I’m so excited to share how to decorate a holiday mantel with a TV! Not only will this strategy save you time and money, it’s a clever way to decorate NOW for fall and easily transition it for the holidays.
How To Decorate Holiday Mantel With TV
We don’t have a fireplace, so my parents graciously let me use theirs for demonstration. Isn’t their home beautiful? I mean what would we ever do without our parents?
Their brick fireplace is the main focus of their living room, with the television centered above it. I initially wanted to decorate a mantel without a TV {they make for much prettier photos}, but we felt this is way more realistic and what real people have in their homes. We also realized a TV adds another set of challenges. So we brought in the experts, TreeTime. Which is my mom and I’s FAVORITE store {and secret spot} for the holidays.
The Largest Christmas Decor Store In Illinois
TreeTime {based in Barrington} is the LARGEST Christmas decor store in Illinois. And it’s straight up magic guys. People drive here from all over the United States with their Uhaul’s just to get their tree, garland and things you can’t even fathom here. They even have the Christmas scarf and hat that Sue, the famous T. Rex, once wore at Chicago’s field museum! Although they carry Christmas decor at all times, they have fall decor out now. They also offer the BEST classes. Some you pay for {where they serve you complimentary holiday cocktails and hors d’oeuvres} and some are FREE. You will learn how to make your home look straight out of a magazine for the holidays. Here’s just a sampling of their classes but be sure to register here.
- Wed Oct 24th: Holiday Centerpiece 6-8 P.M. – $45
- Sat Nov 3rd: Create Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces 2-3 P.M. – FREE!
- Thu Nov 8th: Holiday Mantle / Table Piece 6-8 P.M. – $65
- Sat Nov 10th: Create A Stunning Holiday Mantle 2-3 P.M. – FREE!
- Thu Nov 14th: Holiday Mantle / Table Piece 6-8 P.M. – $65
- Sat Nov 18th: Take Your Christmas Tree To The Next Level 2-3 P.M. – FREE!
It’s All About That Base
To transition your fireplace from fall to holiday as EASY AS POSSIBLE, TreeTime gave us the BEST ADVICE.
Create a strong base using large, neutral pieces. Then accessorize accordingly!
Add a sprig here and a bow there and WALLAH! You’re done. This way you’re not taking stuff down, hauling stuff up and re-creating the wheel for Fall, Thanksgiving AND Christmas. Plus it saves you so much money and you are all set for three months straight.
I couldn’t believe how simple it was. It took six minutes to change the mantel from full-blown Autumn to full on Christmas. And yes, we timed it! All these tips can be applied no matter where you live or what decor you use, but if you want the EXACT items shown here, it’s well worth a visit to the store. You can also shop some of their items online too.
We played around with different heights, textures and colors, and don’t forget to style above and below your fireplace! The floor is just as much fair game as your mantel.
START WITH A NEUTRAL BASE
- Greenery Centerpiece: We used a garland centerpiece that slides right under the TV. And yes! You can use greenery for Fall.
- Candle Bases & White Candles: Choose neutral colors and textures, as well as different heights. We mixed a small and tall birch candle holder with white candles that can easily be dressed up or dressed down.
- Lanterns: The taller the better, as these help draw your eye up and scale nicely next to your fireplace.
DECORATE YOUR MANTEL FOR FALL
- Greenery Centerpiece: Pop in faux leaves, orange ribbon, cotton branches, berries, and more.
- Candle Bases & White Candles: Get creative and think outside the box! TreeTime showed us how to slip a berry napkin ring over a candle to add a pop of color. GENIUS. Even gold twine,
- Lanterns: Add a festive bow or detail. TreeTime created these for us and they will do it for you too! Tip: use the same ribbon and details you used in the greenery for a cohesive look.
- Accessories: The fun part! Sprinkle in glass turkeys, pumpkins or any festive trinkets you have handy. This is what makes your home personal and different.
HOW TO TRANSITION YOUR FIREPLACE TO HOLIDAY
- Greenery Centerpiece: Tuck in cheery red berries, birch branches, flocked twigs, Poinsettias, red ribbon and more
- Candle Bases & White Candles: We left the candles white and simple here! But you could even add a sprig of holly or more berries around the candle bases. Does it get any easier?
- Lanterns: TreeTime once again used the same ribbon, berries and birch branches as the greenery. I love how it all flows together.
- Accessories: Sprinkle in your favorite holiday decor you already own. Whether it be Santas, ornaments or something nostalgic. If you are at a loss, we used red votives for a pop of color and when you light them at night they add extra ambiance.
Now one last look, side by side…
See. I told you it was easy! As you can see, we kept the greenery centerpiece, candle bases, candles and lanterns in the EXACT same spot. It’s just the small touches we made different!
To save even more time next year, save your bows. Once you take the fall accessories down and put the holiday decor up, you’ll realize it’s only a handful of minutes and maybe one storage box max. And if you need some new holiday decor, be sure to check out TreeTime in Barrington! My mom and I discovered it last year and went NUTS. It’s 100% worth the drive and quite the spectacle.
Whew! I think I may need a fall cocktail after sharing all this. I hope you found this as enlightening as I did! I love making the most of what you have and keeping the holidays stress free. Not to mention getting three months out of your decor {versus one}!
A huge thanks to TreeTime for helping us pull this off, letting us borrow some of your decor and sharing all your expertise. We already can’t wait for Christmas!
