Red White And Blue Memorial Day Mantel Ideas bring a warm, respectful touch to a living room, entry, or family room. I love how a few flags, textured linens, and a cluster of candles can turn a plain mantel into a spot that nods to the holiday without feeling overdone.
These Red White And Blue Memorial Day Mantel Ideas work well on both narrow and wide mantels; they play with contrast — weathered wood, crisp white ceramics, and navy textiles — and they make it easy to swap in seasonal flowers or keepsakes for a personal touch.
Farmhouse mantel with burlap bunting and jars
This farmhouse mantel leans into warm wood tones and tactile fabrics. Think a reclaimed wood mantel shelf, burlap bunting draped across, clustered mason jars filled with white daisies, and slender navy-tinted taper candles in metal holders. The color palette keeps to muted red, cream, and deep navy, with raw textures like galvanized metal and rough linen to balance the softer blooms. I often add a small framed quote or vintage postcard to anchor the center and make the vignette feel collected.
Styling Tips
- Group items in odd numbers for a relaxed look
- Mix heights using books or small boxes under accents
- Keep a neutral base so the red and blue pop
Nautical navy anchors and rope — coastal twist
This coastal take brings sea-swept neutrals together with red and blue accents. Picture a navy anchor silhouette or metal anchor, twisted natural rope, glass floats or jars with sand, and a soft white linen runner across the mantel. Textures include woven rope, smooth glass, and weathered wood, while the palette blends navy, boat-bleached white, and coral-red pops. I like swapping in a sprig of eucalyptus or a cluster of shells collected from summer trips to make the display feel personal and travel-inspired.
Styling Tips
- Anchor the middle with a large focal piece like an anchor
- Add sprinkled shells or sand in a clear tray for texture
- Balance heavier items with airy botanical stems
Layered flags and framed silhouettes, modern look
For a cleaner, modern feel, layer small tabletop flags behind minimalist frames and metal star silhouettes. Use a shallow color palette — crisp white, navy, and a restrained true red — and add matte black frames for contrast. Materials like smooth ceramic vases, brushed metal stars, and a simple cotton runner keep the arrangement refined. I enjoy changing the framed prints each year; a simple stripe print or abstract blue watercolor keeps things fresh while honoring the holiday with restraint and style.
Styling Tips
- Keep one dominant color and two accents for coherence
- Use frames of the same finish to unify the display
- Let negative space breathe between objects for a modern vibe
Vintage patriotic with tin signs and heirlooms
This vintage mantel celebrates memory through found objects and heirlooms. Imagine rusted tin signs with faded stars, a stack of old books tied with twine, framed black-and-white prints of landscapes, and a folded flag in a glass case. The palette favors worn crimson, navy, and parchment whites, and textures include aged metal, creased paper, and soft wool throws. I love bringing out a family memento or two — a pocket watch or small medal — to make the arrangement feel intimate and story-filled.
Styling Tips
- Create depth by leaning signs and frames at staggered angles
- Anchor one side with a taller heirloom piece
- Keep the color treatment slightly faded for vintage character
Minimal navy and white with single red accent
This minimal arrangement relies on calm navy and crisp white, with a single red accent to honor the holiday. A sleek navy runner, two white ceramic vases with a single red peony or tulip, and a compact star sculpture keep the mantel uncluttered. Materials stay smooth — glazed ceramics, polished metal, and clean cotton — while the palette creates a quiet, elegant nod to red, white, and blue. I often place a candle in a white holder for a soft glow at dusk.
Styling Tips
- Choose one red item to act as a focal point
- Keep shapes simple to maintain the minimal feel
- Use matching ceramics for a unified look
Patriotic mantel with bunting and lantern cluster
This approach layers fabric bunting, wooden beads, and a cluster of lanterns for a cozy, gathered effect. Use soft cotton bunting in faded red and navy, mix metal and glass lanterns with pillar candles, and add a runner in natural linen. Textures of cotton, wood, and warm candlelight create a relaxed mood, while small flag picks tucked into mason jars add charm. I enjoy lighting the lanterns in the evening and watching the layered shadows dance across the mantel face.
Styling Tips
- Vary lantern heights for visual rhythm
- Tuck small flags into floral clusters for hidden color
- Keep bunting proportional to mantel length to avoid overwhelm
Kids-friendly mantel: playful stars and crafts
This mantel invites little hands to join the decorating with framed paper-star garlands, painted mason jars, and a low-sill display perfect for children’s artwork. Use washable paints in primary red and blue, mix in neutral kraft paper frames, and add a soft throw draped over one end for a casual feel. Textures are kid-made: corrugated paper, yarn tassels, and chalkboard tags. I always leave a small basket nearby for temporary art swaps so the mantel becomes a rotating gallery of family creativity.
