How to Style Easy Winter Mantel Decor for the Season
We’ve officially passed the Christmas season, but that doesn’t mean you have to dive right into spring. Learn how to style easy winter mantel decor for the season to add some cozy comfort to your home!
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Welcome to the Cozy Winter Home Tours
After taking a holiday break to spend time with family, I’m excited to get back to my blogging community! Reunited and it feels so gooood!
To kick off the season, I’m joining Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home for this year’s Cozy Winter Home Tours.
Amber runs a gorgeous blog with plenty of drool-worthy vintage and cottage-style decor. (I want to transplant her music room to my house.)
If you’re visiting via CoCo at The Crowned Goat, thanks so much for clicking over! I always leave CoCo’s blog brimming with ideas, especially after that fall porch she did last year. Wowza!
It seems many folks go big on decorating for fall and Christmas, but do you decorate your home for “winter”? If not, we’re hoping to convince you to start…
Winter Mantel Decorating Ideas
We rarely see snow in my neck of the woods, much less freezing temperatures. That doesn’t stop me from staging a cozy mantel in our living room, though!
To create an “intermission” for my mantel between Christmas and spring, I decided to focus on five main elements:
- Neutral color palette
- DIY farmhouse sign
- DIY pom-pom garland
- Sparkling tree cones
- Simple winter greenery
I also found tons of inspiration from these 25 stunning Christmas mantel decorating ideas.
1. Neutral colors to keep it cool
After the flurry of Christmas activity dies down, I like to think about creating a winter vibe by removing some elements and repositioning others. It’s like shedding layers rather than adding.
For my mantel, this means replacing my traditional red and gold Christmas decor with a more neutral color palette using candle holders, books, and ceramic accents.
2. Reversible DIY farmhouse sign
Perhaps you remember my Halloween mantel decorations? Well, you might recognize this little farmhouse sign that I have now made reversible.
Two holidays for the price of one!
Click here to get the farmhouse sign DIY tutorial!
I grew up watching The Sound of Music as a child (back when you had ONE chance to watch a movie as it aired). I thought this line from My Favorite Things was fitting for my winter mantel decor:
Silver white winters that melt into springs.
Stay tuned for a DIY tutorial soon that talks about the homemade chalk paint and lettering I used!
3. DIY Pom-Pom Garland
For winter decor, I tend to go for a more casual, hygge aesthetic. In keeping with my neutral color scheme, I chose two-tone yarn to make a “necklace” for my mantel.
This rustic DIY pom-pom garland couldn’t be easier to make, and now that I’m the proud owner of this little doo-hickey, there’s more where that came from!
See my Valentine garland for another example or check out my pom-pom video on YouTube.
4. Sparkling Conical Trees
If you’ve followed me for a while, you may recall the glam mercury glass centerpiece and homemade holiday wreaths I made a few years ago.
These two sparkling trees usually sit perched with that ensemble, but as I said, I like to move things around and repurpose items when I can.
I love that they say “winter” without screaming “Christmas!” While these were not a DIY project, I’m thinking of creating a knock-off version for the holidays this year.
5. Simple Winter Stems and Pine Cones
To add just a splash of color, I interspersed a few winter greenery pieces with varying textures and added a few pine cones.
I didn’t want to overwhelm the mantel with a long garland, so I used wire cutters to prune a floral pick and create my pine trimmings.
I felt the mantel decor needed a touch of life, so I also nestled a little bird among the pine branches. She looks ready for a spring mantel like I am!
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Continue Your Tour
Don’t forget to visit my other friends on the tour to gather more creative decorating ideas for winter.
Your next stop is Kristin at White Arrows Home. You haven’t seen a cozy cabin until you’ve seen Kristin’s place!
Bundle up and enjoy the rest of your winter, my friends!
That sign is so amazing!! I need it!! It would be so perfect in our home! Thanks for the inspiration!
Ha ha! Thanks so much, Kristin! Yes, it would be perfect in your home. By the way, I had no idea you were from Texas! I liked your FB page and noticed that. Have fun making your own sign for your cozy cabin!
Chrissy your mantel is so pretty all dressed up for the winter season. I love all the subtle colors.
Thanks, Terrie! This was a lot of fun to put together. I loved seeing your neutral drop cloth wreath, too. Enjoy the season!
Stunning winter decor! Your mantel is decorated perfectly each and every season. Tell me how you made that sign.
Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Kippi
Thank you, my friend! I’m working on that sign tutorial as we speak. I know you have the tools to make a perfect one for your place, too! I so appreciate you stopping by. Hugs, Crissy
So pretty Chrissy! I love the Sound of Music too, That sign is perfect!
Your pom pom garland has me inspired to make one too and I love all the neutral accents you used on your mantel for winter. Your sweet bird is a wonderful addition. I have a few little birdies out waiting for spring here too!
Thank you so much for joining the winter home tours!
Thank you, Amber! Isn’t it such a classic movie?
Thanks for your sweet comments and for organizing such a great tour of homes, as always. I get so inspired by all the talent I see on these tours. We appreciate everything you do to coordinate them!
