Want to keep the sparkle going after New Year’s Day, but Valentine’s decor is just not your vibe? A Mardi Gras mantle is the easiest way to keep your house feeling festive through January and February without dragging out a whole new theme.
A Mardi Gras mantle is a fireplace mantel styled in purple, green, and gold with Carnival decor like beads, masks, ribbon, and fleur-de-lis. Check out these Carnival ready Mardi Gras mantle decor ideas and get inspired to decorate your own home for Mardi Gras season, even if you are nowhere near New Orleans.
This post is to inspire you to decorate your mantle for Mardi Gras!
These Mardi Gras mantle decor ideas are full of purple, green, and gold, plus all the fun stuff that makes it feel like Carnival season: ribbon, beads, masks, feathers, fleur de lis, and garland that looks like a parade float moved in.
Of course these are amazing if you have a fireplace, but even a faux mantle shelf, or just a console table you treat like a mantle will look fantastic using the real inspiration from creators featured here. Plus you can use the step-by-step “how to” so you can build a layered, dramatic mantle without guessing.
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Mardi Gras Decor Ideas
Need more Mardi Gras decor ideas for your home decor this year? We get that! Check out our series:
When Is Mardi Gras This Year?
Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday) is Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Mardi Gras is tied to Lent and falls 47 days before Easter (Western calendar). In 2026, Easter Sunday is April 5, 2026 in the U.S.
Slowestuff Mardi Gras Section
We LOVE Mardi Gras, and have an entire section of the Blog dedicated to it!
Pace yourself! Drink water! Wear comfortable shoes! Eat some king cake! Be the Life of the Mardi! Check out our full guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans to give you all the helpful tips and tricks so you make it to Ash Wednesday.
If you are looking for the perfect Mardi Gras outfit, check out the posts we have on Mardi Gras boutique outfits, dressy and casual Mardi Gras outfits for women and outfit ideas for men too!
If you are inspired by the items posted but they are not quite right, head over to our storefront of Mardi Gras Essentials to look through all types of ideas of Mardi Gras thing like Mardi Gras outfits for women, men and kids!
How to DIY an Elaborate Mardi Gras Mantle Garland
If you keep seeing those jaw-dropping Mardi Gras mantles with thick garland, big bows, and beads draped perfectly, here’s the secret: it is just layers. You build it in steps so it looks full and styled, not messy.
- Start with a base garland. Use something chunky (pine, mesh, tinsel, or a plain greenery garland you can “Mardi Gras up”). Lay it across the mantle and let it dip slightly in the middle.
- Hang it without damage. Command hooks or mantle clips work great. If your mantle is slick, try removable mounting putty under the garland to stop sliding. For super light pieces, painter’s tape on the back edge can help, but test first.
- Add your “wow ribbon” next. Pick one main ribbon that screams Mardi Gras (harlequin, metallic gold, purple velvet, green satin). Make 2–4 big bows first (how to video linked) then add smaller loops or ribbon tails to fill gaps.
- Layer beads like swags. Drape Mardi Gras beads in 2–3 swoops across the front. Vary the length so it looks intentional. If beads slide, anchor them behind the garland with a hook or a twist tie.
- Place focal pieces in clusters. This is what makes it look designer. Group a mask + feather spray + fleur de lis pick in one spot, then repeat a smaller version on the other side.
- Finish with sparkle and height. Add ornaments, glitter picks, or mini jester hats tucked into the garland. Put the tallest pieces slightly off-center so your mantle has movement.
- Safety check if your fireplace works. Keep decor away from heat and flames, and use flameless candles if you want that cozy glow. If you use the fireplace often, keep the decor higher and more shallow.
Once the base is up, you can add more over time. That is why the most elaborate Mardi Gras mantle decor ideas look so good. They are built in layers instead of all at once.
You can do more shopping in our Mardi Gras storefront!
What Are The Best Decorations for a Mardi Gras Mantle?
If you are not from Louisiana, it can be hard to tell what counts as Mardi Gras decor versus “random purple party stuff.” These are the easiest, most recognizable Mardi Gras mantle decor ideas that instantly read as Carnival season.
- Ribbon and bows. Big bows are the fastest way to make your mantle look styled. Pick one main ribbon and repeat it so the whole mantle has a plan.
- Mardi Gras beads. Layer them over garland, drape them like swags, or pile them into bowls. Beads are iconic because they mimic parade throws.
- Masquerade masks. Masks scream Mardi Gras. Prop a large mask in the center, use smaller ones as accents, or tuck them into garland.
- Feathers and picks. Feather boas, sprays, and glitter picks add texture and movement, which is what makes mantles look full.
- Fleur de lis accents. This is a classic Louisiana symbol and it instantly gives your mantle that New Orleans vibe.
- Carnival lighting. String lights, mini spotlights, or flameless candles give you that glowy “parade night” feel without being Christmas.
- Jesters, crowns, or harlequin patterns. These are super recognizable Mardi Gras motifs and they photograph so well for pins.
- Gold anything. Metallic gold ornaments, gold spray, gold bead strands, gold ribbon, gold frames. Gold is the shortcut to wow.
When you’re ready to shop, peek at our curated picks in the Slowestuff storefront.
Mardi Gras Mantle FAQs:
You can start as early as right after New Year’s, especially if you love keeping the sparkle going after Christmas. A super common time is mid-January through early February. If you want the “correct” traditional start, many people kick things off on January 6.
Use Command hooks or mantle clips for garland, and then secure lighter items with removable mounting putty. If something keeps sliding, anchor it behind the garland with a twist tie or a hidden hook. For super light decor, painter’s tape on the back edge can help, but test first so it does not peel your finish.
Mardi Gras season runs from January 6 (Twelfth Night) through Fat Tuesday. Some people decorate the whole season, and some start later in January or early February. Either way, your mantle decor fits the moment as long as it is up before Fat Tuesday.
If your fireplace is working, keep garland and ribbon away from heat and flames, and avoid anything that hangs low in front of the opening. Flameless candles are a safer option than real flames on the mantle. If you use the fireplace often, choose a slimmer garland and place taller decor farther back.
Mardi Gras Mantle Gallery
We are obsessed with these Mardi Gras mantle decor ideas. No AI images here, y’all. These are real styled mantles from creators, and they are packed with color, texture, and major Carnival energy.
This gallery is the best place to spot what you like before you decorate. Some mantles go glam, some go classic, and some look like a parade showed up and never left. Scroll, screenshot your favorites, then build your own version with what you already have.
All creators are credited, and their Instagram page is linked to each picture, so please do check out their pages to see their other work too!
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included for convenience and ease of reference. If used for purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer.
Mardi Gras Mantle Supply Corner
If you want the easiest route: grab one bold ribbon, one bead strand pack, one base garland, and a handful of purple, green, and gold accents. That alone can get you a mantle that looks completely done.
Quick link to our entire storefront if you want to do a little browsing!
Find all the items featured on The Slowestuff's Blog posts all in one convenient location!
30 Mardi Gras Mantle Decor Ideas You Can Put Up Right After Christmas
I hope this post gave you a ton of inspiration to decorate your mantle with Mardi Gras decor this year, even if you have never celebrated Mardi Gras before.
Please definitely tag us with your creations! We would love to see them!
Looking for more seasonal inspiration? Check out our Mardi Gras section of the blog to find lots of great idea and inspo.
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⚜️🎭 Happy Mardi Gras, and Laissez les bon temps rouler!! 💜💚💛
Slowestuff
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