Easy Spring Mantel + Inexpensive Decorating Ideas

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Want to add some beauty to your home for the season but don’t want to spend money? This easy spring mantel and inexpensive decorating ideas are for you!

A living room filled with furniture and a fire place

Heavy heart. Anxious spirit. Fear and overwhelm.

Right now this is probably all you see on social media and hear from your family and friends.

Our world has changed overnight. Kids are homeschooling (not by choice!) and everyone that can is working from home.

Finances are stretched and tempers explode.

A vase sitting on top of a wooden table

Are you feeling helpless, too?

These are difficult times we’re living through but they are not insurmountable.

At this time of insecurity everything in me is fighting the anxiety Satan wants to use to kill and destroy.

My friends, don’t let the devil get a foothold.

A mirror sitting on top of a table

There’s a time and season for everything and this just might be your season to grieve.

Grieve the loss of security.
Grieve the loss of a job or financial provision.
Grieve for your children who have lost normalcy and routines.
Grieve for those suffering whose health is compromised.
Grieve the inability to plan for the future.
Grieve for those who have no hope.

Then take this opportunity to rejoice!

A vase of flowers on a table

Rejoice that your security is in Christ.
Rejoice that there are always opportunities ahead even when you can’t see the light.
Rejoice with the extra time you have to pour into your children and family.
Rejoice that doctors and scientists are working at light speed to develop a vaccine or way to further combat this universal sickness.
Rejoice that you are alive and only have to live one day, one moment at a time.
Rejoice that we are not a people without hope.

Be the light, my friends. Do the work to battle the enemy who threatens to steal your joy.

A living room filled with furniture and a fire place

You are more than your fear.

At this uncertain time in our world I believe it’s natural to look for distraction and reassurance. I’m so excited to be joining with some amazing bloggers as we share our spring homes.

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Easy Spring Mantel: Tips for Decorating for The Season

Today I’m sharing my easy spring mantel and more inexpensive decorating ideas in the hopes that beauty (and thriftiness!) will encourage you during this difficult season.

As always, I shopped my home (and my attic, which desperately needs cleaning out!) for most of the things you see featured in this post.

If you’re interested in the many home accessories I’ve used, I’m linking some comparable items below. They may not be exactly like what I’ve used but hopefully they’ll give you some ideas!

Home Decor Supplies

(I’ve included some affiliate links for your convenience.  Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)

Real touch tulips
Glass bottle
Milk glass hobnail creamer
Burlap ribbon
Rustic shutters
Christmas wreath base
Eucalyptus garland
Wreath flowers
Organza ribbon
Round tobacco basket
Blue fluted vase
Gray planter
Sunflower teapot
Coral throw

Tip 1. Only decorate those areas that bring you joy.

I’ll be honest and say I only decorate this one room for most seasons. (You can read about how we took down a wall and totally gutted the space here.)

A living room with a wooden floor

Just because I’m a DIY/home decor blogger doesn’t mean I have to redecorate every other month. I don’t put that expectation on myself and you shouldn’t either!

I’m giving you permission to do as much or as little as makes you happy!

Tip 2: Use what you already have.

One of my favorite places to decorate, though, is my DIY floating mantel and $1 yard sale shutters.

A living room filled with furniture and a fire place

I’ve used the same basic inexpensive Christmas wreaths all this year by adding layers and ribbon I can change for the season. 

A close up of a flower

The Home Sweet Home sign is a touch of vintage (or says my husband! Not sure that’s a compliment!) Everything else on this easy spring mantel except the tobacco basket is a yard sale find.

Image and Spring

Tip 3. Use pops of color in your accessories.

Nothing makes me happier than coral and aqua/teal, the perfect colors for a touch of spring! Add a favorite bright throw and the room automatically looks more cheerful!

A room that has a blanket on a couch

Decorating Tips and Hacks
Get my FREE guide: How to decorate your home for practically nothing!
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Tip 4. If you’re going to purchase accessories make sure they can be used more than one time.

The second surface I always decorate is the top of this chalk painted buffet which includes this $10 yard sale cathedral window.

