Spring Mantel Decor Ideas, Past and Present

It’s that time of year, time to fill all the areas left empty from Christmas with spring decor. One of those areas was my mantel. I always find decorating the mantel a bit of a challenge, and I am not really sure why. It’s just a shelf, and I love styling shelves, but somehow it just feels different. Maybe because it is such a focal point? As I was styling my mantel, I thought it would be a good time to share my spring mantel decor ideas, past and present.

This year, I styled my mantel two ways because I just wasn’t sure what I wanted. The photo above was mantel #2. The elements don’t scream spring, but are more of a subtle hint of spring. Florals, greens, birds, and watering cans whisper Spring to me. I like the way the placement of the elements creates an arch. This allows the mantel to seem less long and more cozy.

I turned an old lamp base into a planter. Books the colors of spring and a sweet bird complete the left side vignette.

Another grouping of books, this time turned around and tied with twine, hold a pretty Easter postcard. The books were placed in front of an old floral print that has been beautifully stained from age. More postcards held in a flower frog and a copper watering can are elevated by an old drawer turned upside down.

This was mantel #1 that I styled. I used basically the same elements, just a different layout. I like this one too, but it just didn’t feel as cozy. Also, I styled this on Saturday, and then found a new mirror on Sunday. I thought it would be perfect for decorating the mantel.

Mantel Decor From The Past

I did include a couple of early summer mantels as well as spring.

This was last year’s spring mantel. It felt very light and airy. I used the same books and bird paired with a more colorful floral print. Flowering tree branches were placed in an urn and also in an old bottle wrapped with a book page and tied with twine. You can see how I built my mantel here.

And for early summer, it got a little romantic with faux rose branches in an urn and pink ribbon cascading across the mantel. The focal point of this display was this wonderful old window with all the chippy, weathered goodness. The two corbels look pretty, but were actually added to keep the window from rolling.

In the dining room, I used the faux blooming branches that I made. You can see how I made them here. I added some vintage floral china, keeping the look simple and light.

My favorite part was the tea cup filled with a birds nest and faux eggs.

For this early summer mantel, I gathered the first blooms of the year from my rose bushes and placed them in a large glass jar. The jar was wrapped with sheet music and tied with twine, then placed in an old suitcase filled with greens and vintage birds.

If you struggle at all with decorating the mantel, I suggest just playing around with different elements until you achieve a look you like. It should be fun! l love looking at how others decorate, so I hope sharing my spring mantel decor ideas was enjoyable for you!

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Thanks for stopping by,

Janet