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One of the best ways to add a stunning design aspect to your fireplace is to include a fireplace mantle into your plan. Fireplace mantles are not only a place to showcase and spotlight your favorite collectibles and heirlooms, but also a way to serve as a focal point in your room. Whether you use a simple mantle shelf or an entire series of built in units, the additions can greatly impact the look of your room. Before you begin building a fireplace mantle, look to popular ideas and trends that will allow you to create a look that is unique and usable.
For starters, consider a design of a fireplace mantle that best fits into the overall desired style of your room. Turn to unique accents and materials to complete the theme and use known design styles to replicate mantles from a certain area. If possible, consider using an antique mantle to surround your fireplace, but keep in mind certain changes may need to be made. Many antique models of fireplaces were designed to fit around smaller fire boxes, so they may not into the fire code of your area. If necessary, consider altering an antique fireplace mantle so that it can be used safely and your home applies to all necessary codes. If an antique fireplace mantle is not an option, consider looking to a cabinet maker in your area to recreate the desired look. A popular trend today is to use styles most affiliated with the mission or arts and crafts era. Both of these styles use natural woods and feature clean lines. Often, the cabinets included in the arts and craft style have clear or frosted glass for an added design feature and simple metal hardware. Typically, a fireplace mantle and built in units tend to be shorter and wider pieces, making them great for rooms without sky high ceilings while still allowing a great deal of storage capabilities. Another option is to use natural materials like stone to create a stunning fireplace mantle that will spotlight your entire room. These stone mantles are better for larger rooms, since their heaviness often dominates smaller rooms too greatly. For a contemporary look, consider using sleek marble or granite in the surround and mantle or use a softer slate or tiny river rocks for a more natural and inviting appearance. Although a fireplace mantle can easily be constructed out of stone, consider using another material to make a striking difference in the appearance. Regardless what type of fireplace mantle you choose to install in your home, take care in choosing the design elements that are included on the mantle itself. Choose items with special meanings, such as heirlooms or collections to spotlight on your mantle. For smaller rooms, hang a series of small pictures over the mantle and add a few accessories. Larger rooms may require a more dominant fireplace mantle decoration, so consider looking to design publications for unique ideas that can be easily incorporated into the design plan of your home. |
