Fireplace Mantels
Fireplace mantels, whether they are modern, classic or antique, have become the key focal point for setting the decorative style and atmosphere of a room. Therefore, when you choose a mantel, the decorative frame around your fireplace, you are making a strong design statement in your room. Fortunately, fireplace mantels are available in many styles, allowing you to choose one that fits your decor perfectly.
Custom Mantels
Custom mantels are a great way to personalize your space or update the look of your fireplace. Installing a unique fireplace mantel ensure the best fit and most consistent interior design that matches your taste, especially if you are remodeling an older home with an established design theme or style. You will be able to find many online specialty stores offering to make a huge variety of custom mantels to decorate any fireplace. Regardless of material, off-the-shelf mantels always offer savings over custom-made models, but the extra care taken to fit the mantel to the room’s specific needs can pay off in a truly beautiful focal point for your room.
Antique Mantels
For centuries, fireplace mantels have stood at the heart of the American home. Timeless and sophisticated antique mantels came to mirror the various architectural styles prevalent in the United States at different times. So if you are seeking a historical classicism for your interior design, one of the best ways is to set up an antique fireplace mantel. You can expect to find antique fireplace mantels in a wide range of styles and conditions through salvage yards or antique dealers. Antique mantels were not built for today’s fireplaces and are generally narrower than what modern fireboxes and fire codes require. Sometimes an old wood mantel can be reworked by adding accent pieces to make it larger or by trimming the head or legs a bit to make it smaller. Too much reworking, however, could ruin the proportions and originality of the mantel. When shopping for antique mantels, you are always better off if you can find one with the closest fit.
Pre-fabricated Mantels
Another option is to buy a new, pre-fabricated fireplace mantel. Pre-fabricated mantels are pre-built frames for your wall that you can simply purchase and then adhere to the wall. Depending on the material used, pre-fabricated mantels are generally cheaper and also easier to install. You can choose wood, stone, limestone, marble, or cast-stone mantels in a variety of styles and finishes. Faux mantels that are made of much lighter materials such as plaster or plastic are another option choice. You can often paint, faux finish, or stain your pre-fabricated mantel as desired.
Mantel Shelves
For simple fireplace needs, a mantel shelf may provide just the right accent. Often, mantel shelves are used to accent brick walls and create simple enhancements to fireplace settings. Mantel shelves are usually made of wood or stone and may be plain or carved. Wood Mantel Shelves are very easy to install and are the least expensive. Some people may prefer stone fireplace mantel shelves because they are more durable, require less maintenance, and are not flammable.