Fireplace Mantels

When getting ready to either design a fireplace mantel or you are looking to buy a new one, make sure to consider a few points about design, materials and use. For the most part, people usually think of a wood mantel when it comes to fireplace design. This is certainly a common material that has many useful elements about it. However, you can get fireplace mantels that are made of stone or other materials. Also, the fireplace hearth is something to think about. Many will be made of a stone material and this helps to resist fire hazards as well.

Some more decorative mantels even have what you might consider to be a more interpretive mantel. That is to say, the mantel is not a traditional shelf in that sense. Some mantels consist of a mounted piece of large driftwood or some metal sculptural piece that is simply hung above the fireplace. While there is no certain rule for mantel design, the idea is to allow it to be an expression of your taste or your room's style, like any other piece of art you might hang. Fireplace screens are another way in which you can express this style. In fact, matching your screens with a nice set of fireplace tools will make your whole fireplace theme really make your focal point pop.

If you are like most people, then you will be using your fireplace mantel to highlight your favorite little things. Some people choose to go with photos of friends, family or inspiring figures to them. Others will choose to hang a favorite painting just above the mantel and save room on the mantel itself for other objects.

As you can imagine if have a fireplace in your current home, the mantel becomes a place where you can highlight your favorite objects. You can rotate them on and off of display as you find something else that strikes your fancy or is more seasonal. The point is, fireplace mantels almost serve as a place to highlight what you are interested in.

Just like the mantel itself, the objects you place there will reflect part of who you are. This is why fireplace designs are so crucial to the space. If you aren't able to use it how you would like, then the mantel is not serving its intended function. If your mantel is lacking what you would like, know that you can remodel it just as you would any other home improvement project. In fact, there is a video clip below giving you an idea just how transformative such a fireplace design makeover can be.

You can have your mantel designed with wood, metal, and both natural stone or cultured stone products. Your mantel should be designed to reflect what you are most inspired by in the space. You should also consider the theme you are trying to achieve of course. For many, wood is the material of choice. You can understand why. It is much simpler to work with as far as crafting goes. Depending upon the design, it can have more simple and clean lines or be very ornately carved and detailed. Wood is also warming in and of itself, so even when there is no fire burning, the character of your wood fireplace mantel will still radiate.

Another option and one that is becoming more popular is the use of stone. In the west, many modern homes are using cultured stone products on the exterior of the homes and this is being carried to the fireplace surround as well.

This type of fireplace mantel really is in a different class because of the type of carvings that are possible with this material. Unlike wood, stone mantels are usually highly carved and detailed. A more simple stone mantel is also possible that relies on the use of the natural stone materials to make the mantel and fireplace surround.

This type can have a more rustic feel using medium-sized boulders and stones to make the fireplace feel more like being at a cabin or seaside escape. This is how many older fireplaces looked. It was more common to have the fireplace surround made with stone in this way and have a wood piece for the mantel itself. Now, mantels also consist of natural stone products like limestone, slate and even concrete in more contemporary homes.

But, for a truly elegant and refined look, getting a carved stone fireplace surround and mantel will set your fireplace off very nicely. This type of look will definitely make a statement in your space. Combine your beautiful looking stone fireplace with a nice handsome set of tools for your fireplace and you will be looking good.  You can see two very different yet equally pleasing styles at right.

Just so you can see what is possible, this video shows you an example of a company that makes some pretty neat looking and functional pieces for today's home owners.

Thought you might like to see how a remodel of a fireplace mantel unit goes together.  It doesn't take much to create a totally different look with a little wood and a few screws.  Note, there is a difference between the quality and craftsmanship of the first video when compared to this one.