In this post, we’ll take a look at twenty of the most beautiful Thanksgiving mantel ideas that you can copy to infuse your home with cozy fall feels.
Published: 8/24/24
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Of the four major holidays in fall and winter, I feel like Thanksgiving is the one that gets looked over the most.
I absolutely love Thanksgiving and wish that it got the attention it deserves!
Everyone goes all out decorating for Halloween, then again for Christmas, but I feel people forget that Thanksgiving has some unique and beautiful decor opportunities as well.
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year or just looking to make your house feel a little more festive for this family holiday, you’ll love these Thanksgiving mantel ideas.
There’s inspiration for the DIY friendly families, those looking to save time and money by decorating for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and ideas for the crafty mom who loves to go ALL OUT with her seasonal decor.
So keep scrolling for a little bit of everything and I hope you get inspired to design the harvest mantelpiece of your dreams in your own home this fall!
20 Festive Thanksgiving Mantel Ideas
1. Hint of Christmas
Credit: @a.little.love.designs
There are a lot of reasons why people tend to skip over decorating for Thanksgiving and go straight to Christmas.
But it doesn’t have to be a one or the other situation! Instead, merge the two to create a festive style of your own.
I love how the homeowner above has blended red and green foliage underneath pumpkins and gourds to create the perfect fall to winter display.
2. Thanksgiving Dish Sets
Credit: @amymaisondecor
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again- it’s time to bring back china! I loved using our china sets on the holidays as a kid and want to share that with my children as well.
Whether you use your dishware for the actual dinner, or place it on the mantel to create a stunning and elegant display, you can’t go wrong.
I love how unique yet simple this Thanksgiving mantel decor is and can’t wait to recreate something similar in my own home.
3. Sustainable Foraged Decor
Credit: @junktales
If you want to decorate for the holidays but find yourself on a budget this year, look no further than your own backyard for decor!
Forage for autumn leaves, pinecones, acorns, and all kinds of other small treasures to create a custom garland for your mantel.
Not only will it save you money, but this could become a fun family tradition to recreate every year.
4. Natural Textures
Credit: @citygirlonthefarm
Decorating with natural textures and materials will bring all of that lovely rustic and country charm to your mantel that looks so good in the fall.
These braided straw pumpkins are gorgeous, especially when paired with wood bead garland and autumn leaves.
Decorating with natural materials guarantees that all of your decor will coordinate because natural textures layer so well.
5. Color Grading
Credit: @the_ct_colonial
When I say I’m obsessed with this grand mantel garland piece, that would be the understatement of the century.
It would be such a fun project to recreate this piece by shopping individual artificial bouquet pieces from your local Michael’s or other craft store.
Don’t shy away from bright colors for fall. Blend them naturally using this color grading technique for a highly elevated look.
6. Harvest Bottleneck Trees
Credit: @farmhouse1873
Bottleneck trees don’t have to be solely Christmas decor! Purchasing them in other colors makes them much more versatile for the changing seasons.
Buy them in autumn colors, then place in any kind of unique mug or container to upgrade your display.
The best part about this Thanksgiving mantel decor is you could put it up as early as September and leave up through Christmas!
7. Pie Slice Tenant Flags
Credit: @farmhouseinthefield
How adorable is this tenant flag garden decorated to look like pumpkin and apple pie slices?
I can’t think of a better way to decorate for you Thanksgiving dinner!
This would make the perfect DIY craft with the family and you could create any flavor of pie that you love most.
8. Pretty Blues and Creams
Credit: @simpleinspirationsathome
Though Thanksgiving mantel decor is typically a hue of autumn and harvest colors, that doesn’t have to be a hard and fast rule.
If you want your mantel decor to coordinate better with the color scheme of your home, then don’t be afraid to branch out with your colors.
The best way to make this alternative style work is to find harvest and Thanksgiving themed pieces like this acorn and pinecone garland in the color scheme of your choice.
9. Give Thanks Reminder
Credit: @acottagegirl
It’s important to hold on to the reason for the season and what better way to do so than with your decor?
Hanging a “give thanks” banner along your mantel is the perfect reminder to stay thankful and it also happens to be beautiful!
I love the look of layered garlands and banners along a fireplace to add texture and visual interest.
