A mantelpiece can be different things to different people. At holiday time, it can be the place where you hang your stockings neatly 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 mantelpiece can highlight a large mirror or a piece of art that hangs above it. Whichever way you look at it, space is important, so the choice of fireplace shelves is an essential detail to complete the look.
While a single piece that mounts above the fireplace, fireplace shelves 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. The marble adds elegance, as does the polished hardwood. Some woods and stones give a rustic and robust feeling. Choose the material that best accentuates the fireplace and the room. Mantel shelves should blend in, not overpower, and shouldn’t add such 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 should be as durable as the fireplace itself.
Due to the location directly over a heat source, make sure the mantel material meets National Fire Code safety standards.
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 all need to complement each other, from styling to finish (roughed, polished, painted or stained).
Fortunately, the popularity of fireplace shelves means that you have a wide range of styles to choose from, so you can certainly find the shelf 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 paint in the color of your choice, giving you the option to change the look of the shelf when redecorating the room.
Some fireplace shelves reflect a more colonial style, like the Lexington by Pearl Mantels. This wide pine mantel is ideal for homes that want their mantel to reflect a heritage of rugged simplicity. Pearl’s other mantels cover the full design spectrum, with Auburn looking classically beautiful and Devonshire looking like a carved antique.
Mantel shelves can also incorporate more features, such as Abingdon by Pearl Mantel, which has a sliding center drawer, ideal for storing candles, matches and keepsakes.
sizing it up
Before making your final decision among the many available fireplace shelves, consider the size that will best fit 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 mantel needs to be in proportion to the fireplace below. A deep shelf above a smaller fireplace will only dwarf it.
Next, look at the length of the wall space that surrounds 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 past the edges of the fireplace, especially if you have a long wall to accommodate more length.
Installation Tips
Most fireplace shelves 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 outward more than an inch and a half beyond that opening should be installed at least one foot above to avoid fire hazards. These are minimal; You can certainly move the mantel shelf higher, 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.
