Create a romantic and whimsical Valentine’s mantel decor with girly and fun elements! Using soft pinks, pastels, and creative DIY projects, you can transform your mantel into a festive and charming focal point for the holiday of love.
Chic Valentine’s Day Mantel Decor
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to add a touch of romance and playfulness to your home decor. After the cozy glow of Christmas, a pop of color and a few hearts can bring warmth and joy to your space. This year, I’m sharing how I styled my Valentine’s Day mantel with handmade garlands, bows, and other delightful details.
valentine’s mantel decor
DIY Conversation Heart Garland
The centerpiece of my Valentine’s mantel is a garland made from styrofoam hearts. I painted each heart in pastel shades to mimic the look of conversation hearts.
Paint colors- Shy Smile, Flamingo Feather, Corn Stalk, Back to Nature, Tinted Ice, Wing Flutter
Then, I added sweet and romantic messages like “Be Mine” and “Love You” by cutting gold vinyl on my Cricut machine.
I used this clip art to quickly upload the Conversation Heart saying onto Cricut’s Design Space. After cutting out the vinyl, I used this tool to weed the excess vinyl.
To keep the spacing on the letters, I covered the vinyl with transfer tape.
Then I removed the backing paper and applied the vinyl onto the hearts.
Once the hearts were done, I used a drill to make a hole through each heart.
Then I used a loop turner to pull yarn through each heart.
I love how the conversation heart garland looks on my mantel and the colors are so sweet! This simple DIY project is easy to customize and brings a nostalgic, playful vibe to the mantel.
Bow Garland
Bows are trending right now, and they’re absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day!
I created a bow garland using store-bought hair bows in pastel rainbow colors. This is a VERY fast way to make a garland.
Simply hot glue the ends of the bow together and then clip yarn onto the end to add a slip knot to hang it. It adds a touch of whimsy and femininity to the decor.
Big Bow
To tie the look together, I made a large bow out of pink fabric and placed it above the mirror as a statement piece.
Here’s how you can create your own oversized bow: Start with one yard of fabric. Cut a 6″ x 36″ piece on the fold three times—this will give you two tails and one loop for the bow. For the middle band, cut a 4″ x 8″ piece.
To add a polished touch, cut V-shaped notches into the ends of the two tail pieces. Measure up 3″ in the center, then cut from that mark to both ends of the tail.
Sew one side of the loop piece.
Sew one side of each tail, along with the bottom of the tails.
Turn all three pieces right side out and iron them for a smooth finish. Next, fold the middle band into thirds lengthwise and iron it flat.
Cut interfacing to give the bow structure: you’ll need a piece 5″ x 36″ for the loop and 5″ x 33″ for the tails. Insert the interfacing into each piece.
To assemble, create a loop with the top piece by bringing the unfinished ends together. Accordion-fold the loop and secure it in the center with floral wire.
Attach the wire to the top of each tail piece to cinch them tight. Then, use more wire to attach the tails to the center of the bow.
Wrap the middle band of fabric around the center of the bow to cover the wire, using hot glue to keep it in place.
Add extra wire to the back of the bow to create a loop for hanging.
Once the bow is in place, you can use bobby pins to give the tails movement and a more dynamic look.
Vintage Elements
Incorporating vintage elements into your Valentine’s Day mantel decor adds charm and a sense of history. I love layering vintage Valentine’s cards. To display them, I use a brass vintage photo holder, which beautifully highlights the intricate designs of the cards.
I also add a vintage brass cherub for a romantic touch. It’s also a wax seal, which I think is so cute!
For a cohesive look, I include my pink Wedgwood Jasperware pieces, like a heart-shaped trinket box, a vase, and a candlestick. These timeless items can double as everyday decor but feel perfectly suited for Valentine’s Day.
Fake Cakes
Last year, I created fake cake storage boxes as part of my Valentine’s decor, and they’re making a comeback on this year’s mantel. Repurposing items like these is a great way to reduce waste and save time while keeping your decor fresh.
Fake cakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day decor because they combine the charm of sweet treats with a whimsical, romantic vibe. Their pastel colors, intricate designs, and playful nature evoke the feeling of indulgence and celebration that Valentine’s Day represents. Plus, they’re a creative nod to the idea of sharing desserts with loved ones, but with a decorative twist that lasts all season.
Want to make your own fake cake? I have a full tutorial here. It’s a very fun craft (especially if you like cake decorating like I do). Adding them to your mantel creates a fun and unique focal point that feels festive, lighthearted, and totally Instagram-worthy!
Fresh Flowers for a Romantic Touch
No Valentine’s mantel is complete without fresh flowers. A simple vase filled with pink blooms adds elegance and a natural element to the display. Flowers are a timeless way to celebrate love and beauty, making them a must-have for this holiday.
I’ve had this Love vase for a few years. It’s so fun to bring out for Valentine’s Day and is a perfect focal point for the mantel.
Color Palette and Styling Tips
The color palette for this mantel is inspired by conversation hearts: soft pinks with hints of pastel purple, yellow, and green. By keeping the colors light and airy, the overall effect is romantic and cheerful without feeling overdone. It’s also important to think about how the current decor will play with what I put up for the holidays. I want my Valentine’s decor to match the wallpaper that’s behind the mantel.
When decorating your mantel, layering is key. Start with larger elements like the love vase, then add smaller accents like candlesticks, flowers, and vintage Valentine’s. It’s also nice to create some height by putting books down so some of the elements in the back can be elevated. Don’t forget to step back and adjust as needed to achieve a balanced and cohesive look.
I already owned a bunch of pink candle sticks. To create a romantic and girly vibe, I tied on bows to each one. This is easy to do, plus it adds a lot of texture to the mantel.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Style
Decorating your mantel for Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be complicated. With a mix of DIY projects, repurposed items, and thoughtful styling, you can create a display that feels both festive and personal. Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones or simply enjoying the holiday spirit, a beautifully styled mantel will make your home feel extra special.
I hope this inspires you to create your own Valentine’s Day mantel decor! What elements will you include in your design? Let me know in the comments!
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If you love it, pin it!
SO cute! Just hot glue and works fine? Cool.
Love the wall paint btw
xxx
For the bow garland- just hot glue the loops on the bows together. Works great!