A mantelpiece can be different things to different people. On vacation, it can be the place where you carefully hang your stockings in the hope of waking up to more than just lumps of coal. It can also be a shelf to display your family photos and decorative pieces. Or the mantel can highlight a large mirror or piece of art that hangs above it. Whichever way you look at it, space is important, so the choice of fireplace mantel is an essential detail to complete the look.

While a single piece that mounts over the fireplace, fireplace mantels add definition and enhance any home. Mantel shelf designs are as diverse as fireplace styles, ranging from rustic to elegant. Made of wood, stone or marble, you have many options, depending on your personal taste.

Material Options

Your first decision is based on the material. Marble adds elegance, as does polished hardwood. Some woods and stones give a rustic and robust feeling. Choose the material that best accents the fireplace and the room. The mantelpiece shelves should blend in, not overpower, and should not add such an initial contrast that it interrupts the comfortable flow of the area.

If you decide that wood is the best option, look for quality hardwoods, such as maple, oak, and cherry. The wood must be as durable as the fireplace itself.

Due to the location directly above a heat source, make sure the shelf material meets the safety standards of the National Fire Code.

elegant options

When deciding on the design, think of the fireplace shelves as a piece of furniture. Because it is a focal point of the room, you should pay as much attention to the mantel as you do to the sofa, tables, and other furniture in the room. They should all complement each other, from style to finish (grinded, polished, painted or stained).

Fortunately, the popularity of fireplace mantels means that you have a wide range of styles to choose from, so you can certainly find the mantel that is aesthetically pleasing in your decor. Your shelf can be simple, elegant, dramatic, or even farmhouse chic.

Wood Fireplace Shelves are available in a variety of natural colors. You can also choose a shelf that is ready to be painted in the color of your choice, giving you the option to change the look of the shelf when you redecorate the room.

Some mantel shelves reflect a more colonial style, like the Lexington from Pearl Mantels. This expansive pine mantel is ideal for homes that want their mantel to reflect a legacy of rugged simplicity. Pearl’s other mantelpieces run the full design spectrum, with the Auburn looking classically beautiful and the Devonshire looking like a carved antique.

Mantel shelves can also incorporate more features, such as Abingdon by Pearl Mantel, which has a central sliding drawer, ideal for storing candles, matches and keepsakes.

sizing it

Before making your final decision among the many fireplace shelves available, consider the size that best fits your space. Most standard fireplace shelves come in lengths from 50 to 90 inches, but custom shelves can be made to your specifications.

Measure the height and width of the fireplace and hearth. Height is important because the mantelpiece must be in proportion to the fireplace below. A deep shelf above a smaller fireplace will only make it smaller.

Then look at the length of the wall space around it. The mantel does not need to be limited to the length of the fireplace. For a more dramatic look, consider mantelpieces that extend well beyond the edges of the fireplace, especially if you have a long wall to accommodate more length.

installation tips

Most fireplace mantels are easy to install, as long as you follow the instructions and have the necessary tools. You need to make sure you mount it to wood studs and that the shelf is mounted a safe distance above the fireplace. The National Fire Protection Association recommends at least six inches above the chimney opening. Deeper shelves that extend out more than an inch and a half beyond that opening should be installed at least a foot above to prevent fire hazards. These are minimal; You can certainly move the mantel shelf higher up, but keep it at eye level if you’re going to display items there.

Finally, remember that fireplace shelves are not limited to the fireplace. These beautiful shelves can add a stylish display to any room in your home.