'There's no one right way to style a mantel' – why Nate Berkus has made me rethink my fireplace display entirely

I've always been very particular when styling my mantel, but after seeing Nate Berkus' many fireplace looks, he's proven that it's not about what you put on your ledge, but how you do it.

Taking to Instagram to share his past projects, Nate proves that mantel decor ideas come in many forms. From rustic vases to antique candle holders, the world's your oyster; you can put pretty much anything on a mantel, but it's the artful balance of these objects that will determine the impact of your display.

Making me rethink how to style a mantelpiece, Nate's spaces have encouraged me to think outside the box and give even the most unconventional pieces a chance. With a meticulous eye, your display will appear curated, considered, and contemporary, no matter the object.

I'd usually be careful not to overwhelm my fireplace, restricting myself to four, maybe five pieces at most to adorn my mantel. However, Nate proves that conventional styling isn't always the best approach when it comes to creating a successful, unique arrangement.

Take the first mantel project as an example – at first glance, it appears effortless. But like all good design, when you look closer, you can see plenty of thought has gone into the display. Nate has positioned eight rustic vases of all shapes and sizes along the ledge. Ensuring there's a subtle gap between them, Nate creates two groups of vases that give the area an overall sense of balance and freedom. Instead of lining them up uniformly, he ensures there's plenty of depth.

There are things you should never put on a mantel, but the versatility of Nate's spaces proves that pretty much all decor can work in this area, provided you consider height and scale. Take the third project, he's incorporated two rather large silver taper candle holders, two sculptural vases, and some other trinkets. In the past, I would have avoided such an array of pieces, but actually, by placing the tallest pieces in the middle and balancing the ends of the mantel with the smaller objects, the ledge feels considered and pleasing to the eye.

Instead of meticulously arranging my pieces to sit along my mantel, Nate's spaces have inspired me to choose a diverse array of objects in different shapes and sizes that will provide impact and variation. By scattering them accordingly and ensuring the middle and ends of the ledge are balanced, you're bound to have the perfect mantel recipe.

Shop Nate's mantel decor essentials

Whether you're channelling traditional fireplace ideas or a more modern look, Nate's mantel styling proves that a mantelpiece should never be overlooked – it's the perfect place to get creative and create a bold and truly unique display.