Whether de-thawing numb-nibbled toes after an afternoon of icy escapades, roasting chestnuts in glee with favorite faces, or cozying up with a frothy, cinnamon dusted cocoa and captivating page-turner, nothing beats gathering around a roaring fire – especially when it’s so brrr cold outside.
So it’s only right that the hearth and heart of the home be given an extra special dose of holiday TLC with some striking Christmas decor ideas for your fireplace. From festive additions for a mantel, to creating a personality-filled surrounding display that's sure to impress guests – Santa included – it's the perfect place to start if you want to ignite that holiday feeling at home.
Red hot Christmas fireplace decor ideas
Owen Pacey, antiques expert and founder of fireplace specialist Renaissance London, recommends mixing it up with mirrors: ‘A fireplace is an obvious place for a mirror but a pair either side or in alcoves also work well. Don’t be afraid of scale when it comes to choosing your mirror and do group them together in pairs, trios or clusters to make an impressive wall feature.’
1. Cascading glow
Swap a roaring fire for a gorgeous glow with this dazzling Christmas lighting idea. Shower your fireplace with an enchanting stargazer inspired, climbing vine garland and let the cascading light strands transform your space into a sensory wonderland. A few evergreen additions create a truly magical scene and lasting impression – sensational.
2. Jewel maximalism
For a Christmas fireplace decorating idea that steals the show with superpower wow, have a go at creating your very own floral tapestry. Use a rainbow spectrum of jewel baubles, sprayed foliage and exotic leaves, and colored dried flowers, to go bigger, bolder and brighter like never before. Swap out the baubles for greetings cards to create a heartwarming Christmas card display for a more subtle and sentimental adaptation.
Experts at Dobbies say: ‘Set to stand out in Christmas 2021 is the floral tapestry. A real departure from traditional displays, this is a statement piece that will last all season.’ Learn how to at Dobbies.
3. Miniature tree forest
This charming Christmas fireplace decorating idea is super simple to recreate and makes the most appealing of displays when you're cozying up on the couch. Why is it that everything looks so much cuter in miniature form? Stagger vintage inspired bottlebrush trees in varying heights along the length of your mantelpiece and weave in some micro Christmas fairy lights to add a subtle twinkle. The bristly little trees add gorgeous texture and bring a nostalgic nod that will be appreciated by all generations. Add cheery color pops with personalised stockings hung on decorative stocking holders. For an added styling hack, and before Santa makes his official visit down the chimney – pad out and fill the top of each stocking with a couple of ‘stunt presents,’ for a merry finishing touch.
4. Decorate beyond the mantelpiece
Garden picked greenery and dried hydrangea heads make a gorgeous seasonal accent on a narrow Christmas-styled mantelpiece. Hang clusters of baubles on different lengths of ribbon for a modern take on a swagged garland. But why stop there? If your fireplace is ornamental as opposed to working, fill the dark void with gifts (the Christmas tree always gets its fair share!), and potted seasonal plants. And in the spirit of giving, leave a pile of clementines for Rudolph and his pals. A disco ball and mini disco baubles add yet more party spirit, whilst dazzling the space in dancing light. This is a fantastic Christmas living room look that's sure to welcome holiday guests in style.
5.Paper trimmings
It’s not just the turkey that gets all the trimmings! This year treat your fireplace to some playful frivolity with some fun embellishments. Tassels, fringing and pompoms and paper decs are having a big moment right now – bringing a youthful spirit and tactile edge to everything from scatter cushions to upholstered furniture. It’s easy to update existing holiday decor with DIY Christmas decorations and placing them on the floor surrounding your fireplace helps expand the space also. Shown above, paper trees and mirrored Christmas ornaments complement a crafty, chic and ho ho happy look, with just a scattering of boho spirit.
6. Wreaths aren’t just for the front door
Spread the holiday spirit throughout your home and dress every space with a seasonal touch to amp up the celebratory cheer. Using the space above your fireplace is an easy win over the holidays. Pick up a stunning Christmas wreath and your festive display is served.
‘While wreaths are welcoming when hung on a front door, a trend for homes in winter 2021 is to hang different styles of wreaths throughout the house indoors too. They can be hung over a fireplace to bring a festive feel to a living space, or place on an internal wall or door. We’re even seeing less traditional variations – such as feathers and gold wheat - in the bedroom as we fill our homes with lots more decorations this year,’ say experts at Arighi Bianchi.’
7. Wild takeover
A beautiful and enchanting Scandi Christmas decorating idea for homespun rustic appeal, adorn your fireplace with unruly and trailing foraged greenery. Incorporate a variety of fresh textures and verdant greens – everything from delicate fern tendrils, to bristling fir sprigs, unfurling ivy and glossy holly, for an abundant foraged Christmas garland design that lets the raw beauty of nature do the talking. A simple piece of discreet chicken wire tucked behind a mirror will allow you to weave the greenery up and beyond in the spirit of untamed ‘wildness’.
8. Metallic magic
Another trending way to style your fireplace for Christmas is to spray foliage and grasses in metallic shades, to luxurious effect. This decadent look works best on dried species where the color has a mat foundation on which to stick (eucalyptus and dried grasses work a treat.) Arrange sprigs and stems in informal, wild arrangements – this look is all about creating volume and height. For a magical, celestial touch, add a metallic Christmas garland or decorations featuring moons and stars.
9. Snow white purity
Complement a white marble fireplace surround with more light colored decorative accents and a little glitz to bring it into holiday interiors territory. Coral-esque trinkets nod to the shell decor trend and bring a nice contrast of texture to the space also, while the different shapes and subtle lighting adds layers of design interest – for a styled finish that is subtly festive.
10. Brass-off
Luxe up your fireside with brass fireplace accessories that roar with contemporary chateau-chic. Brass evokes effortless bygone glamor and seductive warmth, much more appealing than the traditional and heavy black tools. Go the whole style hog and invest in the full firefighting essentials – fire guard, kindling bucket, log basket and companion set, to benefit from the smoldering molten glow exchange between flickering flames and burnished metallics.
What are the most popular fireplace decorating trends for 2021?
'Garlands, wreaths and swags are experiencing the most dynamic growth, likely to be for mantle and stair styling,' says Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style advisor, Wayfair.