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Our favorite Halloween mantel decor ideas that you’ll love

Try these spooky fireplace mantel ideas this year

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kids wearing ghost halloween costumes in decorated living room
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One of the best places to decorate for Halloween is your fireplace. The fireplace is often a central or focal point of your living space and holds a lot of visual weight. Spruce up your mantel this year with these fantastic Halloween mantel decor ideas that are sure to help you find a renewed enthusiasm for the spooky season.

Do something classic

fall foliage on fireplace mantel
Mariia Smeshkova / Shutterstock

You can never go wrong with some classic Halloween decor ideas. Try these timeless setups for your fireplace mantel this year.

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Use candelabras as candlesticks

Candles offer a luxe yet spooky vibe to any home. Adding some candles to your setup is a quick and effective way to decorate your fireplace mantel this fall. Visit your local antique or thrift store for vintage candelabras or candle holders. You can also order more modern designs online or from your local retail store.

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Be sure to purchase some fun candles and arrange them at different heights for a layered look by using a variety of holders or by stacking the candle ensembles on top of vintage books. You might also consider purchasing candlesticks in fun colors like orange or black for a stunning Halloween aesthetic.

Opt for the classic pumpkins spilling out of the fireplace

If you’ve been on Pinterest or Instagram during the fall, chances are you’ve come across the classic pumpkin fireplace design. Head to your local pumpkin patch and purchase a dozen or more pumpkins in various sizes.

Start by clearing out your fireplace and adding your largest pumpkins first. Use smaller pumpkins to support the bigger ones and tip them at odd angles. Fill in the space with miniature or small pumpkins to create the effect of the gourds tumbling out of the fireplace.

Go for something simple

halloween decorations in room with fireplace
Aquarius Studio / Shutterstock

If you’re more of a minimalist, you may want to consider trying out these simple ideas for your Halloween mantel decor.

Add vintage picture frames and spooky portraits

You can use old picture frames to adorn your space. Print out photos of Halloween themes or spooky portraits of ghosts to frame and add to the mantel. Once again, you’ll want to layer up by placing larger frames in the back and smaller frames in the front to create a more visually intricate design.

Use a variety of materials and frame designs for the best look. You can also try antiquing new frames by adding a coat of paint and scraping the sides with sandpaper for a worn look.

Put a cauldron in the fireplace

Depending on where you source your cauldron and its material, you can make this design idea as complex and luxe or as simple and affordable as you want. Buy a plastic decor cauldron and fill it with Halloween string lights and faux cobwebs. Just make sure that you use fire-safe lights and read package instructions before using.

Alternatively, get a vintage cauldron and add a fresh coat of paint. Decorate with faux webbing, pumpkins, a witch’s broom, and any other Halloween decor that suits your tastes. For party hosts, you might consider adding a couple of bags of candy to your cauldron for a fun treat station.

Try a unique take

halloween pumpkins and broom by wood wall
Thirdman / Pexels

Do you want something more unique for your Halloween mantel design? Try these ideas.

Create a haunted mini library

Source or DIY some vintage books that look as if they could be a book of spells. Paint over titles on the spines or use paper to cover them. Rename them phrases like Spell Book, Charms, or Grimoire. Be sure to add plenty of trinkets alongside your mini haunted library to add more depth and dimension.

A fake skull can make for a brilliant bookend. Use candlesticks and candelabras for soft library lighting. Also, add a mirror or a vase of Halloween foliage for a more eclectic look.

Design an apothecary aesthetic that’s unique and witchy

The witch aesthetic is very popular this year. Lean into the trend by curating an apothecary aesthetic on your mantel. Place a spice rack or shelf on your mantel and add small jars of herbs or bottles with glycerin labeled “Potions.”

Add glass vases and jars filled with oddities like faux spiders or other Halloween decor. You can also make the space spookier by adding faux webbing for a creepy look. Hang dried herbs, add fall foliage, stack a few vintage tomes, and be sure to add some classic apothecary signs to tie it all together.

Your fireplace mantle is the center of your living space and creates a focal point in your room. Use it this Halloween to create the ideal spooky aesthetic that helps ground your space and add some seasonal flair to your home.

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Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson
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Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
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