Design Options For Fireplace Mantels

Fireplace mantels can be as simplistic as you want them to, but they can also be the key to bringing attention to your fireplace. When framed properly, a fireplace can be a great focal point for a room. There are many routes you can go to plan out a fireplace design and how your mantel is configured, and planning is just a matter of knowing what works for your space. Here are a few tips to make your fireplace look its best.

Large Mantels

If you have a large fireplace that needs some balance, a large fireplace mantel can be an ideal solution. This only works if you keep the large theme going though. Use 12 inch tiles or big bricks to frame the fireplace itself and then put a thick wooden mantel above it. If you want to go a different route, you can use wood to frame the edges that help pull the material from the large mantelpiece down to the floor a bit better.

Small Mantels

If your home fireplace is nothing more than an accessory in the room, you may need a mantel just big enough to put a row of candles or a few picture frames on. There are options for smaller mantels available in an array of materials, from iron to wood and much more. Use small tiles or textured paint to frame the mantel and sides of your small fireplace so the mantel does not seem out of place. Having a small mantel doesn’t have to be a negative if you set it up in the correct way.

Built in Shelves

You can put fireplace mantel shelves along the wall your fireplace is on if it is large enough. This can actually add monetary value to your home by adding storage, and it can provide decorative value for it by bringing a new focus to the space. If you do plan to put a built in shelving unit around your fireplace, make sure the shelves do not distract the viewer from the fireplace. If the wall seems too busy, consider adding doors to make the unit more solid in certain areas. Depending on the type of material you choose to use for your shelving, exotic or premium woods will not only add value but character as well. Make sure and finish off these rich woods with the right stain and you will be on your way to adding a custom feel to an ordinary living room or den.

Other Design Options

There are plenty of other fireplace mantel designs to explore, so all you have to do is think creatively. You could opt for a glass mantel, for instance, or one that acts as a light display at night. Many home owners today are mounting their flat screen TV’s above the fireplace since it is usually the focal point of the room. Be careful to make sure your fireplace is venting properly so that excess heat is not escaping the front of the fireplace and rising up towards the TV. This is a great option for TV placement but it can sometimes be tough getting a power outlet and cable TV routed up the fireplace. You’ll have to look at your home to see whether or not this option will work for you.

Whatever you choose to use, make sure the fireplace mantels or appliance’s your are considering will be able to withstand the heat of the fireplace. You could put your home in danger if you do not consider this ahead of time.

The Various Fireplace Accessories For Your Home

If your home has a fireplace then you have probably shopped for some fireplace accessories to use with it. The various kinds of items you can use in conjunction with a fireplace can be functional or decorative. Most fireplaces have some type of screen or protective element in front of it. This can also be fireplace doors which might be constructed of glass. The doors made of glass can come as plain styles or with decorative etchings on them. These are generally used with units that are built-in to a home when it is constructed.

Fireplace mantels are also items which are generally built-in when the fireplace is installed in the home. A mantel is the top portion above a fireplace which usually has a broad shelf like area. The design for a mantel can be one which is made of wood or stone. Wood is a common material for the mantel and it is often used to place decorative centerpiece items on as a focal point for the room. A stone mantel may not protrude as far out from the base wall as a wood one and is often left unadorned.

In the line of fireplace accessories you will find several styles of fireplace tools to choose from. The tools come as a set which is placed on one side of your fireplace unit. The set will contain a brush, shovel, poker and tongs. These are all items used in placing logs and cleaning the area. You will also find several types of log holders or baskets you might use. These items are generally placed on the opposite side of the tools. All of the fireplace accessories are available in the popular black cast iron material as well as a few other styles such as brass or wood.

If the home you live in does not have a built-in fireplace you can still get the beauty and heat of having a traditional unit by purchasing one of several types of electric fireplaces. These items come as free standing units which can be placed against a wall or set in the middle of the room, depending on the design. The come with the same styles and features as the built-in items, but are more cost efficient and easy to use. They are available in different sizes ranging from an 18 inch unit to a large 33 inch one. A well designed fireplace will provide an attractive addition to any room it is in.