Often times, the most ignored parts of a room are your
mantel and bookshelves. Yes, you’ll put things on them, and use them as a place
to display certain special items, however, their potential is often underrated,
and therefore isn’t utilized to their full potential. In this article, we’ll
talk about different ideas of how you can decorate your bookshelf or mantel,
and give it the pizazz it’s always deserved.
Sum Up The Room’s
Style
One of the best and easiest ways to use your mantel is
utilizing it to help complete the look of your room. Whether it’s adding a
couple small stone statues to each end, or lining it with vases or candles. Let
your mantel help finish telling your room’s story.
Add Functionality
This could be as simple as adding a flat screen TV to the
top of your mantel. Let it be the “star” of the room, and used as the place
that holds the room’s entertainment value. Not only does it look great, but it
also serves an efficient purpose.
Create A Gallery Wall
Use the wall space above your mantel to create a fun and
edgy gallery of some of your favorite pictures or pieces of artwork. This is an
excellent way of personalizing your room, while helping to take up some of that
white space that’s just floating in the room.
Make A Bookcase Pop
With A Textured Background
One of easiest and cheapest ways to give your boring
bookcase a little flare, is by adding a textured background. Besides the
obvious background of wallpaper, you should consider faux wall panels. These
panels can mimic stone, wood, and brick, but are a fraction of the cost. Faux
stone panels for instance, add amazing texture, while giving a natural and bold
look to any bookcase. Plus faux stone panels are great to use up against books,
because they are mold, mildew, and moisture resistant. And as you know, those
three things are a books worst enemy, next to fire of course.
Celebrate The Seasons
This is a fantastic way to utilize either a bookshelf or a
mantel. By decorating it for the season, you can add an element of whimsy and
fun. Plus, you’ll never get board of your decorations because they’re
constantly changing!
Be Slightly Off Center
Don’t be afraid to explore your wild side a little, and
decorate your mantel by hanging frames asymmetrical with your mantel. And then
fill in the rest of the space with tall branches in vases, with some
candlesticks and one or two other smaller items that capture your fancy.
Create A Layered
Effect
Layers can always add a unique and fun twist to any
bookshelf or mantel. Layer frames, vaces with long sticks, standing clocks,
glass lanterns, a large iron gate, and candles for a look that will leave your
guests impressed.
Add A Mirror
Adding a mirror is simple, but can
create an elegant look that is sure to brighten up any mantel. Plus, mirrors
help your space look bigger, and well as capture more light. Two wins for any
living room or bedroom.
Honor Your Home’s
Location
A mantel or bookshelf is the perfect way to display different aspects of what make your home and community so great. Weather this is using items you’ve bought from local mom and pop stores, to making a gallery of the different places in your community. This can be a place where you bring to life the unique features of where you call home. And by adding in pieces of the place that makes you who you are, is a sure way to instantly make your mantel or bookshelf your home’s crowning glory.