Summer is the best excuse to shake things up at home. The mantel? That’s the spot to start.
Bright colors, breezy textures, and a few playful touches can make the whole place feel lighter. It’s wild how a small change there can lift the whole room.
Whether your style is coastal, farmhouse, Boho, or modern, this guide offers creative inspiration to transform your fireplace mantel into a summer-ready focal point.
With helpful styling tips and easy-to-follow suggestions, you’ll be ready to create a beautiful, eye-catching mantel display that celebrates the best of summer. Read on to get inspired!
Lanterns Filled With Seashells
Lanterns stuffed with seashells? Yes, please. The soft shapes and colors bring the beach right into the living room. Starfish, driftwood, even little glass bottles — pile them in.
Mini Sailboats
Mini sailboats make the whole mantel feel like a breezy day by the water. Group a few in different sizes, and it’s instantly playful. They look awesome with white candles, seashells, or jars of sand.
Striped and Gingham Fabric Pennants
String up some striped or gingham pennants and you’ve got instant summer charm. Mix pastels — baby blue, soft pink, soft yellow — for a playful, cottage-y feel. The fabric texture just softens everything.
Lush Green Wreath
Bring the freshness of the outdoors inside with a large, leafy green wreath that instantly adds summer charm to your mantel.
Paired with a wooden mantel adorned in matching greenery, it’s a simple yet stunning seasonal statement! Maybe add some yellow lilies or a few pink blooms for a pop of color.
Whitewashed Window Frame Backdrop
A whitewashed window frame as a backdrop just screams summer farmhouse. Layer in seashells, starfish, white branches, and pillar candles for extra charm.
Driftwood Pieces
Create a breezy coastal vibe with a summer mantel featuring white candles, seashells, driftwood, and sprigs. Add height and reflection with a large mirror and tall driftwood accents for a fresh, beachy touch!
Oversized Mirrors
Oversized mirrors above the mantel bounce light everywhere. Go classic round or pick a framed style that fits your vibe. Suddenly, the room feels bigger and brighter. Can’t argue with that.
Colorful Coral
Colorful coral figurines are an easy way to bring a burst of summer charm to the mantel. They can come in pinks, oranges, reds, blues, and purples — instantly calling up memories of sunny beach days.
Mixing up sizes and shapes keeps it playful and gives off tropical, happy vibes.
Botanical Prints in Wooden Frames
Botanical prints in vintage frames are an easy way to bring nature indoors. There’s something soft and a bit romantic about wildflower or leafy prints in old wooden frames.
Pick up a few at a thrift shop or online, and suddenly the mantel feels curated and cozy. Mix in a few seashells and greenery in small planters for variety.
Mini Chalkboard
Mini chalkboards are just plain fun. Go for phrases like “Sunshine on my mind” or “Good vibes only” to keep things light and easy.
Doodle a sunburst or a beach wave around the words for extra flair. Swapping out the messages every week keeps things feeling fresh and full of personality.
Seashell Wreath With Burlap Bow
Give your summer mantel a splash of beachy personality with a seashell wreath and a sweet burlap bow. Gather a mix of shells, then glue them around a foam or twig wreath wrapped in burlap ribbon.
Once the shells are set, add a charming burlap bow for a dash of rustic charm. It’s a pretty, coastal touch that brings out breezy summer vibes.
Rustic Driftwood Picture Ledge
Bring a relaxed, seaside feel to your space with a driftwood mantel styled with potted succulents, glass jars of sand, and seashells. Finish the look with a framed beach photo for that perfect coastal summer vibe!
Coastal-themed candle lanterns
Bring breezy beach vibes to your summer mantel with seashells, starfish, and glowing candles that set a relaxed coastal mood.
Add a pair of lanterns with candles inside to complete the sunny, seaside-inspired look!
Bright Sunflower Wreath
Brighten up your mantel for summer with a cheerful sunflower wreath surrounded by lush green leaves for a burst of sunshine.
Add candles, seashells, and vases of fresh white flowers to keep the look light, breezy, and full of charm!
Lanterns With Battery-Operated Candles
Metal lanterns with battery-operated candles bring a gentle, welcoming glow — no matches needed. Surround with seashells and artificial moss for a lush, beachy look.
Coral Candles
Add soft summer charm to your mantel with pastel coral and white candles shaped like coral glowing gently among fresh green foliage.
Sprinkle in white and pink flowers and let the natural light from nearby windows make everything feel bright and inviting!
Burlap and Lace Runner
Give your mantel a sweet summer makeover with a burlap runner edged in lace, glowing candles, and cheerful vases of yellow and white flowers.
Top it off with framed photos and a round mirror wrapped in a lush greenery wreath for a fresh, sunny vibe!
Sunflowers and Seashells
Brighten up your mantel for summer with sunny sunflowers, cheerful daisies, lush greenery, seashells, and glowing candles for a breezy, fresh look.
Add a basket of lemons next to the fireplace to make the whole space feel warm, zesty, and inviting!