Styling Tips
- Use washable materials for easy cleanup
- Display art in clip frames for quick swaps
- Keep breakables out of reach and favor lightweight decor
Rustic log slices and candlelit warmth
Bring outdoors in with log slice accents, raw jute, and tea lights in glass votives for a lodge-inspired mantel. The palette plays with warm wood tones, cream whites, and muted navy ribbons, creating a grounded backdrop for small flag stakes or metal stars. Materials are tactile — rough bark, soft wool, and hammered metal — and the feel is comfortable and grounded. I often add a sprig of dried lavender or seeded eucalyptus for scent and a gentle green note among the patriotic colors.
Styling Tips
- Cluster log slices at the base for natural height
- Mix candle sizes for layered illumination
- Use ribbon ties to echo the color scheme subtly
Star-studded garland across a classic mantel
A star garland makes a quick, striking statement: string metal or felt stars in alternating red, white, and blue across the mantel, then balance with low-slung greenery and small pillar candles. Textures of felt, metal, and soft foliage create contrast, while the palette remains true to the holiday. I sometimes layer a thin striped fabric behind the garland for added dimension and tuck a framed vintage postcard at one end to anchor the display with a nostalgic touch.
Styling Tips
- Drape the garland in gentle swags for movement
- Tuck foliage behind stars to soften the metal look
- Place heavier items at mantel ends to balance the garland
Monochrome navy backdrop with red focal pieces
Paint or wallpaper the wall above the mantel in navy for a dramatic backdrop, then layer white and red accents on the shelf. White ceramic pitchers, a group of red lanterns, and a woven navy runner create strong contrast and modern appeal. Textures include smooth glaze, woven textiles, and matte metal. I find the deep backdrop makes small details like a stitched flag or red glass really sing, and it creates a cozy focal point even in an open-plan space.
Styling Tips
- Keep mantel objects mostly light to pop against dark paint
- Introduce one bright red cluster rather than many small reds
- Use reflective surfaces to bounce light off the navy wall
Layered textiles: woven runner, pillows, and flags
Extend the patriotic palette beyond the mantel by layering textiles nearby: a woven runner across the shelf, a small flag pillow on an adjacent bench, and a fringed throw folded on the hearth. Materials like handwoven cotton, chunky knit, and lightweight linen add cozy texture, while colors mix soft navy, chalky white, and washed red. I enjoy the tactile pull of mixing knits and linen — it invites people to sit and linger, turning the mantel into a lived-in, welcoming corner for Memorial Day gatherings.
Styling Tips
- Coordinate but don’t match textiles exactly for a relaxed look
- Fold throws to show fringe or pattern detail
- Anchor textiles with a small tray to prevent slipping
Antique brass and deep blue glass accents
Combine antique brass candlesticks, cobalt blue glass bottles, and small red ceramic bowls for a mantel with old-world charm. The warm metallic glow of brass contrasts with the cool depth of blue glass, while cream linens soften the look. Textures include polished metal, smooth blown glass, and soft cotton. I enjoy hunting for a single interesting bottle or a mismatched pair of candlesticks at flea markets, then arranging them with fresh-cut white blooms to lighten the composition and tie the colors together.
Styling Tips
- Polish metals sparingly to keep a lived-in patina
- Group glass bottles of varying heights for rhythm
- Add a ceramic bowl to introduce a matte element
Entryway mantel with wreath and flag cluster
For an entry mantel or console, hang a small wreath above and cluster a few petite flags beside a welcome tray. Use mixed materials — grapevine wreath with fabric stars, a wooden tray, and ceramic votives — and keep the palette balanced with muted red and navy accents on a neutral base. I like the ritual of switching the wreath centerpiece seasonally; for Memorial Day, a wreath with linen ribbons and tiny blue blooms signals the holiday without shouting, and it pairs well with a bowl for keys and small items.
Styling Tips
- Keep functional items like trays within easy reach
- Opt for a small wreath scale to suit narrow mantels
- Anchor flag clusters with a low-weighted tray or book
Layered frames and patriotic paper art
Make a gallery-style mantel by leaning frames of different sizes filled with red, white, and blue paper art or simple typographic prints. Add star cutouts, vintage map fragments, and a small ceramic bowl to ground the arrangement. Paper and matte textures keep the look light and affordable, and the color strategy relies on repeating navy and red in differing saturations. I often switch one or two prints each year so the mantel evolves while keeping a familiar composition that feels thoughtfully arranged.
