Changing the décor on your mantle for spring is a great way to freshen up your living room for the season and boost your joy. Here are five quick tips that don’t cost much money.
I used to only change up my mantle at Christmas. That meant that for 90 percent of the year, I kept the same group of items up there. On occasion, I’d purchase a pair of candlesticks or a new plant to liven up the display. For the most part, I just ignored it. A space that stays the same for a long time doesn’t really spark my joy.
Hanging art in the same location year after year had the same effect. Those pieces I enjoyed just kind of became invisible to me. After taking down the Christmas decorations this year, I swapped several art pieces around. The switch made me see those paintings and prints with new eyes.
I recently started changing up my mantle for each season because it’s fun to see some of my treasures and a few new items in a different spot.
Here’s how to decorate one of the prime showcase areas in your home without spending a lot of money.
How to decorate your mantle for spring
- Choose a theme and colors: To me, spring says Easter and nature. Decorating for this season makes me think of greens, blues and pretty pastels.
- Use what you have: The big mirror belonged to my great grandmother, and it
stays above my mantle year round. If you like old books or you have candlesticks or a plant in a pretty pot, use them to your advantage. The Fix-It Farmer and I LOVE books. We find it painful to part with any of them. Family members know this and give us old books. This may eventually be a problem, but old books look great on the mantle to elevate small items. I bought my bunny years ago, and I tuck him away in the cupboard when it’s not spring time. - Focus on collections: My grandmother “Momo” – a Texas belle if there ever was one – gave me a number of ceramic birds she collected. Seeing some of the smaller examples on my spring mantle reminds me of her. And they make me smile.
- Find inexpensive fillers: This year, I bought some pastel Easter eggs to go in my glass vase, a chalkboard to display a special message and a plant to go in my blue and white pot. Total spent: $16. The eggs and chalkboard came from Michaels and the plant from Home Depot. I can change the chalkboard’s message for other seasons and use it again.
- Make it meaningful: My chalkboard message for spring says, “He is Risen” because
I believe that Jesus’ resurrection is the exciting news of Easter. I also included a few breakable eggs that produce happy thoughts. The onyx one came from a small town in Utah on our 2016 spring break Great Southwest adventure. My amazing father in-law gave me the hand-painted ceramic egg.
Don’t worry about Pinterest perfection. Instead, find things that remind you of happy times, loved ones and positive messages. Even though this spring mantle wouldn’t make “Better Homes and Gardens,” it brings a smile to my face. And it reminds me to enjoy the new life of spring and the transforming power of Easter.
