Simple Fall Mantel Decorating Ideas (Natural and Easy)

Do you decorate your mantel for fall? I hope so, because a mantel is one of the best focal points you can style for any season. Its size, its width, and that big flat surface make it a natural stage for a little seasonal decorating. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite simple fall mantels, using natural, easy fall mantel decorating ideas.

When should you decorate for autumn? Anytime you want to. The moment you’re ready to fill your home with the accessories that put you in the mood for fall, go for it. And how do I decorate my own mantel? As easily as possible, leaning on pieces I already have rather than buying something new.

That’s really the heart of a simple fall mantel. We all love the cozy vibe a fireplace brings to a room, even before the weather turns cool enough to light it. Can you walk into a space and not let your eye go straight to the fireplace? I can’t either, which is exactly why it’s worth a few minutes of easy, natural styling this time of year.

Simple Fall Mantel Inspiration with a Natural Look

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This beautiful, simple fall mantel from Janelle Trinette was my inspiration. Unfortunately, her site no longer exists, but you can clearly see the design elements in this image.

This natural fall mantel is a lovely inspiration since I had already decided on a soft, neutral fall mantel.

Here are two previous fall mantels you will like:

• How to Decorate Your Mantel for Early Fall
• Fabulous Fall Living Room Mantel

Inspiration Elements of the Fall Mantel

What elements do I see in Janelle’s fall mantel?

• a large apothecary jar with fall foliage (on the left side of the mantel)
• 4 wood candlesticks with pumpkins on top
• lantern with a wood frame on the right side of the mantel
• large sign
• faux fall foliage

Now, remember that this is an inspiration fall mantel. It always helps to have a picture for inspiration. Photos in magazines and on Pinterest help us create our own version of a fall mantel. That’s exactly what I did.

Elements for My Simple Fall Mantel

What did I have on hand to use for my fall mantel?

You do shop your house first, right?

• a large apothecary jar – here is a set of two
• 4 tall wood candlesticks
• 4 natural-looking pumpkins – 2 craft papier-mache ones from Hobby Lobby that I found in my stash from last year and never used; if you can’t find papier-mache pumpkins, these braided pumpkins would work very well.
• 2 twig pumpkins that I’ve had forever
• fall florals

In another one of Janelle’s designs on her post, she used a large wood slice. I had one so I added that to the fall mantel.

No matter your fall mantel style, the styling process stays the same.

Start with a Natural Base

The easiest fall mantel starts with natural materials you may already have. A grapevine garland, a few branches, or dried stems give you a soft foundation. Layer in real or faux pumpkins in creamy whites and warm neutrals, and let a little greenery spill over the edge to soften the mantel.

Keep It Simple with the Rule of Layering

A mantel looks intentional when you vary height and let pieces overlap. Lean a piece of art or a mirror at the back, set candlesticks or an apothecary jar to one side, and cluster pumpkins in odd numbers at different heights. Leave some breathing room so the whole thing feels collected, not crowded.

Autumn Mantel Touches that Always Work

For a warm autumn feel, reach for texture over color. Woven baskets, wood candlesticks, braided or twig pumpkins, and a simple grapevine wreath all read as fall without looking fussy. Swap in a few deeper tones as the season moves toward Thanksgiving.

Follow these tried-and-true design rules, and you’ll have a gorgeous fall mantel in no time.

First Steps to Designing a Natural, Simple Fall Mantel

The first step in designing a fall (or any season or holiday) mantel is always to clear everything off. You need a clean slate to begin any decorating project. I also dust off the mantel.

We keep all our fall decor in the garage. Hats off to Sweet Shark, who agreed to help go through our eight or nine bins of fall decorations to find just the things I needed. We went through all the bins, and I picked out what I needed for the fall mantel.

Did I mention it was 90+ degrees in the garage?

I brought in some neutral pumpkins, florals, and a bag of fall balls in different textures.

The tall wood candlesticks were the first thing I added to the mantel. Fortunately, I store these candlesticks in my decor closet. I bought the taller ones in Atlanta. I bought the simpler ones locally a few years ago.

Don’t worry. Our Tarkay painting will be coming down.

Next, I added the pumpkins. Just to let you know, they won’t all stay in this arrangement.

The Fall Apothecary Jar

I love my apothecary jars. I have several, but I chose the biggest one because our mantel and fireplace area are wide and tall.

Apothecary jars of all sizes are available online.

First, I filled the jar with a bunch of neutral-colored and textured balls. I bought these at Pier 1 years ago; I always use them somewhere in my fall decorating.

I knew that I didn’t have the fall florals I needed at home, so I stopped at Hobby Lobby on the way home from tennis. I tried to find the most neutral colors I could – nothing too bright.

I bought 6 picks for a total of $21.55, which was 40% off.

I used my clippers to cut down a few picks and stuck them in the balls in the jar. The balls made them stand up.

The florals need a little tweaking. Notice also that there is now only one candlestick. The painting is also gone. We hung a leftover teak table leaf on the wall above the mantel.

I pulled out and fluffed up the floral stems. I also added two pieces of floral vine that I already had. Draping the brown leaf florals adds more fullness and interest. Much better, don’t you think?

Decorating the Right Side of the Mantel

The large candlestick, large pumpkin, and large apothecary jar provided plenty of visual weight on the left side of the mantel. To balance it, I used three candlesticks on the right side.

I tucked the large wood slice behind the candlesticks. I love to use my burlap-covered books in the fall. The books are covered in adhesive burlap. The neutral color and texture are just right this time of year.

I left the large papier-mache pumpkin in its natural state, which contrasts in color and texture with the twig pumpkins.

I also added my vintage grain scoop for whimsy, color, and texture. A couple of floral picks in my stash added just a little pop of fall color to balance the left side of the mantel.

Fall Garland

The mantel needed some finishing touches.

At Hobby Lobby, I noticed a ready-made garland that I knew I could recreate easily at home. I needed just a few supplies to add to what I already had on hand.

The garland added the perfect finishing touch in terms of colors, texture, and design.

Here is how to make the garland. It was so easy and fun to do (while watching your favorite movie).

New Wreath for the Fall Mantel

I have used my grapevine wreath so many times. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Since I had plenty of leftover fabric from the garland project, I tied strips together to add to the grapevine wreath. I made the burlap bow using wired burlap ribbon.

I attached the grapevine wreath to the teak table leaf with jute twine. This was the fastest wreath to make ever!

Simple Fall Mantel in Natural Colors Reveal

Here is the entire fall mantel in all its glory.

You may notice it has an asymmetrical arrangement, but it is still balanced. The left and right sides create a “V” that pulls your eye into the center of the mantel.

I think this simple fall mantel will be a great transition from early fall to deep fall. What do you think?

Need help styling your mantels? Get your FREE 5-Step Mantel Design GUIDE.

Check out these other fall decorating ideas:

• 62 Best of the Best Fall Decorating Ideas
• Cozy Fall Decor Ideas for the Living Room
• Fall Hutch Styling with White and Natural Tones

Want to save this mantel project for fall inspiration? Please PIN this fall mantel to your Pinterest boards. Check out my Fall Decor Pinterest Boards: Fall Mantels, Fall Home Decor, and Fall DIY.