9 Fixer Upper Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas You Can Create on a Budget

Here are 9 Fixer Upper fireplace mantel decor ideas you can create on a budget…which will you choose? Fireplace mantel decor is always such a great way to spruce up your home quickly!

A few years ago when we remodeled our living room, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with our fireplace mantel decor.

Looking for a frugal fix as usual, I was pretty sure paint was in our near future.  I just couldn’t decide exactly what color to choose or how I would decorate it once the update was complete.  So it was time for a little inspirational research on the best way to spruce up our fireplace mantel decor.

When in need of some modern farmhouse inspiration, look no further than my favorite dynamic duo – Chip and Joanna Gaines 🙂

Seriously, is anyone else as addicted to Fixer Upper as me?!

How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel

An easy way to check to see if your fireplace mantel decor is headed in the right direction and a great way to find inspiration, is to take a peek at this great diy fireplace mantel picture below. 

I love how it goes through the steps of what you should look for and designs you should focus on.

A similar diy fireplace mantel picture above shows you another way to think about what you should focus on for fireplace mantel decor. It’s a simple way to figure out your focal point and what you should be thinking about to fill the space around it!

Fixer Upper Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas

Here are my favorite Fixer Upper fireplace mantels you can create on a budget.

These are some great fireplace mantel decor ideas that really caught my eye, so I thought I’d share what I found.  I searched high and low for decor similar to what was used…like 2 days straight!  

To hopefully save you some time, I linked to all of the elements I found for each fireplace mantel idea below.

If you would like to take a look at my favorite farmhouse decor finds you can see them here.

While I did look for the best deals on everything, some items are just more expensive than I would like.  But keep in mind, almost everything in the ideas below can be found super cheap at yard sales or antique shops since the majority of farmhouse decorating is based on vintage items like reclaimed wood, brick and stone.  You can also use fresh flowers and greens instead of purchasing artificial plants 😉

Create this mantel: Magnolia Wreath | Window Frame | Candle Holder Set | Vintage Books | Birch Logs

I just love this bright and fresh fireplace mantel decor. The entire living room feels light and airy with the white brick fireplace. Simple fireplace mantel decor draws the eye to the focal point of the room with rustic finds and tall candlesticks. I just love this!

Create this mantel: Vase Holder and Vases | Floral Stems | Vintage Books | Taper Candle Holders | Basket | Birch Logs | Planter

A wood fireplace mantel contrasts beautifully on this white brick fireplace! The actual fireplace mantel decor is simple, yet invokes an elegant feel to the entire living room!

Create this mantel: Frames | Artwork | Floral Stems | Taper Candle Holders

Rustic fireplace mantels are probably one of my favorites, and this solid wood fireplace mantel doesn’t disappoint! I love the reclaimed wood that was used, along with simply using pictures and candle holders to finalize the fireplace mantel decor.

Create this mantel: Vintage Books | Planter Frame | Glass Bottle Vases | Floral Stems | Candle Holders

An all white living room needs a little pop of color when you’re looking for fireplace mantel decor! While I might personally opt for some colored candles, I love the simple focal point that was created by adding the plants above the fireplace mantel.

Create this mantel: Frame | Vintage Books | Basket | Birch Logs | Vases | Greenery

White, simple and classic are the core concept of this fireplace mantel decor. Simple books, along with greenery in rustic vases, complete the look on the fireplace mantle. I also just love the large, classic vintage frame that creates the perfect focal point in the living room!

Create this mantel: Metal Sign | Vintage Books | Faux Grass Plant | Birch Logs | Basket

Clean, classic and simple are the key concepts in this diy fireplace mantel! A large, wood fireplace mantel is easily the focal point and is a beautiful mantel shelf! Fireplace mantel decor includes simple designs, with a great metal sign that serves as the main item for the fireplace mantel.

Create this mantel: Pull Down Chart | Vintage Books | Vases | Floral Stems

The stone on this gorgeous fireplace surround is stunning, but the reclaimed wood steals the show! This rustic fireplace mantel is absolutely everything, which means you don’t want to overwhelm the natural beauty with too much fireplace mantel decor. I love how simple white flowers are used to soften up the stone facade. Incredible!

Create this mantel: Wood & Metal Wall Decor | Magnolia Wreath | Candle Holders

Another rustic fireplace mantel gives me all the feels in what can easily be a diy fireplace mantel. I love the greenery, along with the white candles and white vintage window frame, that completes the fireplace mantel. It is a beautiful way to complement the dark reclaimed wood that was used. And of course, birch logs were used to accent the fireplace and brighten it up too.

Create this mantel: Maps | Vintage Books | Birch Logs | Candle Holders | Bucket

I just love the uniqueness of this fireplace mantel decor – blueprints of your home!  Maps of your local area or favorite destination could also be used and would create the same great effect.  All that’s needed are a few additional simple accents like thin candlesticks and vintage books to make sure your focal point remains the star of the show.

After looking through all these beautiful fireplace mantel decor options, I think I now know exactly what I would like to do for our decor.

For the actual update of our fireplace we’ll be painting the brick cream, adding a medium stained wood mantle, and giving our wood-burning insert a fresh coat of black heat-resistant paint to cover the scratches and get rid of the dated brass accents.

We haven’t started it yet, but I’ll be sure to share our update our diy fireplace mantel here once it’s complete 😉

As for the decor, I LOVE the last fireplace mantel idea above since we are lucky enough to actually have the original blueprints of our home.  My plan is to create a blueprint collage and mix it with the second mantel in this post since our fireplace is pretty big and will need a little extra something so it doesn’t look empty.

So which Fixer Upper fireplace mantel decor idea stole your heart?  I would LOVE to see your finished fireplace mantel in the comments below!

You can find all of the fireplace photos in this post and many more in the HGTV Fixer Upper photo library.

On top of all of these amazing Fixer Upper fireplace mantel decor ideas, I always love to keep my mind open for holiday fireplace mantels, as well! Between Frightfully Fabulous Halloween fireplace mantel decor and Amazing Christmas fireplace mantel ideas, I’m ready to roll, no matter what time of the year it is! 🙂

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> 10 Fabulous Fireplace Mantel Ideas for Summer

> 10 Great Fall Fireplace Mantel Ideas

> 8 Frugal Front Porch Decorating Ideas

> 10 DIY Pallet Decorating Ideas