If your fireplace has provided you with years of service to keep your household warm, perhaps it’s time to give it some of the attention that it deserves. Maybe you can have a professional look at it and carry out any repairs it might need, or you might even go all-out and give it a complete makeover!
If you go for the latter, one of the best ways you can refresh your fireplace is by giving it a brand new mantelpiece. Now, picking a mantel is no easy task. With so many options available, this task can be a little daunting. To help you out, we will give you a few things to consider to let you more easily decide.
When it comes to a mantelpiece’s size, you will have to consider its length, depth, and height. This ensures that the mantel is safe to work with and that it perfectly fits the space.
In terms of length, this will be how far your fireplace mantel stretches from one end to the other. Some people like it go from wall to wall, while others like it smaller. The length will be your choice, but a good guideline to follow is to opt for something over 12 inches.
The face height and depth will affect how the mantel will fit your room. In large homes, you want a mantel with a face height of around six inches—or slightly less in a smaller home. As for the depth, you want to ensure that you still have space to move around in front. A depth of approximately 11 inches will usually be fine.
Finally, when it comes to height, you want the mantel to be around four to five feet off the floor. This allows you to hang stuff from the mantel and comply with housing codes.
With the sizing all done, you can now consider the style of your mantel. To do this, you would want to take a look at your room first.
If your room leans towards traditional design, then you can opt for a mantel with brown hues to fit the aesthetics. On the other hand, if your room is more contemporary and modern, a sleeker mantel in hues of black or white will fit perfectly.
That said, always experiment and do not be afraid to be creative! We highly recommend that you add something that contrasts with its surroundings. For instance, if most of your furniture is light in hue, opt for a dark-coloured mantel instead. This will help you create a fireplace that is the centrepiece of the home, which is the main goal here!
While we have only mentioned two things you have to consider, you will have to put a lot of thought into them. They are vital in helping you pick the right mantel to fit your needs and create a home that you are proud to call yours.
With that said, if you are having trouble deciding on the next new mantel for your fireplace, you can easily have experts come over and custom-make one for you! That way, you get the best result possible, as precisely what you have envisioned can be made a reality.
Are you looking for custom woodworking in Guelph to help build your fireplace mantel? Beavers Building offers woodworking services that cover a range of products, from railings to furniture. Send us a message to learn more about what we do.
