15 STUNNING CHRISTMAS FIREPLACE MANTLE DECORATING IDEAS THAT WILL GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

I just can't help but share my latest Christmas decorating inspiration. The fireplace is one of my favorite destinations to begin decorating for my clients, especially because I don't currently have one myself.

It's the perfect place to begin styling to serve as the focal point for holiday fun. One of the very first things I do is begin lighting candles with holiday scents.

My absolute favorite Christmas candle of all time is Black Forest, everyone compliments my home when its burning. You will instantly be transformed into the spirit of the season. It's about the time to begin inviting friends over, get the fireplace going and really enjoy the season. 

The Magic of Decorating Your Fireplace Mantle for Christmas: Tips to Create a Cozy Focal Point

Decorating your fireplace mantle for Christmas brings a touch of magic and warmth to your home, setting the perfect festive atmosphere. As one of the main focal points in any living room, a beautifully styled mantle can create a cozy ambiance and a welcoming space for family gatherings.

Whether you’re aiming for a traditional, modern, or minimalist Christmas look, here are some tips to make your mantle truly stand out this holiday season.

1. Start with a Focal Point
Choose a statement piece to center above or on the mantle. A Christmas wreath, garland, or large mirror adds both depth and charm. For a classic look, try a wreath with pinecones and berries; for a modern twist, consider a metallic or neutral-toned wreath.

2. Layer Garland and Greenery
Garland is the essence of a Christmas mantle. Drape a thick, lush garland across the mantle, letting it hang slightly over the edges for a full, natural look. For a more traditional feel, add red berries, eucalyptus, or pinecones. If you prefer a minimalist look, keep the garland simple, perhaps with soft fairy lights woven in.

3. Add Stockings and Small Accents
No Christmas mantle is complete without stockings. Hang them with sturdy, decorative hooks to avoid damaging your mantle. To personalize the look, try mismatched stockings or those with textures like knitted patterns. Then, add small decorative pieces like candles, mini reindeer figurines, or twinkling lights to bring the display together.

4. Incorporate Height and Balance
Add different heights to your decorations by using items like candlesticks, framed prints, or small trees on one or both sides of the mantle. A balanced setup makes the display feel cohesive, while varied heights add interest and dimension.

5. Finish with a Personal Touch
Top off your mantle with something that reflects your family’s style. It could be a few vintage ornaments, family photos, or even a letter board with a festive message. This small addition makes the space feel extra personal and meaningful.

With these tips, your fireplace mantle can be the magical centerpiece of your Christmas decor, adding warmth, joy, and holiday cheer to your home.

p.s. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I am so grateful for your support.

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15 of the most elegantly decorated fireplaces I have seen:

01 | Decorate with faux garland branches for a unique look.

marianne sides

Decorate with faux garland branches and knit stockings.

02 | A collection of mercury glass candlesticks

Who doesn't love mercury glass in the winter? It makes a gorgeous glimmering staple over any fireplace.

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03 | Fluffy garland with wreath

Simplified Bee

04 | Knit stocking with ribbon

Christina De La Casa

Hang cozy cream knit stockings on your fireplace amongst garland and gorgeous ribbon tied in bows.

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05 | Modern Minimalist Christmas

via 100 Layer Cake

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06 | Wood bead garland

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07 | White and gold layers

Jenny Bloom Design

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08 | Silver Bells

Happy buddha Breathing

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09 | Layered Garland

Nesting with Grace

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10 | Faux Fur stockings

Simply Inspired Design Co.

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11 | Faux Fur stockings

Stylin By Aylin

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12 | Romantic ornament garland

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13 | Dried citrus garland

Nest of Posies

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14 | Neutral Christmas Tree Collection

Tennessee Cottage

15 | Eucalyptus Garland Velvet ribbon

pinterest . com

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The Ultimate guide to caring for and growing your Monstera Deliciosa

Growing plants indoors is one of my favorite hobbies.

I love bringing nature indoors and decorating my home with splashes of color. Not only does having plants inside help with the air quality, but it really brightens my day. 

Today, I’m showcasing an elegant plant that is quite possibly my favorite in my entire collection!

My monstera. Each plant is beautiful for its reason, but the Monstera is genuinely a sight to behold! I absolutely love the stunning leaves. You can see how small she was when I first got her here.

My goal is to grow her big! I want her leaves to get bigger and I want her to climb to almost reach my ceiling. This post will show you everything I know about caring for your monstera and helping her grow and thrive.

