The fireplace is the center of holiday festivities when it comes to Christmastime – it’s where we hang our stockings with care, warm our toes on cold winter nights, and open up gifts from dear old Santa Claus. This year for my Christmas mantel I decided to go for a minimalist Scandinavian look. I just love the plain simple feel of Scandi decor, especially around the holidays (check out my inspiration post HERE!), so I can focus more on family and the true meaning of Christmas. If you prefer a more modern look, like me, there are a few DIY options that will make your Scandinavian Christmas mantel shine with just the right amount of holiday cheer.
It’s important not to overload with cherry red and apple green decor if you are going for the minimalist Scandinavian Christmas look. Utilize neutral colors like white, gray, raw wood, and natural foresty green colors. Add pops of silver or gold for an extra classy touch!
An easy (and did I mention free?) way to dress up your Christmas mantle is to incorporate natural elements like branches, berries, and pinecones. I used glass jars of varying sizes and fresh-cut boughs from a tree in my backyard. It’s not only a pretty Scandinavian-inspired set up, but my house also smells like a Christmas tree!
Branches in vases are also the perfect low-key option if you either can’t afford a tree or don’t have the space for one. You could even hang mini ornaments or baubles on them for an extra Christmasy touch.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without twinkling lights, am I right? This JOY marquee Christmas sign I made a couple of years ago is the perfect focal piece for my mantel. All you need is a bit of plywood, some cardboard letters, and a string of Christmas lights.
If stockings aren’t your style or you just want a pretty placeholder until Christmas eve, make some glittery winter-inspired banners to add a little bit of glam to your fireplace! I evoked images of Rudolph with antlers and the classic winter story, The Mitten by Jan Brett, with an arctic fox.
Fireplaces are a great place to sip hot cocoa and read traditional Christmas tales, but if yours doesn’t get much use or you just want to keep the draft out when you aren’t roasting chestnuts on the open fire, then you can easily build a wood round insert that looks classy and fits in with the Scandi theme flawlessly.
Paper snowflakes are the perfect whimsical, modern, and minimal Christmas decoration. I made mine using coffee filters since they are more transparent and give off the feel of real snow. You can get the kids in on the action and have a memorable afternoon coming up with new patterns and styles. I love my magical winter wonderland!
Christmas decor DIY can be more cost effective than buying manufactured decorations – plus they are more fun! I like to decorate the little sidetable my my fireplace with a couple of my favorite holiday projects like my shadowbox art and mason jar snowglobe.
I’m really happy with how my minimalist Scandinavian Christmas mantel turned out. We’re hoping to move in the next few months, so it was a good excuse to try out a new style and not drag all of our Christmas stuff out of storage. I’m really digging the simplistic look – I may have to implement it in our new home, too!
What’s your fave way to decorate your mantel for Christmas?
Very pretty! I love the stacked wood in the fireplace!
Thanks so much, Randi! 🙂