Decorate your mantel this fall using these ideas inspired by real homes.

Striking Orange-and-Black Mantel

A few mini pumpkins and a glass container filled with seedpod vase filler, pinecones, and faux leaves can give your house the autumn touch it needs. Displayed above the collection, a striking black mirror instantly sets the fall mood. Meghan MacLauchlan (littlemacshack.blogspot.com) recommends using items on your mantel that are meaningful to you. Her Shel Silverstein books are constants through every season.

Fall Mantel with Natural Elements

To get inspiration and materials for your fall mantel, Kate Riley (centsationalgirl.com) suggests going on a nature walk. Pick up branch clippings, pinecones, acorns, and smooth stones, and give them a home on your mantel. Displaying a tall vase and an apothecary jar is a perfect way to show off your finds. A complementing display on a coffee table is an easy way to carry on the fall theme.

Fall Mantel with Twine-Wrapped Vases

Maryann Caballero (domestically-speaking.com) loves a full mantel to complement the bountiful season. She created her plentiful mantel by layering pumpkins, acorns, pinecones, and leaves. To fashion twine vases, she hot-glued twine to recycled bottles.

Tree-Theme Mantel

While silhouette tree art grabs your attention, it's the trio of spiders in Audrey Pool's (house-of-boys.livejournal.com/) display that gives it personality. She added fresh-from-the-farmer's-market pumpkins, a leafy garland, and candles to complete the fall flavor.

Outdoor Elements on Fall Mantel

Laney Gardner looks to the outdoors for inspiration for her fall mantel. She covered sticks from her yard with a clear coat and mixed them in with dried flowers and feathers in a clear vase. She filled the base with faux leaves and accented with mini pumpkins and gourds.