Designing and Building Fireplace Mantels

If you have a beautiful large fireplace than you could experience problems to find a large enough mantle to accommodate the larger than average firebox—consider making a custom mantle. With the wide range of mantel parts such as wood carvings you can find on our website, you can make your very own mantle that fits not only your fireplace, but also your style and exact specifications. The best part of the whole process is that you will be able to install in one piece.

If you are drawing a blank on what design to go with, than you should simply look through our inspiration gallery for some ideas. All of our wood fireplace mantles are inspired by historical designs and constructed in the meticulous details. Most of the parts that you would need to build your beautiful new mantle could be readily purchased on our website.

There is no formula in designing your mantle except for only a few basic criteria. As a safety regulation, there should be enough space between the fireplace opening and combustible parts of the mantel. You should consult the local fire-safety codes for exact measurements. Any other considerations are based on the type of fireplace that you have and whatever mantle style that you have in mind. Any number of combinations could be made with the mantle pats that we provide.

Mantel parts you might choose for the sides of traditional wooden mantels

Four-fluted pilasters used on the sides of the Sacramento fireplace mantel. Oval rosettes adorn the square upper blocks on each side of the fireplace mantel adding some detail and charm to the overall look of the fireplace.

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Augusta fireplace mantels are another example of a mantel designed with fluted pilasters on the sides

Providence mantel features beautiful fluted half-column with intricate running coin trim used used as a decorative side element of the fireplace mantel. These fireplace mantels designed with square plinth bases that add visual weight to the mantel, making it look a bit more substantial and making it an important cornerstone of the house.

Above fluted half-column a square upper blocks on each side are added to provide an additional support to the fireplace mantel shelf. The top blocks are decorated with round carved wood rosettes.

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Panels are a very popular as a side treatment for the fireplace mantels. Recessed panels often framed with thin decorative trim. Vertical carved wood onlays can be applied inside each panel.

Charlotte fireplace mantels and Tampa fireplace mantels are showcasing elegant floral and leaf drops inside the side panels. Charlotte fireplace mantels have a recessed central panel as well. Mantel's frieze magnificently carved with an impressive swags motif. If these fireplace mantels are too elaborate for the style of the home you might want to take a look on the Craftsman style fireplace mantels (shown below) which are just as elegant, but could fit seamlessly with your simple decor.

Craftsman style fireplace mantel (shown on the right), is wonderful example of a paneled mantel. The frieze on the mantel decorated with one horizontal raised panel. The sides of this fireplace mantel have vertical recessed panels trimmed with simple wood molding. The shelf is supported by four simple bracket—which makes is another way to add the beauty without adding the weight of detail.

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The wood columns for fireplace mantels can be fluted, reeded, middle section of the columns can have a carved decorative design.

Delaware mantel features hand-carved wood half-columns with acanthus leaf on the top and the bottom of the column. The middle part adorned with the bend featuring carved running coin motif. Above half-columns you can see a square upper blocks with carved-out centers, creating a recessed panel look with decorative rosette center.

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If the side view of the fireplace mantel is important in the particular interior setting, you might consider using a whole- or a quarter-column on the sides of your fireplace mantel.

The mantle parts used for the Baltimore mantle were quarter-columns with elegant uprising scrolled acanthus leaf capitals. This configuration of traditional fireplace mantel components provides eye pleasing view of the mantel from any angle.

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Great example of a mantel with whole columns as a structural and decorative element of the fireplace mantel. Fluted column with Ionic capital and "egg and dart" design featured as a part of Pensacola fireplace mantel. You can choose from our complementing mantel parts as a way to enhance the design.

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The plinths and bases add architectural weight to the fireplace mantels, pilasters and columns as do top blocks and capitals. Square-edged plinths and blocks also serve as fireplace mantel projections for wrappings with molding as well as for an additional support for fireplace mantelshelf. Shelf can be supported with decorative corbels as well. Four elegant corbels support shelf of the stately Marietta fireplace mantels. Frieze panel features carved in a deep relief scrolled leaf design.

The front frieze mantel's panel can receive almost any type of decoration. Just remember, that traditional fireplace mantels' styling calls for symmetry and balance. Try using simple and highly decorative mantle parts to have a cohesive fusion design.

For large fireplace mantels use of central block helps break up the frieze and can project for additional molding or carved onlays details. Structure of Pensacola fireplace mantels and Annapolis fireplace mantels is a good example of center block use.

Design of Annapolis mantel's featured parts include raised side and center blocks adorned with intricate carvings. Central block on the central panel of the fireplace mantel brakes up long frieze, adds an extra definition to the center panel, and allows for additional fireplace mantel embellishments. Two beautiful solid hardwood half-columns with rising leaf and Ionic capital were used on both sides of the mantel.

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