Monstera plants are a popular choice for indoor greenery, known for their stunning split leaves and relatively easy maintenance. With a few simple steps, you can ensure that your monstera thrives in your home.

Let’s dive into the different types of monstera, care tips, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

What Types of Monstera Are There?

1. Monstera Deliciosa: The most common and recognizable type. It’s famous for its large, dramatic leaves that develop fenestrations (splits and holes) as they mature.

2. Monstera Adansonii: A smaller version of the deliciosa, with more delicate, heart-shaped leaves and a lacy appearance due to many holes.

3. Monstera Obliqua: Rarer and more fragile, this type has thin, papery leaves with larger perforations.

4. Monstera Dubia: Known for its shingling habit, this plant has small, heart-shaped leaves that cling to a surface as it grows.

What’s the Best Type to Have in Your Home?

For most indoor spaces, Monstera Deliciosa is the best option. It’s relatively easy to care for and can grow into a stunning focal point. If you prefer something smaller, Monstera Adansonii is ideal, as it requires less space but still gives that iconic tropical look.

Where Should You Place Your Monstera?

Monstera plants love bright, indirect sunlight. Place yours near a window where it can receive plenty of natural light, but avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. If your home doesn’t get much natural light, they can tolerate low light but may grow slower.

Ideal locations:

• Next to a north- or east-facing window.

• Away from cold drafts or heating vents.

• In a space with enough room for the plant to grow (as monsteras can get quite large!).

How Often Should It Be Watered?

Watering a monstera is all about balance. They prefer to dry out slightly between waterings, so the key is to wait until the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. As a rule of thumb, water your monstera about once a week, but this will vary depending on the season and your home's humidity.

In winter, when the plant’s growth slows down, you may need to water less frequently. Always check the soil before watering to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Diagnosing Common Problems

1. Yellowing Leaves: This often indicates overwatering. Check the soil and let it dry out before watering again.

2. Brown Leaf Edges: Could be a sign of underwatering or low humidity. Ensure consistent watering and consider misting your plant or using a humidifier.

3. Drooping Leaves: This can be caused by underwatering, overwatering, or low light. Inspect the soil and lighting conditions to diagnose the issue.

4. Lack of Fenestrations (Holes in Leaves): If your monstera’s leaves aren’t developing splits, it might not be getting enough light. Move it to a brighter spot.

How to Stake and Grow Monstera Plants

Monsteras are natural climbers, and as they grow, they benefit from support. You can stake them with a moss pole or trellis to encourage upward growth and give the aerial roots something to cling to.

Steps to stake your monstera:

1. Choose a support structure like a moss pole or bamboo stake. I use this specific moss pole as my plant has grown bigger. When she was smaller, I started out with this one.

2. Insert the stake into the pot, being careful not to damage the plant’s roots.

3. Gently tie the stems to the stake using plant ties or soft twine. Don’t tie too tightly—leave room for growth.

4. As the plant grows, continue to tie new growth to the support.

Staking not only helps your monstera grow tall and strong, but it can also make the plant look more organized and tidy, especially as it matures.

Related Reading: 5 best plants to attract money according to Feng Shui

10 Additional Care Tips to help your monstera thrive

Monsteras are resilient and easygoing plants, but giving them a little extra care can take them from healthy to absolutely flourishing. Here are ten essential tips to ensure your monstera grows strong and vibrant.

1. Increase Humidity Around the Plant

As tropical plants, monsteras love humidity. Aim for around 60% humidity if possible. You can increase humidity by misting the leaves lightly, using a humidifier, or placing the plant near other plants to create a micro-humid environment.

2. Fertilize During the Growing Season

To keep your monstera healthy and lush, feed it a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer. I use this very specific fertilizer because it has the essential vitamins plants need.

Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil and damage the roots. Avoid fertilizing in winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

3. Choose a Well-Draining Potting Mix

Monsteras prefer soil that retains moisture but drains well. A good mix for monstera includes:

• Standard potting soil

• Orchid bark

• Perlite or pumice These additions help mimic the plant’s natural environment and prevent waterlogged soil.

4. Dust the Leaves for Better Photosynthesis

Monsteras’ large leaves can collect dust, which blocks light and hampers photosynthesis. To keep them healthy and vibrant, wipe the leaves gently with a damp cloth every month. This will not only make the plant look fresher but also improve its ability to absorb light.

5. Rotate the Pot Every Few Weeks

Monsteras naturally grow toward light, so if you leave them in the same position, they may start leaning in one direction. Rotate the pot every 2-3 weeks to ensure even growth and a more balanced appearance.

