The fireplace is often the center of the home. As an obvious focal point, the fireplace is a natural gathering spot and the mantel is a natural place to focus when we plan our decor. But what if you don’t have a fireplace in your home? If you spend time looking at beautiful mantels on Pinterest, you may start to feel a little left out. There’s no shortage of mantel decor ideas for all seasons and holidays, but where do you start if a mantel isn’t part of the equation for you? Luckily, there are plenty of ways to create gorgeous seasonal focal points, and here are 30 mantel alternatives to get you started.
25+ Ideas for Fireplace Mantel Alternatives
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fake fireplace
The most obvious alternative to a real fireplace mantel is a faux fireplace mantel! A faux fireplace has many advantages – the overall look and feel of a real fireplace, added ambiance and warmth, a great focal point for an empty wall, etc. And there are plenty of ways to create one – from an actual built-in fireplace with a chimney and hearth surround, to a simple freestanding fireplace surround, to a faux fireplace made entirely from reclaimed items.
Built-in Industrial Fireplace // Bless’er Home for Renovation Lovers
Simple industrial fireplace frame // Rogue Engineer
Freestanding Fake Fireplace // Ideas from Alice
Antique Fireplace Rescued From Destruction // Antique Revivals
Piano tops
Piano tops are the next best thing to an actual mantel! Pianos are large pieces of furniture that can easily make a statement and attract attention, so it’s only natural to decorate the top. Instead of having a permanent decoration here, you can easily treat it as a mantelpiece for seasonal or holiday decoration. Console pianos can be decorated just as easily as upright pianos, and if you find a piano that’s too damaged to play, consider creating a statement piece of furniture, like a desk!
Top Upright Piano // Naeem Aziz
Piano Shelf // Cottage Magpie
Console Piano // A Year of Strategic Chance
Piano Desktop // Knick of Time
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Don’t miss this post detailing a built-in fake fireplace, from drawing plans, to construction start and final reveal!
You can learn all the secrets of designing a fireplace mantel (or fireplace mantel replacement!) here!
Be sure to check out these posts for shelf decor ideas: Valentine’s Day Shelves, Spring Shelves, Back to School Shelves, Halloween Shelves, Fall Shelves, Thanksgiving Shelves, Christmas Shelves
And these little spring pictures (for fireplaces and tables)!
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