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Decor & DIY

One Room Spring Home Tour – Our Frugally Decorated Spring Mantel

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Welcome to our One Room Spring Home Tour! I am excited to be joining together with four other awesome bloggers to show you how we have decorated one room in our homes for Spring. My original intent was to share our multi-purpose family room. But after a camera fail which resulted in some very dark photos, I decided to only share our mantel. 

Spring Mantel Reveal 2015

The one fun thing about having a large fireplace mantel is the ability to change out the decorations seasonally or just whenever inspiration hits. Here are some things I do when I am decorating the fireplace mantel:

  • I like to find fun and frugal ways to decorate the space without spending much or spending none, at all. Most times, you can find me rounding up a bunch of items around the home to create the look. It’s kind of like anything goes. But I have found though, that while you could pretty much decorate a mantel with any kind of favorite things, it does take some thought of where the items should be placed.

spring mantel reveal

  • White, bright, and lighter colors are my favorites to contrast the darker tones of the fireplace.
  • I start with a large statement piece to place in the middle. This time, I decided to start with a large DIY vintage decorative clock as my focal item (tutorial to come soon). Let’s just hope the numbers were placed in the correct order. Ah, those Roman numerals that we learned way back in high-school!! So glad the internet comes in handy:)

Spring mantel clock DIY

It has taken me a little while to figure out what I wanted to use as a main focal object. In the past, I rotated with mirrors, wreaths, chalkboards, large pieces of wall art or large family photos. While I would love to have a cool looking mirror sort of as a permanent piece that could stay for a while, I decided to skip that option for now. One reason being that I still have not found the perfect piece to my liking. Another reason is that I have two mirrors on the walls adjacent to the mantle already.  You can get a glimpse of one of the mirrors on the wall to the right.

spring mantel reveal new

And a third reason for me not yet settling on a cool mirror for the mantel is that hubby thinks a large old fashion mantle clock like this would look lovely. But those things cost an arm and a leg. One time we were out shopping and could not believe the price of a little clock that sits on the mantel. We figured that if a small one cost so much then a large one would be twice as much. Like they say, “ain’t nobody got money for that!”

So this DIY clock will suffice for now. After all, I already had the base for it and could not figure what to do with it. Then one day, it occurred that I should try my hand at making a big ‘ole’ clock. We truly love how it turned out! It was very easy to make and it adds a bit of a character and personality to the mantel.

  • Once I find my focal item, I then add a bunch off items I have on hand to fill the space. Notice that I used items with varying heights and shapes. And that they all have a sort of rustic look to them (truly not intended). 

spring mantel items

I used two re-purposed spray painted mason jars with with cheap flowers from the Dollar tree that I had already. We are still getting snow and hail here so no spring blooms yet. For now, fake is it!!

spring mantel with DIY clock

On the far ends of the mantel, I added pedestal candle stands in two different heights. I have had those candle stands from Big Lots for a while now. They used to be black but I redid them in chippy white sometime last year.

Spring mantel candles

I also used a metal watering can I bought at Target dollar spot earlier last year, I believe. And added some IKEA faux flowers in it. Spray paint and just a tad bit of antiquing wax gave it its look.

Spring mantel (2)

Another re-purposed item on the mantel is this bunch of flowers here on the left. I purchased it from Hobby Lobby, earlier last year, for our baby’s nursery. I decided to bring it out since he is growing so big and may need a room redo. The white vase is from At Home stores – I purchased it a while ago, too. This time around, I did not do layering but that is always such an elegant option. Frames of different sizes are great for layering. 

spring mantel reveal

Now that you’ve seen the top of the fireplace mantel and how it’s frugally decorated for Spring, I also wanted to show you my simple decor at the bottom of the fireplace.

  • When choosing items for the bottom of the fireplace, bigger items tend to be my friend. Depending on the season of the year, I will use items such as a good-sized plant (real or fake), large jars, a large piece of art, an old stack of books or magazines, a basket of fireplace wood, a basket with blankets, or just any kind of large enough item(s) to fill the spaces.

spring mantel with flowers

So on the left, sits a simple basket with magazines. I have about 2 to 3 more baskets with magazines. Confession – I am a magazine hoarder! I tend to keep the old ones around for inspiration. But it looks like the ones pictured here are some of my most recent ones. Oh, and I never really pay full price for subscription either. I usually find some free sign-up on line or free subscription with a store purchase of grocery or other items.

Spring tour basket

To the right bottom of the fireplace, I added a real plant that was recently gifted to us. Did you notice it is sitting on a stack of magazines? I told you I loved old magazines!! The plant was in the basket to the left along with some flowers and other stuff. The rustic can it is in now was a purchase I made earlier this year for a little under $5. I found it at Ross Stores. If you are interested, you can read about our Spring and Easter shelf display with this rustic can here.

spring mantel plant

And of course, I always love to show the mantel in full before closing off. The shot may not be the best because of the lighting but you can see how gigantic it looks!! Our one year old decided to use the gate as a tool to add some crayon marks. I started to scrub it off for the photo but then I thought, “kids live here”. Just saying!

spring mantel in full

I love decorating our fireplace mantel and I hope you enjoyed seeing how I decorate it frugally. When all else fail, family photos are always a great option to display on a mantel. You can find another of my Spring mantel here.

Don’t forget to stop by and check out the beautiful rooms in the tour today to see how these other ladies decorate their spaces. They would love to have you for a visit!

One Room Spring Home Tour

Madison – Corner52

Lora – Craftivity Designs

Shaina – Married to Restoration

Lauren – Lovely Decor

Do you do have a mantel that you love to decorate? Do you tend to go frugal? I would love to know of your ideas in the comments!

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28 thoughts on “One Room Spring Home Tour – Our Frugally Decorated Spring Mantel

  1. The clock is GORGEOUS. It makes a great impact. I’ve had an unfinished one of those in our garage forever and you may have just motivated me to finally pull it out and paint it. Can’t wait to see the tutorial. Oh — and one can never have too many copies of Better Homes and Gardens ๐Ÿ˜‰

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  2. I’m in love with your DIY clock. I love the look of it and it adds such an old world charm to your mantle. Your mantle and fireplace area looks so warm and inviting. Think I’ll come on over. ๐Ÿ™‚ So pretty!

  3. Very cool, you did an awesome job. I love Hobby Lobby for home items. I can literally stay in there for hours. I love the clock you have I think it brings the entire look together.

  4. Lovely mantle Zan, it looks great! I love all the white and that DIY clock is awesome, great job on that one!! Haha confession I thought it was real. Ps I am a mason jar lover so I especially love all the jars on the mantle & fireplace.

    I try to decorate as frugally as possible but sometimes I do splurge a bit. I always start with what I have at home then go from there (especially if I’m in a pinch)

    1. LOL! So funny that you thought the clock was real. It was such an easy DIY. For the rest of the items, I always start with what I have on hand, too. I will only buy something if I feel that I absolutely need it (or rather, want it).

  5. beautiful! I’m waiting for us to get some serious bookshelves so that I can do a bit of pretty decorating – as it is I’m pretty limited! I recently got given a gorgeous square doily and added it to my one ‘pretty’ table and it made such a difference! Softens the whole look. =)

  6. My Momma named me Shirley Ann but I should have my middle name changed to ‘Frugal’. You and I are a kindred spirit with it comes to shopping frugal. You have named all my favorite stores! I just walked in the door from Big Lots! Lol.
    You mantle looks so pretty for the spring season. I love all the whites and shabby chic look you’ve created.Your clock is awesome!

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