A simple Christmas mantel in green and navy can be beautifully festive with mostly things you already own. I’m excited to show how a few familiar pieces come together for an elegant, low-effort holiday look.
After years of completely changing my mantel every season, I’ve finally settled on a strategy that lets me refresh the look without starting from scratch. By keeping a few permanent or semi-permanent anchor pieces, it’s easy to swap seasonal accents and still end up with a fresh, cohesive display.
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My favorite anchors are the large mirror and the decorative shutters. I loved the mirror all summer and added the shutters for fall—now they’re a perfect backdrop for Christmas decor too. If you choose a strong anchor piece to keep year-round, you can change the mood of the mantel with just a few seasonal additions.
Starting with an anchor makes the whole process less intimidating. A mirror or artwork narrows the palette and scale, so adding garlands, ornaments, and pillows becomes a matter of tweaking rather than reinventing.
This approach works if you have a TV above the mantel, too. A TV can feel like a large, dominant element, but treating it as an anchor helps you design around it—layer art, hang wreaths, or flank with symmetrical decor so the screen becomes part of the composition rather than its obstacle.
On a personal note, this is the last time I’ll decorate this particular mantel before we move. My new mantel will be more ornate, and yes—our TV will likely be above it. It’s a little bittersweet but also exciting to plan a new setup and try fresh ideas for styling around a television.
If you’re wondering how to make a TV and mantel look harmonious, I’ve written about that decorating dilemma before. The basics are the same: choose focal pieces, layer thoughtfully, and keep scale in mind so each element contributes to a balanced whole.
This season I layered a pretty snowy canvas over the mirror for a soft, wintry focal point. I kept the rest of the display simple: oversized wooden star ornaments, a few small wreaths saved from last year, and a bell ornament to add texture and a hint of metallic shine—classic details that don’t compete with the mirror’s reflection.
The chairs beside the mantel get a mix of old and new pillows in navy and green tones. I try to select holiday pieces that can double as winter decor to extend their usefulness beyond December. A couple of velvet pillows and a chunky sweater-style pillow add warm texture and make the seating area feel cozy without looking overly seasonal.
I especially love the velvet pillows; they read expensive and add depth to the color story. The chunky knit pillow is a winter staple that pairs perfectly with greens and navy. One bright embroidered tree pillow is purely seasonal and will be saved for next year, but the overall mix keeps the space feeling fresh and layered.
The mantel garland is faux greenery I’ve used for years. Adding tiny twinkly string lights brings a warm glow and a bit of magic in the evenings. Small, inexpensive lights make a big visual impact and are an easy way to elevate faux garlands.
The chunky cable knit stockings are one of the few distinctly Christmas items on the mantel, and they’re from last year’s decor. They still feel timeless and work well with the neutral-and-colored balance of the rest of the vignette.
I’ll share a closer look at this year’s Christmas tree later in the week, but here’s a small sneak peek: a flocked tree with ornaments that echo the mantel’s green and navy palette for a coordinated holiday feel.
If you’re in the U.S., have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy a warm meal and time with family and friends. Decorating should joyfully reflect the season, not stress you out—so keep it simple, choose anchors, and let a few well-placed accents do the work.
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- Primary Bedroom Christmas Decor
- 7+ Ways to Decorate with Christmas Ribbon {Sources & Ideas}
- How to Decorate the Kitchen for Christmas