Close your eyes and picture the coziest, most welcoming living room you can
imagine. There’s a soft glow, a comfortable seating area, and of course, a
traditional fireplace with a crackling fire - the perfect focal point of
your living room.
That cozy picture is exactly what I wanted to create in our own traditional
living room. But when I looked at my pared-back summer mantel, it felt more
bare than inviting. Fall is the perfect time for change, so I decided to
give the fireplace mantel a refresh, starting with a few key decor items
from Wayfair Canada.
Don’t worry, though: this isn’t about filling every inch with pumpkins or
harsh orange tones. Instead, I focused on layering texture, introducing a
pop of color with subtle fall tones, and reusing many of the traditional
decor pieces I already had on hand. This post is sponsored by Wayfair Canada, but
as always, I only include items I truly recommend and would use in my own
home.
Fireplace Mantel Ideas: From Summer to Fall
Before: A Streamlined Summer Mantel
There’s nothing quite like a traditional living room design anchored by a
fireplace. Whether you’re decorating a new home, refreshing a small living
room, or updating a family room, the fireplace is almost always the first
thing you notice when you walk in the room.
The living room is where you gather with family members, style with your
favourite decorative accents, and, if you’re like me, mark the change of
seasons. Situated right by the front door, our living room sets the tone for
the rest of the house.
SHOP THIS LOOK:
Over the summer, my fireplace leaned toward a streamlined look. A
shield-shaped mirror which I've had for almost a decade, paired with a few
blue and white decorative accents, kept things light and airy. With plenty of
natural light streaming in through our windows, the mantel didn’t need much
else.
Still, the fireplace surround and architectural features of the room felt a
little underplayed. In traditional design, balance is key, and the size of our
fireplace mantel dictated we could go a little bigger and bolder with our
mirror and accessories and really give it a distinctive presence.
After: Cozy Fall Fireplace Mantel With Warm Undertones
Fall is the perfect time to lean into a traditional style refresh. Here’s how
I transformed our fireplace wall into a cozy and appealing living room feature
with just a few changes:
1. Upgrade With a Larger French-Inspired Mirror
Swapping out the shield mirror for a
French-inspired mirror
was the first thing I did and it made the biggest impact. This is where I love
turning to Wayfair Canada. When I have something specific in mind, like a
statement mirror with classic lines, I know they’ll have options that fit both my style and budget.
The
Arnott Arch Decorative Mirror
was available in four different finishes and nine different sizes. I debated
between the 30" x 40" size and the 36" x 36" size - the scale of both would
work with our classic mantel - but ultimately decided on the square mirror.
The tall mirror draws the eye upward, making the most of our 8' high ceilings
and emphasizing the mantel as the star of the show.
2. Add Texture With a Fall Leaf Garland
Decorating with seasonal accents from nature has always been one of my go-to
moves. I’ll tuck
faux branches into a vase
or scatter pinecones in a bowl for that rustic touch. But this year, I
discovered something new: a
fall garland that feels elegant, textured, and perfectly at home on my mantel.
This lush fall leaf garland, filled with warm undertones of amber, mustard
yellow, and muted green, brought the touch of fall colour my neutral living
room needed. The garland was a
Ships From Canada product
which means it landed on my doorstep in just two days! A great option if you
need that replacement chair, or faucet to finish your bathroom renovation -
fast.
Instead of overwhelming the space with the typical bright oranges or reds of
the season, the garland adds movement, softness, and understated colour. Even
better, it serves as a seasonal transition piece, providing a shift from
minimal summer decor towards the more elaborate holiday decorations next
season.
3. Reuse Decorative Accents You Already Own
My mantel styling isn’t about starting from scratch each season. Luckily,
these new decor items worked effortlessly with pieces I already had. I
restyled with:
- A sculptural horse bust also from Wayfair Canada. Add a decorative ribbon or scarf and it fits right in no matter the season
- Vintage leather-bound books for height and character
- Faux florals for a subtle pop of color and texture
- A chevron fireplace screen for safety and function
- Tea lights in mercury glass holders to create a cozy ambiance at night
These small additions prove that the best way to refresh a room is to work
with what you already own and add one or two new design ideas.
SHOP THIS LOOK:
Living Room Fireplace Ideas for Small and Large Spaces
The secret to creating a cozy feeling in a modern living room? Ask interior
designers and they'll tell you that furniture layout plays just as important a
role as your décor.
In our home, I’ve placed the sofa opposite the fireplace, with accent chairs
alongside to create a conversation area. A glass or wood coffee table can be
used to anchor the room, while side tables and throw pillows add comfort.
This living room furniture arrangement is a great choice for both a small room
or a large room because it provides several seating options with enough space
for traffic flow.
Consider these additional designer tips for a living room with a fireplace:
- With an awkward living room layout, break up the space and create distinct zones. In our long and narrow space, a built-in window seat at the back window and large wingback armchair at the front maximize the seating arrangement
- Mix classic furniture with modern furniture for balance and to keep your room from feeling too stodgy or dated.
-
Have a TV in the same room as a fireplace? A Frame TV or media console on
an adjacent or opposite wall keeps entertainment at the right angle, while
using swivel chairs to see both can reduce neck strain.
Traditional Living Room Design That Works Year-Round
This mantel refresh also highlights why I love traditional living rooms. Over
the years, I've decorated this room for
spring,
summer,
fall
and
winter. It's timeless bones - like our original fireplace mantel, classic
bookcases, and moldings - adapt easily to each season.
Whether you’re working with a stone fireplace, a corner fireplace, or an
electric fireplace, keep these rules in mind year round:
- Make the fireplace the focal point of your living room
- Use scale (like a large mirror or piece of art) to balance the size of your fireplace
- Stick with neutral colours and layer in warm undertones for fall
- Add seasonal decorative accents without overwhelming the space
By sticking to these concepts, your modern traditional living room can feel
both updated and timeless.
Design Ideas Beyond the Fireplace
A roaring fire can bring that instant cozy factor, but your living room or
family room works best when everything flows together. Here’s how to extend
the cozy feel:
- Use chaise lounges, a daybed, or accent chairs in complementary patterns and textures to expand seating options.
- Create warmth underfoot and balance in an open space by using rugs to define zones.
- Highlight architectural features like a window seat or black window frames with elegant drapery and textiles
- Bring in bright colours sparingly through pillows, throws, or decorative objects.
- Consider sliding glass doors or large windows when determining your furniture placement, so you don’t block natural light.
The best part of this fall refresh is how low-effort it was. A stunning
French-inspired mirror from Wayfair Canada instantly elevated the entire room. Adding
in a textured leaf garland, faux florals, and a mix of accessories results in
a cozy ambiance that feels like fall, without the fuss.
In so many traditional rooms, the fireplace has always been the gathering
spot. It’s where families tell stories, where guests linger after dinner,
where you curl up with a book. That’s why I encourage you to treat it as the
star of the show and use the mantel as an opportunity to express your style,
season to season:
Fall Decorating Ideas
My mantel refresh reminded me that you don’t need pumpkins or cliché seasonal
décor to create a space that gives you those fall vibes. By focusing on scale,
texture, and subtle warm undertones, you can create a living room that feels
inviting and timeless.
If you’re shopping for a large mirror, classic furniture, or those just-right
decorative accents, make Wayfair Canada your first stop. Now excuse me as I grab a
cup of tea, a good book, and curl up here and enjoy the warmth of the season.