Big hugs, Crissy
Crissy what a beautiful mantel you have created! I am in love with your beautiful reversible sign and can’t wait to see your tutorial . Such a brilliant idea.Loved hopping with you and thankful for your inspiration!
Thank you so much, Kelly! I truly enjoyed your info on paperwhites, too. Can’t wait to try growing those. Thank you for stopping by. I loved hopping with you, too!
Crissy, this is my favorite winter mantel. The sign and pompoms just make me smile. So light hearted, fresh and beautifully pulled together with the trees, greenery and candlesticks. Pinning for next year!
Aww, thanks, Michelle! That is such a nice compliment. I’m having fun just experimenting with different looks. It’s a big change from my Christmas mantel, and I’m enjoying how calm it makes me feel. Hopefully, some of that will rub off on the kids. Ha! So appreciate you pinning, too!
I love your neutral colors! They are the perfect reflection of winter. I’ve made pom pom garlands. They add a whimsical touch.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you, Jann! Aren’t pom pom garlands so fun to make? My twin boys actually helped me wind the yarn on several of them. They do add some whimsy, and I love experimenting with pom pom crafts now. Hugs back, Crissy
Crissy, I think your mantel looks positively calm and elegant. I’m sure it’s a calming change from the Christmas look!
Thank you, Lora! Yes, I need a little calm after the craziness of the holiday season. I’m enjoying the neutrals now. Enjoy the rest of your snow season! I wish we got just a little here!
Chrissy, so love the sign — perfect for the winter season. What a great idea! Have you ever heard of a My Favorite Things Party? I’ve hosted four to date. I built each around a theme and usually held the event in May-June. But, a girlfriend get-together during winter months would be a welcome treat for most. And, you already have the perfect sign to go with!
Thanks so much, Debbee! I’ve never heard of that kind of party, but it sounds just my style! What I love about this sign is that I can change out the words if I ever need too. But I’ll have to host one of those parties before I do. Ha! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs, Crissy
Your mantel is beautiful dressed for winter! I love the framed artwork. It is the perfect quote for this time of year. It has been so much fun being on this tour with you!
Thanks so much, Shannon! It was fun putting together a little winter decor and hopping with you. I’m looking forward to seeing your post as well. Enjoy the rest of the season!
Love your gorgeous and sparkly mantel. I went back and saw your wonderful tutorial on the wreath and centerpiece, so pretty! the greenery and birdie additions to the sparkle make it feel like a walk in an icy wood!
Aww, thank you Debra! I’m so thrilled you hopped around to see the other posts, too. I’m always so inspired by this hop. I loved seeing how you decorate your hearth room for winter. I’m still admiring the lovely details on your mantel and tool bench! Enjoy the rest of the season.
What a gorgeous mantel! I love the quote and all the white…so perfect for this time of year! So nice to hop with you!
Shelley
Thank you, Shelley! I don’t normally decorate so neutral, but I love experimenting. It’s always so nice to hop with you as well. I can’t wait to check out what you’re sharing this time!
Crissy, I love that sign and your mantel is charming! It is a pleasure to join you on the tour. Stay cozy, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you, Cecilia! I had a fun time putting it together. It’s always a pleasure to join you as well. Happy winter!
Your winter mantel is so soft and pretty. Love the pom pom garland too – I think I need that in my life! Always love hopping with you. 😉
Thanks, Cindy! It’s a nice change after all the red and gold (and glitter everywhere)! I hope you enjoy the rest of the season and our crazy Texas weather.
I’ll continue praying for a speedy recovery for your daughter as well! Take care, my friend.
Love your mantel decor, so perfect for the transition to winter from all the holiday color and fluff. Those candlesticks and the garland are perfect and I adore the wall “quote”.
That’s so kind, Marty. Thank you for stopping by. It is a nice transition, and if you could’ve seen my red and gold Christmas decor, you’d know what a big transition this one is! I’m enjoying the soothing neutrals now.
Such a genius idea to make your Halloween sign reversible, Crissy! Your mantel is totally fabulous. I love the sign, the candlesticks, the super cute pom pom garland – I love it all! Hope your winter is a relaxing one. Hugs, CoCo
Thanks, CoCo! I figure we have enough clutter, I might as well try to be efficient with my DIY decor! Thanks so much for visiting. I truly enjoyed your tips for making a cozy home, too. Hugs back, Crissy
That sign is perfect. I love your cozy winter touches.
Thank you, Katie! Happy to be hopping with you again.
Your winter mantel looks gorgeous, Christy! I’m looking forward to reading your tutorial for making your reversible farmhouse style sign. I also love The Sound of Music and I can sing every single song from that movie. When I was a kid, my friend and I would record ourselves singing the songs on my mom’s cassette recorder. We thought we sounded great. We especially liked “How do you solve a problem like Maria” as my friend’s name was Maria. Her mom was my piano teacher and we both played all of the songs from the movie on our pianos. I enjoyed your decor but especially enjoyed the reminder of The Sound of Music.
Thank you so much, Paula! I hope to get that farmhouse sign tutorial posted very soon. I’m with you on The Sound of Music. Isn’t it the greatest? I can picture you and your friend singing along. My best friend and I used to play the piano together, too! What fun memories.