How To Decorate A Summer Mantel: 3 Styles Using The Same Pieces

Hey friends, are you ready to refresh your mantel for summer? I recently updated mine with a few of my favorite decor pieces that I pulled from other areas around the farmhouse.

I actually began with a minimalist look, which is always a challenge for me! I love that stripped-back style in magazines, but at heart, I’m definitely a “more is more” kind of girl. So, I decided to layer in a few more accents and really liked how it was coming along. But you know me—I just couldn’t leave well enough alone! Before I knew it, I had styled a beautifully cozy, maximalist look.

I photographed each stage of the process to show you how to decorate a summer mantel three different ways using the exact same pieces. At the end, I’ll let you help me decide which of the three styles I should stick with for the season! Let me show you how it all began.

Summer Mantel Decor

Here are some of the items I used for my summer mantel refresh. I’ll list them as I added them, then I’ll share step by step how I began with a minimum of pieces (for me) and what the mantel looked like by the end.

• Two decorative faux paperwhite bulbs
• Vintage bunny – similar bunny
• LED Mini Lamps
• Set of 5 Gold Decorative Figs
• Vintage cutting board (small)
• Coffee Table Books – Inspired By Nature and A Home to Share
• Vintage Gold bunny (similar Gold Bunny)
• Oblong Dough Bowl
• Small faux greenery plant
• Handmade Wooden Bowl
• Eucalyptus Garland
• Vintage Brass Candlestick and Battery-Operated Flicker Candle
• Moss Balls/Spheres
• Small Bird Figurine
• Vintage Hurricane Candleholder/Planter – See a similar style hurricane or this style hurricane
• Large Glass Cloche
• Vintage Round Brass Tray – see this similar tray
• LED Lamp with DIY Paper Shade – See LED Lamp Makeover for details

# 1 – Minimalist Summer Mantel

If you love a minimalist decorating style, you might say I have too many items on my mantel, but it’s about as close as I can get. LOL.

I have had this set of gold figs for a couple of years and use them all the time to add a touch of shine to bowls in the kitchen, living room, and more. So I decided to add them to the middle of the mantel on a small vintage cutting board.

I also wanted to use my recently found bunny, so I placed it on a coffee table book for height. Then, I added these slim LED lamps that almost disappear on the mantel, along with a small faux greenery plant, to complete the minimal vignette at one end of the mantel.

At the other end of the mantel, I used two faux paperwhite bulbs as the focal point. I added another coffee table book and the other LED lamp to balance both ends. And because I could stop myself, I placed the small gold bunny next to the paperwhites.

So here is the complete view of the minimalist summer mantel. What do you think? Is it really minimalist? Wait until you see what I did next.

I have to admit, I felt the mantel was a little bare, so I decided to add a dough bowl filled with moss balls and gold figs for a larger, more statement-making centerpiece. I also moved the gold bunny into the bowl along with the fillers.

At either end of the mantel, I made some more adjustments. First, I placed the small cutting board on the coffee table book with the paperwhite bulbs and added a small decorative bird.

You know, I also had to add more to the bunny vignette. My brother gave me one of his handmade wooden bowls, and I love the texture it adds to the mantel. I added a few small moss balls and a couple of the gold figs. I also added a second vintage book for more height.

Although the summer mantel is beginning to fill, it still feels fresh and summery.

#3 – Maximalist Summer Mantel Decorating Ideas

Okay, you know I couldn’t leave it alone! Did you know that maximalist means embracing a “more is more” philosophy? I did not until I looked it up. I’ve always felt that I had a “more is more” decorating style, so I guess I’m a maximalist! And here are the additions I made that turned the mantel into a maximalist cozy style.

First, I kept the simple dough bowl at the center of the mantel. However, I added the two eucalyptus garlands from my spring mantel back. In addition, I switched out the smaller LED lamps for a more dramatic style. This is the one that I upcycled with paint and a fun paper shade. Click to see the full LED lamp makeover.

To create more drama with the paperwhite bulbs, I added them to a vintage hurricane candleholder with a grapevine wreath and moss for a rustic feel. You can see how I made this fun arrangement at Paperwhite and Moss Centerpiece.

Next to the paperwhite arrangement, I added the small bird and moved the handmade bowl with figs to this side of the mantel. Since I took away the small LED lamps, I added a brass candlestick holder and a flickering candle at this end.

The new vintage bunny is elevated by a vintage brass tray and a glass cloche, which add height and drama to the end of the mantel.

As you can see, the mantel is now filled with decor. The added glass pieces create a dramatic feel and reflect light, drawing your attention to the focal points. A touch of gold keeps the centerpiece from getting lost in the garland.

# 4 – Bonus Option for Moderate Decorating Style

I continued to play around with the mantel and created a couple of different vignettes that I consider more moderate than maximalist or minimalist.

With the paperwhites, I added a second small cutting board and the brass candlestick, but eliminated the garland.

I combined the small greenery plant with the wooden bowl next to the vintage bunny to create a fuller vignette.

I only adjusted the ends of the mantel, leaving the center bowl the same. A slightly different moderately deco-styled.