Winter Mantel decorating ideas!
Do you struggle with taking down the festiveness of your holiday decor and feel things are a bit blah? Maybe you crave that fresh slate.
I have mixed emotions where this is concerned. Yes, I love a fresh slate, less clutter and order in our home. Every year, I do find it a bit sad to say goodbye to the twinkle lights, festive colors and garlands.
Today I'm sharing simple ways for creating a warm and inviting home after Christmas! You can still use some faux greens and twinkle lights to continue the glow.
This year I decided to not go cold turkey, but to give myself a gradual weaning.
Our family room is the perfect area for a little winter decor.
I'd like to give a big thanks to my blogging friend, Amber, from Follow the Yellow Brick Home. Her home has me swooning with all the seasons. Amber has quite the eye for design and weaving in new with antiques and vintage.
If you are visiting from over at Debra's cozy home…. welcome! I've been a follower of Debra's blog, Common Ground, since I started blogging! Her cozy French country cottage style won me over. I always leave inspired.
You can see a view of our Christmas mantel here. It's one of my favorites to date. We have high ceilings in our family room with a deep mantel, so I always feel like I can go big. This year I went big with greens and ribbon. You can see it in our Christmas home tour and Christmas Brunch Board.
I just could say goodbye to twinkle lights and evergreens. Guess what? I didn't! Just because the calendar tells us that it is January doesn't mean we have to lose the glow of the season.
I completely removed and packed away the Christmas decor, but I left out a few things…..pair of deer and greenery.
Greenery without berries and glitz is perfect for winter decor.
Create a similar look! (shop the look by photos below)
- crystal or glass candlesticks
- white or pewter candles
- mercury glass votive holders
- resin deer that don't scream Christmas
- wooden candlesticks
- large evergreen floral picks
- wire twinkle lights
- white votives
- similar toned obelisks and architectural elements
- white pillar candles
- real clippings of leyland cypress from the yard
Creating the look!
- place the deer
- place the candlesticks/holders with exception of votives
- place 1 large faux pick on either side of the deer – This gives a stiffer structure
- fill in with the real greens. I used leyland cypress.
- the faux greens are good for tucking the real greens into
- adjust as needed
- string 1 set of wired fairy lights around the art above and the greens
- fill in with all of the candles and votives
- stretch the look if needed with similar toned architecture pieces.
The faux and real greens work so well together that the faux appears real.
Everything on the mantel I already owned. These candlesticks are so pretty. I found them in Marshall's a couple of Christmases ago. They'll probably be history after this winter. They are not a bright shiny gold which I prefer after Christmas. They lend themselves to that rustic elegance that I gravitate towards.
If you want to recreate this look or feel, shop your home from decor that is neutral, white, soft gold, metallics, with evergreen touches. It's the perfect nod to winter.
I could not say goodbye to all the twinkle lights. We left some string lights wrapped around the front trees by the front walkway. I have several sets of these battery operated wire fairy lights. They are a year round staple. They are great for decor, buffets, dining tables and more! Mine are all battery operated which I find last a decent amount of time, but have now discovered ones that plug in! I'll be adding them for sure and saving my battery operated ones for tables. They don't scream Christmas lights.
I seriously want to sling these string lights everywhere. They are fun for the weekends. I have 3 strands in the family room alone!
String lights are still on the secretary. They feel romantic and magical at night. They blend right in during the day.
Nothing like a little winter glow.
I purchased these deer at Hobby Lobby a few years ago and love using them fall through winter. We live in the country surrounded by woods. It's a treat to see deer families in our yard and woods.
Decorate in a way that makes you happy! This is the perfect way for me to transition from Christmas, to winter and then to early spring.
I'd love for you to share any winter decorating ideas that you have!
Up next on the tour my sweet friend Cindy from County Road 407! Cindy's home is so inviting. If you haven't visited before….you need to! I adore her front door that opens up into her cozy family room.
More fabulous ideas for winter decorating!
Terrie Tipler says
Christy I never thought about hanging lights up. What an awesome idea. Your mantel it so pretty. Love every thing.
larissa says
Christy your winter mantel is stunning! The deer statues are just beautiful and I love your mix of fresh greenery and faux. After seeing your twinkle lights I must get some for my home! They are just magical and dreamy! I loved your tour!
larissa
Kelly Radcliff says
Oh Christy I just love how you have styled your mantel…I agree..I can’t go cold turkey either after Christmas! I am in love with your greenery, lights and mercury glass combo! I think I need those votives. Thanks for sharing!