A kitchen with a sink and a window

I love these real touch tulips on top of some old stacked books and know I’ll be using them for years to come.

A bottle and a glass display case, with Season and Idea

One of my favorite decorating tricks is repurposing old candles by wrapping them in ribbon. (Obviously, these are not to be burned!)

Tip 5. Gather items together onto a tray.

I also love to decorate my window table by gathering together a few items with a painted yard sale tray. 

Did you guess the picture is just printed on white cardstock so I don’t have to go to the store?

A cake sitting on top of a wooden table

Tip 6. Use seasonal home decor your guests will see as they enter your home.

The little seating area and drop zone is the first area everyone sees when they come to visit. I love to make it cozy with pops of seasonal elements.

A living room filled with furniture and vase on a table

I used a matching wreath for this end of the room as well.

A vase of flowers on a table

Don’t forget the front door! I love the look of this tobacco basket against my bright coral door!

Diagram

Tip 7. Make your home work for you!

Your home should be a place of comfort and joy, especially during these trying times.

The most important part of your home is the family gathered within its walls. 

 

Enjoy all my friends who are sharing their beautiful spring homes!

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Monday ~ Mantels

A living room filled with furniture and a fire place

Hearth and Vine | Postcards from the Ridge | Marty’s Musings

Calypso in the Country

Tuesday ~ Tablescapes

Table and Porch

Lora Bloomquist | Our Southern Home | The Painted Hinge

Wednesday ~ DIY

Wreath and Flower

Sweet Pea | 2 Bees in a Pod | The How to Home | Our Crafty Mom

What Meegan Makes

Thursday ~ Recipes

A plate of food, with Spring and Season

My Wee Abode|Thistle Key Lane|Harbour Breeze Home|First Day of Home

Friday ~ Porches

Table and Porch

Redhead Can Decorate | Worthing Court | Follow the Yellow Brick Home

Decorating Tips and Hacks
Get my FREE guide: How to decorate your home for practically nothing!
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44 Comments

  1. I love this. I would love it if you would share this on The Fabulous Friday Link Party this Friday. You can find the link on my website. Hugs to you.

  2. Marty, I love how you’ve incorporated a mantle into your space and that beautiful blue is Spring perfection! Happy March!

  3. You have so many gorgeous Spring ideas. Your words of encouragement are just what I need. Thanks for always sharing your beautiful talents.

  4. OMG, I can’t say how much I love your mantel. I would give my right nut, if I had one to be able to copy this mantel. Unfortunately here in Australia, we don’t have mantels in our homes, I think it is because we only have plasterboard walls which would never hold any sort of weight like that. You have awesome taste.

    1. Thank you, Anita! That’s so sweet. I’m so sorry you can’t have one in your home. We’ve been here 30 years and it wasn’t until we gutted our kitchen that I got a mantel!

  5. You have such an amazing way with color Marty. Those beautiful blues and corals are so peaceful and inviting. and I love how you shopped your own home to create most of the bits that make your home so unique. So lovely.

  6. Just visiting–but so enjoyed your words of encouragement and your pretty home. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi, Marilyn. Thanks so much for visiting my blog, my home away from home on the internet! I’m so glad you were encouraged and I hope I will always be able to inspire and uplift you!

  7. I love the pops of color, Marty! That mantel over the sofa is pure genius… now you got me thinking! I also loved your message… very well written! You gifted in many ways!! Stay well!! Xo

    1. Hi, Julie. Thanks so much for visiting and sharing with the blog hop! The mantel is just about my favorite part of our new living room/kitchen open area. Still no fireplace but I’m happy with a mantel! Have a blessed day!

  8. Your mantel and spring decor is absolutely lovely, Marty! Also, I love the encouragement you shared at the beginning of your post. Amen to rejoicing. Have a blessed and lovely spring. xo

    1. Hi, Mary Beth. Thank you so much for the sweet comments! Yes, we all need to find reasons to rejoice right about now! Thank you for the reminder!