10. Golden Turkey Figurine
Credit: @stonecottage2250
Some people think that turkeys aren’t an attractive bird, but this stunning golden figurine says differently.
Make the bird of the hour the bird of the mantel by creating a turkey focal point.
Bonus points if you coordinate your mantel decor with your dinner table decor by creating a similar vignette around the turkey.
11. Pink Themed Pumpkins
Credit: @happydaysfarm
Make your Thanksgiving mantel decor pretty in pink with these gorgeous blush colored pumpkins and matching flowers.
I’m all for a good monochromatic moment no matter what the holiday is.
If you have a favorite color, then don’t waste time buying seasonal decor that doesn’t get you excited. Just by the seasonal decor in pink!
12. Minimalist and Subtle
Credit: @maxsinsteden
Not everyone is into going all out with their seasonal decor. It can be hard to justify the expense when you know it’s only going to be seen for such a short period of time.
Instead, you can opt for something a little more subtle that can be left up or much longer periods of time.
This decorative vase filled with sprawling autumn branches is the perfect way to bring subtle touch of autumn to your mantel.
13. Oversized Fall Foliage
Credit: @thecottagescribe
One of the most classic and beautiful ways to adorn your mantelpiece is with a garland of oversized seasonal foliage.
It’s incredible easy to put up, it’s just one piece so it keeps things simple, but it’s stunning and makes a statement every time.
If you want to spruce up your garland, place pumpkins or amber vases in and throughout the leaves for a rustic look.
14. Pumpkin Patch Signs
Credit: @eventfullychelsea
Farmhouse signs stay popular every year for a reason, and it’s because they’re an adorable and affordable way to decorate you home.
For a Thanksgiving mantel piece, look for signs that are fall themed like this Autumn Acres pumpkin patch sign in the photo above.
This will bring the perfect amount of country charm to your living room and all you had to do was prop up a sign!
15. Classic Cornucopia
Credit: @edgewoodfarmhouse
I love using cornucopias for my Thanksgiving decor because their classic shape is instantly nostalgic for me.
It’s more unique than a regular basket, but can be used in a similar way when creating a focal point on your mantel.
Fill the inside with all kinds of accessories like seasonal fruits and vegetables to add color and texture to your display.
16. Wood Bead Garland
Credit: @antiquefarmhouse
Like I said earlier, I absolutely love layering garlands on my mantelpiece to add depth to my decor.
One of my favorite layering pieces is wood bead garland with beads in the color scheme of your desired holiday.
These strands add the perfect amount of texture to your garland layers and can be used to tie in the colors of Thanksgiving if you’re looking to add a colorful pop.
17. Grand Candle Holders
Credit: @suzannezinggstyle
For those with an elegant and sophisticated palette for interior design, you may shy away from the bright fall colors and piles of pumpkins.
Opt for something incredibly timeless instead like this overflowing harvest foliage topped with stunning statement candles.
Look for candleholders in warm metallic colors like gold and bronze then top with white votive candles of all sizes to recreate this festive look.
18. Foliage Bouquets
Credit: @sugarandcloth
The perfect way to add texture and excitement to your Thanksgiving mantel decor is with these little bouquets of dried florals.
Whether you’re placing the bouquets in a vase to add some vertical height to your display or bundling little tufts to outline a mirror or painting.
These add so much texture and warmth to any space but look particularly stunning when lining a fireplace mantel in the fall.
19. Angular Branches
Credit: @the_ct_colonial
For those unafraid to be bold in their seasonal decor, take a look at this absolutely gorgeous floral piece.
I could take forever about the rich oranges and blues throughout this piece, but what really makes it unique are the branches peaking out at all angles.
This is the kind of thing I would never think to create myself, but once I saw this picture I couldn’t stop thinking about the incredible statement these angular branches create.
20. Textured Fall Wreath
Credit: @frenchcountrycottage
Who said wreaths only have to be for front doors? As a chronic wreath fan, I think they belong throughout the entire house.
There’s just something so timeless about a wreath meticulously threaded with seasonal foliage.
You can only add so much to your mantel itself, but sometimes nothing will make your fireplace look better than a wreath hung just above your mantelpiece.