Amber Ferguson says
Your home is so elegant yet cozy and homey in every season! I love all the candles, greenery and twinkle lights. Like you I am “weaning” myself off the festive decor using greenery candles and some lights. Your mantle is styled beautifully and everything looks just perfect!
Thank you so much for joining the winter home tours!
Lora Bloomquist says
I’m all for keeping the lights going in January, Christy! We can’t go totally cold turkey after the holidays! Your mantel is subtle, yet glam; so pretty!
Carol says
Great mantel Christy. Love all the candles and the deer ~ wish I had thought to leave mine out for winter. Mixing faux and fresh greenery is a great idea to make it go further and extend the natural look. Happy New Year and decorating.
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane says
Christy, you have certainly captured the perfect winter vignette on your mantel. Love the deer, the greenery and the tappers are so elegant in your tall space. Simply gorgeous!
Debbee M says
Christy, you are very talented in styling a mantle. Such a beautiful look that works perfectly with your home decor. I love the deer figures, and would never want to put them away — just find somewhere else to tuck them. Are they vintage? Very special.
Shannon says
Christy, I am swooning over the way you have decorated your mantel! It is gorgeous! The glow of the light, deer and greenery create a beautiful and elegant display! You have inspired me! I’m always lost when it comes to winter decorating. This is a wonderful idea!
Crissy says
The mantel looks beautiful and elegant, Christy! I love how you combined the real and faux greenery, deer and twinkle lights. I also love using plug-in twinkle lights. Sometimes you need that instead of the battery-operated kind. Those taper candles are so unique…I absolutely love the texture and color. Thanks for the inspiration!
Debra Oliver says
Christy, thankyou so much for the very kind intro about my blog. I’m in awe of your beautiful home and decor, so that really meant so much to me!!! (sniff, sniff). I’m in love with your fairy lights and generous use of them. I found some on amazon early in the Christmas season but they were a bright cold white light. Yours look perfectly warm and natural. I agree, they need to be plug in. Your mantel is wonderful, love all the deer, candles and evergreens!
cindy says
Girl, that mantel is fantastic! I need me some deer and that faux greenery looks so real. I hope to find some next year. Not in the mood to get some now. I’m moving on to Spring in my mind. :0 Love your entire room. It’s all so cozy. Always love hopping with you. Enjoy! Pinned
Chloe says
Your deer are setting the scene perfectly for winter. You certainly have transformed your mantel from Christmas to winter and made it cozy and welcoming. Of course for me, the glow of a fire or candles are always a lovely way to make a space feel cozy!
Jann Olson says
Your mantel is perfect for Winter. I love the greens, the deer, and the candles!
I always have to have a little bling after Christmas.
Hugs,
Jann
CoCo says
Totally obsessed with this beautiful mantel, Christy! The deer, greenery, candles and fairy lights are perfect for this time of year. I love how layered everything is too. It just makes me want to snuggle up and read a good book. Sending you hugs for a happy winter season, CoCo
Marty says
Your home is such a favorite and I always love seeing how you decorate for all the seasons. Your mantel is so perfect for winter with the stunning deer and greenery and just a touch of glow from the candles. Perfect transition to winter.
Katie Mansfield says
Those deer are adorable. I love fairy lights too. I have several on timers to add a fun glow. Your house is gorgeous and your fireplace surround is just stunning.
Cindy McTigue says
Beautiful Christy,
I love candlelight during this time of year. Love the warmth plus I’m addicted.
My goal is to find white washed sitting deer next year. Wish me luck.
Cindy
Calypso in the Country says
Christy, your winter mantel is gorgeous! I love all the candles and how you kept out some of your white lights for January…You’re right, nothing like a winter glow. We’re inside so much this time of year so we all should make our homes cozy and inviting. You definitely accomplished that in yours. Great hopping with you!
Shelley
Paula says
Your mantel is perfect for winter, Christy! I love your deer and how you surrounded them with greenery and candles. Adding string lights to your artwork and secretary are other ideas that I love.