Fireplace Mantels Essentials

The Basics about Fireplace Mantels

When you envision the perfect home, a warm cozy living room with a fireplace is almost always included in the picture.

A stone fireplace with the perfect mantel completes any home. When you think of what you need for the mantel, different people have different ideas.

For some, a painting of a field on a warm summer day hanging above the mantel with family photos in antique frames on the mantel completes the warm cozy feeling of the room. For others, having new age décor is more the style that they want.

When you have a fireplace mantel, the holidays can be an especially fun time. You can decorate according to the season, in fun innovative decorations and ideas.

"so many choices for a fireplace mantel that actually making the choice will be difficult..."

Of course, Christmas is the most fun holiday to decorate your mantel. You can use lights and hang Christmas stockings, but for the mantel, you can lay out boughs of holly and seasonal flowers can add a fun festive look to your room.

There are so many different things that you can do with a fireplace mantel. It all depends on the individual tastes of the homeowner.

Fireplace mantels can be made of different materials and different styles. Many different cultures have contributed to fireplace mantels. Greek, Roman and even Italian are a few of the different styles to choose from.

The most chosen material for a fireplace mantel is Mahogany. It is sturdy and durable and if it is taken care of properly, it will last for generations. Other woods, such as walnut and elm, are also popular choices.

For those who want a rustic look, stone and concrete fireplaces are also available. The most expensive of all fireplace mantels is marble. This material adds a uniquely elegant appearance to any room.

There are so many choices today for a fireplace mantel that actually making the choice will be difficult, as well as time consuming.

A big factor in deciding which fireplace is right for you will be the price. Fireplace mantel can be extremely expensive. Stone and wood fireplace mantels start at around seven hundred dollars for just a bare, basic mantel. When you add in the details that you are looking for, it can result in a bill of several thousand dollars.

There is an alternative to this enormous expense. There are fireplace mantel kits on the market that allow the do-it-yourselfer to create the fireplace mantel of their dreams. The kits start at about two hundred and fifty dollars.

A fireplace mantel can define whom we are just by the decorations that are set on it. No matter what you do with yours, it is guaranteed to create the look and feel that you want. It is recommended that the do-it-yourselfer be experienced and not a novice. It is also important to remember that not all fireplace mantels can be attached with screws and bolts. There are special glues on the market that are made just for fireplaces. These can be found at any supply store.