Welcome to the wonderful world of fireplace mantels and fireplace mantel ideas. A mantel shelf is more than just a piece of wood mounted above your hearth. It's the perfect accent you place on your home. The mantel is where you place your most prized possessions, pictures of loved ones, and even where you hang your stockings at Christmas time. That's why you need to select a fireplace mantel that reflects the design of your home, fits well with your fireplace, and has enough space to accommodate the possessions you want to place on it.
However, selecting the perfect mantel piece is not an easy job, especially if you're fresh out of fireplace mantel ideas or have no clue what your options are. Use this fireplace mantel buying guide to help you find and select the best mantel shelf for your home.
Types of Fireplace Mantels
When it comes to selecting a fireplace mantel, you definitely have choices. Today, mantels come in many different types of material, shapes, sizes, and construction. Modern design has pushed the boundaries of fireplace mantel design farther than ever before.
Common makes of fireplace mantels include wood, marble and stone. If you want your mantel to blend in perfectly, these are the things you need to consider:
The size of your fireplace.
The wall space available.
The décor of the room.
All three of these elements come into play with a fireplace mantel.
The size of your fireplace: This is probably the most crucial element you need to keep in mind when browsing fireplace mantel ideas and possibilities. You want to measure all dimensions of your fireplace and have them on-hand. The last thing you want to do is guess on the size - you might end up with a mantel that's too short or too tall.
The wall space available: The amount of wall space available will dictate the maximum size you can get. It's not uncommon to have a mantel shelf that extends past the width of the fireplace. If you want a long fireplace mantel shelf, measure how much wall space you have. As they say, measure twice, cut once (in this case, it's measure twice, buy once - you don't want to end up with a mantel that's too long and have to go back and buy another).
The décor of the room: This is where you narrow down your fireplace mantel ideas. Once you start shopping around, you'll quickly discover that you have a ton of colors, shapes, sizes, makes, materials, and appearances to choose from. So, always consider the décor of the room where the mantel will be mounted. You want your fireplace mantel to accent your fireplace and blend with the room. If you're looking for a fireplace mantel for a cabin, stick with the antique, rugged models, if that's the décor of the room. Picking a mantel shelf that doesn't blend with the room can turn an exquisite mantel into an eye sore.
Lisa Becker is an avid home decorator and writes for Fireplace Mantels 123: Shop For Your Perfect Fireplace Mantel and Surround. Her expertise regarding fireplace mantels and surrounds provides insight into the world of interior design and home decorating. For more articles, visit Fireplace Mantels 123 Articles.
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