My Fall Mantel - How I hide the wires.

I always felt the need to put up some lighting on my fireplace mantel.  However, I didn't want to drill into the wood and add sconces.  Plus, I love the idea of being able to trade out the lighting seasonally.  I really enjoy decorating my mantle for the fall!

How to add lighting to a fall fireplace mantel.

It's funny, but when people see my mantel, they either assume that the lamps are wired into it somehow, or they try to figure out how I get the lamps to work. I love those lamps! I fell in love with mercury glass a few years ago while watching HGTV. It's so sparkly but rustic. How could you not love it?  Since then, I've had those lamps on my mantel, even when I change the mantle decor for different seasons.

Hiding wires on a mantel

As for the lamp wires, I actually hide the wires well : )!  Spend a minute with me, and I'll show you how.

There are lots of wires on the mantel.  They are from the two lamps and an extension cord I need to reach the furthest lamp.

I usually place a print or mirror in the middle of my mantel.  It gives me some height.  And it is an instant cover-up for most bulky wires!

Once I've placed the mirror in the center, it's not nearly as nasty of a wire mess!  But still needs some work.   Last year I bought a moss-covered rope thingy.  I don't know what I originally wanted to do with it, but I ended up using it for my mantle.  It does an awesome job adding some green and covering up most of the wires.

Then I usually also have a seasonal garland.  It adds the splash of seasonal color that I love.

Decorating my fall mantel

And, of course, you need to arrange the garland so that some of it hangs down.  Oh, and take the tags off (or your type 'A' friend will do it for you when she comes over!).

I love the colors!

And, if you didn't notice, I also added the odd extra pine cone.  Just to fill in some spaces where the wires might be peaking out!

And, of course, I added my mercury glass pumpkins that I've collected over the last couple of years.  Sparkly!!

Oh, and one very important thing a decor guideline is always to have the taller objects left.  An important design principle of some sort : ).  Also, don't be afraid to repurpose things.   The two glass pumpkins on either side of the mirror were lost just sitting on the mantle.  I just elevated them using some candle pillar holders.   Now they get the attention they deserve!

Looking for some more fall ideas for mantles?

Check out the post I did last year showing both my mantel and that of my friend Mary (who has the twin house to mine)

Fall Decor - Inside our Twin Homes

Or, another home that is totally decked out for the fall!  More of a Halloween theme.

Happy Halloween Decor

Need a quick fall snack since you've been so busy with fall decorating?
Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope I've given you a couple of ideas.

**Originally published Sept. 17, 2014