then I don’t know what will. See that wall ahead?
Larissa Jenkins at Welch House 1900 turned that wall into the stunning vignette you see below.
#fireplace goals for sure. They absolutely nailed this project. Read about this incredible transformation here!
This fireplace by Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home appears to have decorative tiles inside with a cast iron cover in front.
Notice how they brought the tile out onto the floor to create a hearth? Excellent idea and an easy DIY!
18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
Wall Frame
Wall frame means that the mantel is literally mounted to the wall like a frame. There is no fireplace insert nor is there an illusion of one.
It simply acts to define the space for a particular vignette.
I love the way this decorator chose to highlight her blue glass bottles. Perfect place to put an old trunk or crate!
This blog post is actually about how to age wood. See that mantel?
Most of that is new wood! Click on Shabby Soul to learn how to create your own “antique” fireplace mantel!
You will not be disappointed if you click on the Instagram account of Three Sons Farmhouse.
This lovely antique fireplace mantel filled with books is just one corner of their beautiful home.
And another shot. I could read in that corner all day!
This mantel almost acts like a side table. If you have a smaller fireplace mantel this can actually work very well and adds more visual interest than a standard console table.
I love the use of vintage cutting boards here.
It could also look cute to mount them on the wall inside the mantel. Have an empty wall in your kitchen?
Again, from Courtney’s home! You do not need a surround or a hearth to make a statement.
This is simply a chippy white antique fireplace mantel anchored to the wall and beautifully staged. Statement made.
18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
Reface Existing Brick
The point here is that if you already have a brick fireplace, then it is not difficult to simply reface the brick with a reclaimed or new mantel.
It adds a lot of visual appeal to an otherwise outdated appearance.
This can be done on a smaller scale or a larger scale. And look at that cute nook in the brick for logs? I love how the white mantel brightens up the room.
Here is an example of an existing fireplace that would be a perfect candidate for refacing with a fireplace mantel.
It would immediately highlight the fireplace.
The 3 brick supports under the current mantel could actually be knocked off and hidden with decor or in this case, personally, I would put an old barn beam or a faux beam there.
This room is really asking for one!
18+ Antique Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas
Log Storage
This decorator cut a bunch of logs and glued the ends to the wall within the mantel.
Or just create very short stacks!
This is a tutorial on how to actually create a fireplace screen with the appearance of log storage. I am planning on doing this to ours. Love this idea!
Remember this antique fireplace mantel? See it now!
Read all about our vintage fireplace transformation.
I hope you have found some design inspiration, and if you aren’t sure where to find an antique mantel then look up used furniture stores in your area or be sure to check out Facebook marketplace.
Happy decorating!!
For more home decor and design inspiration, be sure to check out:
- DIY Ideas For A Pure Happy Home
- 44 Basement Ceiling Ideas
- 8 Creative Ways to Use Brick Pavers
- DIY Farmhouse Decor On A Budget
- 18 Amazing Ideas To Finish Attic Spaces
- How To Create Design Balance In Your Home
Pin any of the images below for later!
Love this post, you have so many wonderful inspiration pics! thanks so much for joining in on All About Home.
Love all these ideas! Can’t wait to see the final project! Pinning!
Thanks Lora!