Styling Tips
- Mix frame sizes but keep a consistent finish for cohesion
- Layer prints by leaning rather than hanging for casual charm
- Add a three-dimensional object to prevent the display from feeling flat
Industrial edge: metal stars and concrete planters
Introduce an industrial spin with matte metal stars, concrete planters, and wire baskets filled with rolled blue and red textiles. The palette leans toward slate gray, iron black, raw concrete, plus pops of patriotic color. Textures include cool stone, rugged metal, and soft cotton, creating a balanced contrast. I like placing small succulents in low concrete pots to add life without extra fuss; the green tones soften the metal look and give the mantel a modern, grounded feel.
Styling Tips
- Use heavier materials to anchor the display
- Soften metal with greenery or soft textiles
- Keep color accents controlled to retain the industrial mood
Layered mirrors and reflective surfaces for light
Use mirrors above the mantel to amplify natural light and reflect patriotic accents. A central round mirror flanked by smaller mirrors picks up red and navy objects on the shelf, while glass vases and polished frames add sparkle. The palette stays soft with warm whites and navy, letting reflective materials do the work. I often angle a small mirror slightly to catch candlelight in the evening; it creates a glow and makes the mantel feel larger without adding extra pieces.
Styling Tips
- Cluster mirrors in odd numbers for interest
- Use reflective objects sparingly to avoid glare
- Place candles where their light can bounce off the mirrors
Low country charm with gingham and wildflowers
This low-country mantel blends gingham fabrics, wildflower bouquets, and weathered wooden signs for a relaxed southern feel. Use red-and-white gingham runners or napkins tucked into jars, blue-tinted mason jars filled with mixed blooms, and a faded painted sign for backdrop interest. Textures are casual — cotton gingham, rough-hewn wood, and soft flower petals — and the palette leans warm and welcoming. I like how this setup feels like a porch picnic moved indoors, easygoing and friendly for holiday gatherings.
Styling Tips
- Tie fabric pieces with twine or ribbon to echo the color scheme
- Use mismatched jars for a collected, homey touch
- Keep blooms loose and natural for that wildflower look
Layered candles and mirrors: evening-ready mantel
Turn your mantel into an evening focal point with a mix of mirrored trays, cluster candles, and small flag accents. Use different candle heights and glass hurricanes to create flicker and depth, while a mirrored tray reflects the flamelight for extra glow. Palette choices keep to cream, navy, and a hint of red through ribbon or small ornaments. I enjoy lighting this arrangement for quieter family moments after a daytime cookout; the gentle light feels reflective and respectful for the holiday.
Styling Tips
- Group candles on a tray to make lighting safer
- Vary candle heights to create visual movement
- Use glass hurricanes to protect flames from drafts
Patriotic photo display without crowding the mantel
Create a sentimental display by placing a few framed mementos or landscapes that echo the red, white, and blue palette. Select frames in navy and natural wood, add a small folded flag or a paper star, and keep the overall arrangement airy to avoid clutter. Textures should be mixed but restrained — matte frames, soft textiles, and a single ceramic accent. I like to swap in a current family snapshot each year so the mantel holds both holiday style and personal memory without feeling crowded.
Styling Tips
- Limit frames to three or four to maintain calm
- Use matching mats for a cohesive gallery feel
- Balance the visual weight with a low vase or bowl
Bold striped backdrop with layered tabletop flags
Paint or hang a bold striped panel behind the mantel in navy and off-white for a graphic backdrop, then place tabletop flags, wooden stars, and low-profile ceramics in front. Stripes set a playful tone while the mantel shelf keeps things grounded with heavier bases and short vases. Materials include painted wood, matte ceramics, and cotton, and the palette plays with saturated navy, soft white, and pops of classic red. I find the stripes add instant energy and help small tabletop flags read clearly from across a room.
Styling Tips
- Keep front-row objects low to preserve the backdrop’s visibility
- Use horizontal stripes to widen a narrow mantel visually
- Choose one or two star elements to echo the stripe direction
Country chic with ladder, quilts, and flag accents
Lean a wooden ladder nearby for hanging small quilts or fabric flags, and use the mantel for clustered ceramics and vintage tins. Quilts bring soft pattern and warmth, while tins and enamel pitchers add nostalgic texture. The color palette incorporates faded reds, denim blues, and warm ivories, creating a lived-in, collected look. I enjoy folding a tiny quilt over a ladder rung and tucking a small flag into a pitcher for an autumnal-meets-patriotic mix that feels like family heirlooms out for a holiday display.
Styling Tips
- Lean the ladder at a safe angle and keep heavy items low
- Fold quilts to show pattern without bulk
- Mix metal tins with ceramics for varied texture