Learn how to style a fireplace with these simple tips!
Good morning friends!
Here we are – smack dab in the middle of THE MOST chaotic six weeks EVER.
You may remember that, just three short weeks ago, we jumped headfirst into the One Room Challenge, signing on to completely transform one room in our home in just six weeks.
I must say, I couldn’t be more excited to finally be creating the Farmhouse Master Bedroom of my dreams!
Really, dreams are coming true!
You see, I’ve got this lovely feature wall…
This pretty DIY Trumeau Mirror…
And a few dreamy pieces still on their way (find links to them all here)…
Seriously, I’m totally over-the-moon about it all!
But, what I’m most excited about this very moment is this…
I can’t believe my master bedroom has it’s very own fireplace! I’ve dreamed of it for years – a charming fireplace right in my bedroom, creating the most cozy, warm atmosphere. Don’t you just love the character they bring to a room? I mean who can deny the unique beauty of a fireplace in the bedroom?
Okay, so it might not be a real fireplace. But really, how lovely, how cozy and relaxing will this DIY Faux Fireplace be all lit up with candles?
Styled with all sorts of lovely farmhouse treasures!
Now, styling a fireplace can feel a bit daunting at first. A totally blank slate is a great place to start for sure, the only place to start really, but sometimes the possibilities of what it can become can feel totally overwhelming. I promise, with these simple tips and tricks, you’re sure to end up with the most perfectly styled fireplace – a lovely focal point for any room!
How to Style a Fireplace
Let’s start with the mantel, shall we?
There’s just one general rule that you’ll want to keep in mind as you style your fireplace mantel: create a visual triangle. That’s it. Each and every thing you add to your mantel, should relate back to this basic principle.
Step one: Start with your anchor. This could be one large piece, or even a grouping of pieces centred over your mantel that will form the main focal point over your fireplace (think of it as the top of your visual triangle). You’ll want to choose something tall that will fill a large portion of the wall space above your fireplace. Your anchor should create a large visual impact, one that mirrors the firebox below.
Step two: Bring balance to the sides. The next thing you’ll want to think about is bringing some visual weight to each side of your mantel. You want to choose items that will draw your eye from the main focal point outwards, adding width to your design (creating the bottom of your visual triangle). I like to add items that offer some height, but are still smaller than my anchor. Though they don’t need to be exactly the same to maintain balance, but be sure the objects at either end of your mantel are similar in visual weight.
Step three: Accessorize with smaller items. The last step to styling your mantel should be filling it in with smaller decor items. This is where you can make things look as full, or simple and minimal as you’d like. I think the biggest thing to keep in mind here is to add some variance to the heights to avoid creating a horizontal line straight across your mantel, which could overpower your visual triangle. Keep scale in mind here too, be sure to keep your accessories smaller than your first two layers.
Step four: Decorate your hearth. A fireplace isn’t just a mantel, you don’t want to forget that hearth (particularly if you’re working with a faux fireplace like I am today)! This is your chance to really make things cozy – add a chair with a warm throw or maybe some baskets of blankets or logs – whatever it is, don’t miss this chance to really finish things off.
And that’s it my friends! Four simple steps to a perfectly styled fireplace!
I can’t tell you how happy it makes me every time I walk into my bedroom to this lovely DIY Faux Fireplace!
Looking to score a few of these fab farmhouse finds for yourself? Here’s my source list:
DIY Faux Fireplace tutorial
Large White Pitcher
Simple Wreath
Brass Picture Frame
Set of 6 Bottle Vases & Tray
Hanging Table Clock
Set of 5 Turned Candle Holders
Herringbone Throw Blanket
Embroidered Pillow
*UPDATE* See it in our finished Farmhouse Style Master Bedroom here:
Find tutorials for all of our Farmhouse Master Bedroom Projects below:
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
*I put several beautiful products from Birch Lane to work styling my fireplace today. Though I received compensation for this post, as always, all opinions are 100% my own. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.*
Hi, Kristi ~ I love this fireplace and your tips for styling! We have a very modern-looking fireplace, and I can’t wait to give it a little farmhouse makeover. I’ll be pinning these tips, so that I can refer to them once we have a chance to make our fireplace more our style! Have a beautiful day!
Oh good! I’m so happy you found it helpful! Thank you SO much Tiffany!!!
Your fireplace looks stunning with all these gorgeous finds- AND great tips!!