6. Use a Moss Pole or Trellis for Support

As monstera plants grow, they can benefit from support. Adding a moss pole or trellis encourages vertical growth and helps support the plant’s weight. Over time, the monstera’s aerial roots will attach to the moss pole, which can keep the plant looking tidy and enhance its natural climbing habit.

7. Watch for Pests and Take Action Quickly

Common pests like spider mites, scale, and mealybugs can harm monstera plants. Inspect the leaves regularly, especially the undersides, for any signs of pests. If you notice any, treat the plant immediately with an insecticidal soap or neem oil. Catching pests early can prevent them from spreading to other houseplants.

8. Repot Every 1-2 Years

Monsteras are fast growers, especially when they’re young, and they can outgrow their pots quickly. Repot your monstera every 1-2 years or whenever you see roots poking out of the drainage holes. Choose a pot that’s 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one to give the roots room to grow.

9. Prune Regularly to Encourage New Growth

Pruning isn’t just for tidying up—regularly trimming your monstera encourages new growth and helps maintain its shape. If your monstera is getting too large or has leaves that are yellowing or damaged, use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut those parts back at the base of the stem. Pruning can also stimulate the plant to produce new leaves and keep it looking full and vibrant.

Pruning in spring or early summer is ideal since the plant is in its active growing season, allowing it to recover and fill out faster.

10. Propagating the Plant 

The Monstera is more than just a one-hit wonder. It can create offspring, and you can propagate your plant to grow more (or share the wealth with some friends or family – it makes a great gift!).

Monsteras are relatively easy to propagate, especially through stem cuttings.

Here’s how to propagate your monstera properly:

1. Gather Your Materials

You’ll need:

• A healthy, mature monstera plant

• Clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears

• A jar or glass of water (or pot with soil if you prefer soil propagation)

• Rooting hormone (optional but can speed up the rooting process)

2. Choose the Right Stem to Cut

Look for a healthy stem with at least one leaf and one visible node. The node is the knobby, brownish part of the stem where the leaf meets the main stem, and it’s where new roots will grow. Ideally, your cutting should have both a node and an aerial root, if possible.

3. Make the Cut

Using your clean scissors or shears, make a clean cut just below the node. A healthy cutting should have:

• A node

• At least one leaf

• (Optional) An aerial root attached to the node, which can encourage faster growth.

4. Prepare the Cutting for Rooting

To encourage root growth, you can dip the node end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder or gel, though this step is optional.

5. Place the Cutting in Water or Soil

• Water Method: Fill a glass or jar with room-temperature water and place the cutting inside, ensuring the node is submerged in water, but keep the leaves above the water level to avoid rot.

• Soil Method: Use a well-draining potting mix, burying the node and any aerial roots in the soil, but leave the leaves exposed.

6. Find the Right Environment for Rooting

Monsteras root best in bright, indirect light and warm, humid conditions. Place your cutting near a window but out of direct sunlight to avoid stressing the cutting.

7. Monitor the Roots and Change Water Regularly

If you’re propagating in water, change the water every 5-7 days to keep it fresh. Within 2-4 weeks, you should see small roots beginning to grow from the node. Wait until the roots are at least 2-3 inches long before transferring to soil.

8. Pot the Cutting (For Water-Propagated Cuttings)

Once the roots have grown to a healthy length, you can transplant your cutting into a pot with well-draining soil. Place it gently in the soil, cover the roots, and water lightly.

9. Care for Your New Monstera Plant

Keep your newly propagated monstera in a warm, bright spot with indirect light, and continue watering as you would a mature monstera—letting the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings.

Tips for Success

• Be patient! It can take a few weeks for roots to develop.

• Avoid moving the cutting too much, as this can disrupt root growth.

• Keep the soil or water clean to prevent bacteria that can harm the cutting.

Propagating a monstera is a wonderful way to multiply your plant family or create thoughtful gifts for friends. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll be well on your way to growing new, beautiful monsteras in no time!

Caring for a monstera can be a rewarding experience, especially as you watch it transform from a small plant into a statement piece in your home. With the right care—proper watering, a good light source, and occasional staking—your monstera will thrive and continue to impress with its unique and beautiful foliage.

p.s. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I am so grateful for your support.

💡 Pro-tip: Grab a FREE 30 Day trial of Amazon Prime to get unlimited free shipping to make shopping for your coffee bar super easy – without even leaving home!