The Odd Number Trick That Makes Decorating Your Mantel So Much Easier

Decorating your mantel can sometimes be tricky. It seems effortless when you see photos on Instagram or Pinterest — after all, all you need to do is group some aesthetic items together and you'll create the perfect vignette. But for some reason, your version may either look too cluttered or too threadbare. It can be difficult to hit the right balance and add the correct number of items. If you're having difficulty decorating your mantel, it might be time to employ the odd number trick. 

The odd number trick states that you should group smaller items in threes in order to create balance in your styling. It's a tried and true hack that designers have been using for decades, and its premise is that a grouping of three looks more natural, less forced, and perfectly balanced. It might sound odd, especially since even numbers create better symmetry. But odd numbers create depth and interest, making the room look less like you arranged it to appear mirror-like and more like you naturally created balance. Here is a closer look at how to use the odd number trick when styling your fireplace mantel. 

Keeping this "rule of threes" in mind, you want to group your items into clustered trios. So, if you currently have a vignette that employs four items, just remove one to instantly feel like the mantel has more depth and interest. You could also add one or three more items if you have a large mantel to work with five or seven accessories.

If your mantel is currently empty, one easy way to do this is to group three candles together of varying heights. Either choose three chunky pillar candles or candlestick holders in varying heights, like the SUJUN Matte Black Candle Holders. Add them to the corner of your mantel in a grouping. If you feel like that's a little too plain, remove one of the holders and put two of them on top of a book or box, creating your next trio. Oftentimes you want the trio to create a triangle, which shows the eye that those items effortlessly fit together.

If candles aren't your thing, try adding two picture frames and a plant to one corner. To make sure the vignette has depth, have the frames be two varying sizes, with one being larger than the other. You can also try arranging a vase with flowers, a mirror, and a small piece of pottery. The options are endless, and you can play around with your favorite items to figure out how to display them on your mantel. With this simple odd number trick, you'll be decorating your fireplace like a professional in no time.