  9. This room would bring me a lot of joy, Marty! I just adore the coral and teal colors you’ve chosen. It’s amazing how they conjure up a happy mood in this room. I would love to go yard sale shopping with you, my friend! You’ve scored some amazing pieces! Happy to be on this hop with you.

    1. Hi, Crissy. Doesn’t coral and spring just shout happy spring? Thank you so much for the love and wish we could go yard sale shopping together! This social isolation is hard on us thrifters! Stay safe and well!

    1. Hi, Michelle. Thank you so much! Our homes are so meaningful right now, aren’t they? I’m so glad we take the time to create beauty in the midst of uncertainty. Be safe!

  10. Marty, I love your joyous spring mantel and all the wonderful spring colors throughout your home! I love how you combined everything with the vase “anchors” on the ends – lots of detail yet perfectly balanced. And the mantel wood itself is simply gorgeous! And thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging words through this difficult time we’re all facing right now. We’ll get through this together! So happy to be hopping with you!

    1. Hi, Michelle. Thank you so much for the sweet comments. We got our mantel from an old barn on church property and it’s my most favorite thing to decorate! I like to keep it fairly simple because the wood speaks for itself. Stay safe and well during these trying times!

  11. Marty, I think this may be the first time I have met you and visited your blog! So blessed to be touring together and that the Lord used this to introduce me to a sister! Thank you for the empathy AND encouragement in Christ! We all need to be doing that these days.
    Your coral and aqua decor is lovely… I’m thinking of doing a mantel shelf over my love seat, as well! It looks great! Pinned! Look forward to getting to know you more!

    1. Hi, Julie. It’s so good to meet you! I appreciate your encouragement and hope we both will continue to spread the light of our faith in a world that is struggling. Stay safe and well!

    1. Hi, Amber. I’m so glad I was able to encourage you…..and myself! We all have to build each other up and spread light in the darkness. I’m so glad you enjoyed my home! Be blessed!

  12. Marty, Your home just speaks joy with all the bright, happy Spring colors! Yes, we definitely need to have beauty in our homes right now to quell the darkness. Spring is all about Hope, Renewal and a brighter tomorrow!

    1. Hi, Lora. Thank you so much for the sweet comment. We definitely need to make our homes a refuse of beauty during these uncertain times. I know our readers appreciate it, too! Take care and be well!

    1. Hi, Angie. Thank you so much for your encouraging words! Your home is just lovely and I’m happy to be “hopping” with you! I hope we all will encourage each other and our readers during this time. I know they count on us! Take care!

  13. Your words are very encouraging and a great reminder for us all! Your mantel and home are so beautifully decorated for spring. I love the cheerful colors you used and how you shopped your home for your accessories. Be well.
    Shelley

    1. Shelley, thank you so much for your sweet words! I know we’re all just doing the best we can during these stressful times. My home is definitely my happy place! And cheerful colors speak to me! Take care of yourself during this uncertain time!

    1. Hi, girls. Thanks so much for the sweet love on my post. I pray we will all be blessed and safe in our cozy spring homes! It’s certainly a choice to rejoice instead of grumble!

  14. Marty, what wonderful kind words. I know everyone who reads this will be comforted and lifted with all of your great ideas for spring decor. I always shop my house when decorating. It saves money, you have to reuse some of your favorites and otherwise, you would need an extra house for all your stuff, right? Stay well and safe. ♥

    1. Hi, Patti. I love thrifty decorating and if I would just clean my attic I’d find some amazing new things! Thanks for “hopping” with us and be careful during this uncertain time.

  15. Your home looks lovely decorated for spring, Marty! Your mantel over your sofa looks so pretty and I love that you found a way to add a mantel even though you don’t have a fireplace. Using a Christmas wreath as a base of a wreath for any season is such a good idea. The two that you’ve used in your spring decor are lovely. I so much enjoyed seeing how you’ve made your home festive for spring. Prayers for good health during this scary time!

    1. Hi, Paula. Thanks so much for arranging the blog hop! I appreciate your sweet comments about my thrifty home! Definitely a scary time but a beautiful home is such a comfort! Take care, my friend!