Fireplace Mantels Can Make or Break the Interior Design of a Room

Fireplace mantels can make or break the interior design of a room whether you use your fireplace or not. Because a fireplace takes up a large section of a wall or dominate a corner, they naturally draw the eye when you first walk into a room. Go for the "cool" factor by incorporating a great design or material in your mantel.

Inlay is frequently used in production of decorative furniture, where pieces of colored wood or metal are inserted into the veneer. Using this technique can create a one-of-a-kind piece suitable for display.Use a Polyurethane not Oil FinishThis is especially attractive option if the mantel area is an odd shape.Use a Raised Panel or Glass TopMany fireplace mantels are made from non-flammable materials for safety and can be incorporated into the design until it butts into the opening of the firebox. No facing is needed. However, if you decide to use other materials like plaster, drywall, fiberboard or wood, you will have to use a noncombustible material to create a facing that frames the firebox. Consult with your local building safety inspectors to determine the measurements of this facing to avoid creating a fire hazard.Use Solid Wood not VeneerHowever, expect custom jobs to be pricey.

Do-it-yourselfers can also give existing fireplace mantels a cosmetic facelift. This could be anything from simply painting the brick or resurfacing it with a thin stone veneer. Plastering or drywalling over an existing mantel are other options. Theoretically, you are only limited by your imagination and of course, your wallet! Just think things through before setting the wheels in motion for your mantel re-do.

Author: Jon Malech