Thank you Krista! It’s amazing the difference a few fabulous farmhouse accessories can make!
So love how this turned out, Kristi!!! And such a dreamy spot to have a fireplace, in your bedroom. And such perfect little decor details.
Thank you SO much Amy!!! I’m thrilled that you love it as much as I do!
Loved your styling tips!The fireplace looks absolutely stunning!
Thank you Aniko!!! I’m so excited to finally have this cozy spot!
Really is so lovely, Kristi. That feature wall is gorgeous. I’ve been eyeing those candlestick holders for awhile now! They are perfect for your fireplace.
Thank you SO much Chelsea! I’m in love with the wall and still can’t believe how perfectly it turned out! And those candlesticks are ahhhhmazing! I just know I’m going to find a zillion ways to use them!
Kristi, these are some really great tips and your faux fireplace is styled beautifully. I especially love those candle holders and will definitely have to check out Birch Lane!
Thank you Katie! After so many years of trial and error, I feel like I’ve finally got things dialled 😉 And those candle sticks are ahhhhhmazing! Thanks again friends!
I love the triangle visual. I’m still working on my fireplace…it is old reclaimed Chicago Brick so I love that it has a history aspect. BUT, I adore the white!
Oh my gosh, that sounds so lovely Lana! I would LOVE to have an old brick fireplace! Rock it girl!!!
It looks so pretty! I just finished mine too! Now I will style it and it will be up on my blog next week! So glad to see someone else enjoying theirs!
How exciting Pamela!!! It’s such a great way to bring some character to any space!
This is such an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing it. I’m Anita visiting from Creative Ways Link Party.
Thank you Anita! I’m so happy with how it all came together!
Oh, this is gorgeous. The wallpaper really sets it off. Thanks for the tips.
Thank you SO much Debbie! That wallpaper is actually a stencil if you can believe it!
I love your faux fireplace. It is so dreamy 🙂 I have a real one in my living room that I love to decorate. I love your tips on how to style too…great ideas! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you SO, SO much Anna! I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! I LOVE decorating ours in the living rooms too and am over the moon excited to have one in our master bedroom now (even if it isn’t real). 😉 Thanks again!
That is a beautiful styled mantel! I didn’t realize that was in your bedroom. How romantic with all of those candles lit!! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Thank you SO, SO much Sherry!!! It’s a part of our master bedroom makeover for the One Room Challenge. I’m so excited to see it in our finished space!
Wow-gorgeous! Your photography is fantastic!
Thank you SO much Alia!!! I’ve been practicing 😉
I love this so much. The wallpaper is so beautiful
Thank you SO much Vanessa! Believe it or not, I actually painted that wall with a stencil! Thanks again!
Great tips that also work when staging a house for sale, I’ll be sharing this over on my Facebook page now!
Awwwwww, well thank you Kristyn! I’m so happy you found it helpful!!!
Hi Kristi. 🙂 I just came over after finding your link at the Nifty Thrifty Sunday Link-up. Thanks for sharing your great tips about decorating a fire mantel. I have never heard of thinking of it in a triangle. I like that. It makes choosing and deciding a bit easier when having a visual in mind.
We’d love to re-do our fireplace in our living room sometime soon, but it’s pretty low on the list right now.
You have a beautiful master bedroom and a very cozy faux fireplace. 🙂
Thank you Kelli! I’m SO happy to hear that you found it helpful! We’ve got a couple of fireplaces in desperate need of a makeover too, but with so much else to do first, I’m not sure we’ll ever get around to them – I can absolutely relate. Thank you SO, SO much!
Everything looks so beautiful together!!
Thank you SO much Emily!
I’m seriously obsessed with the master bedroom design <3 <3 Thanks so much for linking up at our new Inspired by You link party!!
Awwww, well thank you Fotini! I’m so happy you love it!!!
I love your style and the fireplace looks amazing. Those candle holders are on my wish list for sure. Thanks so much for linking up to our inaugural “Inspired by You” link party!
Thank you SO much Angie! I absolutely love our new fireplace and those candles make it feel so cozy!
Wow! That fireplace! And such great styling tips, Kristi! I’m featuring this post tomorrow at the Talented Tuesday Link Party – thanks so much for linking up!
How exciting!!! What wonderful news to wake up to! Thanks so much Amy!!!
Very cute & cozy!
Thanks so much Julie!