Decorating your fireplace mantel is a simple task which can add elegance and grace to any room. Traditionally the fireplace is the focal point of the home (its Latin name is “focus”) and the first thing that guests will notice upon entering. Luckily you can dazzle your company with simple yet visually stimulating arrangements of decorations.

There are an infinite amount of design opportunities available when considering a mantel piece. Anything from small, inexpensive arrangements to large, prominent decorations can add depth and refinement. The main consideration is continuity of them; consider the overall style of your room and decorate your mantel to compliment it rather than overpower it.

If you opt for a large, expensive decoration you should also consider the purpose of the room in which the mantel is located. A large mirror can add an additional sense of space and depth to smaller rooms, while the addition of a prominent piece of artwork can serve as a great discussion piece for visitors. Many modern homes will mount a high-definition television above their mantel, a design style which can be effective in master bedrooms or living rooms which don’t have enough wall space to accommodate both a television and a mantelpiece simultaneously.

Do not underestimate the value of small, inexpensive arrangements of decorations, however. Well-placed selections of family photos, candles, or floral arrangements can add color and personality to a home and achieve the same decorative goals as larger, more expensive design options. An effective design consideration when arranging smaller decorations is not to spread them out evenly along the mantelpiece. Arranging concentrated clusters of various sized photographs or candles is more visually appealing tan aligning them evenly along the entire length of the mantel. Experiment with grouping, depth and size until you can sense an overall balance.

A note about candles: safety is paramount. Never arrange candles in a place where they will not be adequately monitored when lit, and ensure that they are a safe distance from any paper or floral decorations which may be nearby.