Simple & Neutral Fall Mantel Decor

This time of year is magical for sure. Sharpened pencils, anticipation of the cooler temps and glorious leaves falling to their collective resting place. Hopes of a renewed sense of purpose, finishing the year strong and preparing for the holidays to come.

And if you’re anywhere near the South – the promise of cooler temps is a clear bright spot of the season. 😉 This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. See my full disclosure policy here.

It’s exciting, cozy and expectant. Saturdays are spent with friends and family – cookouts and football. Sweater weather starts and the much anticipated boots are pulled out of the closet. Sweater weather is my favorite weather, y’all.

The lazy, sweaty days of summer give way to early mornings with a chill in the air. And it’s a welcome change after months and months (and months) of 90-degree weather.

Note: I’ll share a list of all the sources at the end of this post, so be sure to check that out if you have any questions. You will see some of the images in little carousels along the way; you can just click the image to shop the items. I’m ALSO sharing this mantel with 25+ other talented bloggers today, so check those out at the end, too! They’re gorgeous!!

I wanted to channel allll of these feelings and emotions with my decor, as I always want to do every year. But this year I wanted more cozy, more warmth. Hence a lot of browns and medium blues. I was craving simplicity and texture as opposed to more and more stuff.

In addition to craving simplicity – I had to resist every urge not to put some faux plant or faux foliage on the little table in between the chairs – I also have been craving more symmetry lately.

There was a time when I did a lot of off-centered vignettes, and I still have those in other spots around my home. But over the past year you’ve seen more and more balanced decor on my mantel. And I really feel like it creates a sense of calm and order in my home.

I mean – it’s not exact symmetry, but it’s definitely balanced.

What truly made this room work for me this year, though, was all of the pretty pillows and the textures and the blues and browns. I’m just in love!

You may notice some colors missing from my usual mantel decor. For instance, there’s no turquoise this year. Instead I’m using navy and medium blues, which remind me of blue jeans – the epitome of fall. (One of my favorite fall trends I highlighted in this post.)

And lots of wood tones and browns along with fall greenery. It’s a different vibe for me, more warm colors. But I’m all about the more neutral palette. One of my friends on Instagram called it the “Joanna Gaines effect” and I think she’s on to something. But I’m loving it!

I did make an exception with the fall centerpiece I made with a few oranges, plums and light blues. But it’s just a small pop of color and I really love it. I just moved it into here for the pictures as it usually lives in the dining room as a table centerpiece.

Do you like to decorate for each season? Or do you decorate once and leave it up all year (with the exception of Christmas)? I really love to at least change out the pillows each season and grab a few decorative items. But I’ma big fan of leaving some things in place all of the time, too.

Like that big mirror over the mantel? I bought two of them earlier this year to use in my master bathroom… but this one never made it past the living room. I set it up there just to get it out of the way and fell in love. I think I’ll just decorate around it from now on. Simple, huh?

I kind of love that you can see the reflection of the ceiling fan in the mirror, too. It’s super cute and I love how it looks in the room.

I’ll leave you with this first look at our new TV, which is the Samsung Frame TV. I resisted my husband’s pleas for a new TV for years, but when I saw that this TV displayed art while it was in standby mode – and that you can flush mount it on the wall to look like canvas art, I was sold!

I’ll post a full review when we finally get it mounted on the wall once our new sectional arrives.

Hopefully you enjoyed my little tour of my fall mantel today – and gleaned some decorating inspiration for yourself. I’m excited to share more of my decor next week with my fall home tour!

Fall Mantel Sources:

• Large Mirror
• Let’s Stay In Sign
• Faux Wooden Pumpkins
• Olive Trees
• Wood Shutters
• Blue/Brown Patterned Pillows
• Medium Blue Linen Pillows (color “midnight”)
• Black & White Pinstripe Pillow with Whipstitch
• “Home” Pillow (sold out, but this one is cute!)
• Plaid Pillows (sold out, but this is similar)
• Floral/Pumpkin Centerpiece in Dough Bowl (DIY Project)
• Chairs
• Vintage-Style Blue Rug
• Sofa
• Greenery along mantel (sold out, but this one is cute!)
• Barrel Side Table (old from HomeGoods, can’t find a link online)
• Plaid Blanket (sold out, but this is the same style, different color)
• Fall Harvest Candle
• Ceiling Fan
• Blanket Ladder (DIY Project)
• Bamboo Window Shades (see my full review here)

And today I’ve been joined by some of my blogging friends who are also sharing their Fall decor ideas through their Fall mantel decor or Fall Vignette. Aren’t they just gorgeous!?!? Just click on the links below the images to see more…

The Happy Housie | Rooms FOR Rent | The Turquoise Home (you’re here!) | Jennifer Rizzo | Craftberry Bush

The Handmade Home | So Much Better With Age | Modern Glam | Grace in My Space | House by Hoff

The DIY Mommy | Jenna Kate at Home | Home Made Lovely | Maison de Cinq | Clean & Scentsible

Tatertots and Jello | A Pretty Life in the Suburbs | All Things With Purpose | Town and Country Living | She Gave it a Go

Hallstrom Home | Sincerely, Marie Designs | Life is a Party | Cherished Bliss | Lolly Jane

This is Our Bliss | Lemon Thistle | My Sweet Savannah | Summer Adams | Taryn Whiteaker

Zevy Joy | Southern State of Mind | Rambling Renovators