Things to Consider When Choosing Fireplace Mantle Designs

In earlier days, the grand fireplace was the most ornamental and most artistic feature of the room., Although the practicality of the grand fireplace has now lessened, its power to draw attention to itself still makes the fireplace a design tool for centering a spacious room. Instead of being a fully functional part of the room, the modern fireplace is now used to enhance interior space. Thus, the fireplace mantle design becomes the focal point for the interior decoration of the room

Also known as a chimneypiece, the fireplace mantle or mantelpiece was originally just a hood over the fireplace that was designed to catch the smoke and direct it out through the chimney. The term mantelpiece is now used to describe everything including the decorative framework around the fireplace.

Mantelpieces are manufactured using various materials including limestone, hardwood, stone, concrete and marble. The local home improvement store should be able to suggest what they have in stock and should help the homeowner pick the right material. Although most of the items available would be stock models that are simple and elegant, it shouldn?t be difficult to find the right manufacturer for a different design online.

Attention to detail is what defines a great mantel. The mantelpiece carvings typically match or compliment even the carving on the molding along the walls. An elaborately carved mantle on a fireplace would be strange in a casual family living room and so would a marble fireplace be on a wooden deck. A fireplace that seems out of sync with the interior décor should be a candidate for having a pre-fabricated mantle installed over it to make it match the room better.

Installing a pre-fabricated mantle is not easy. One should consider hiring an expert to do it or at least have an expert to guide the inexperienced person on how to do it.

Three of the most popular materials used for fireplace mantles today are hardwood, granite and marble. Hardwoods such as cherry or oak will give the room that country look and feel. Wood can give the fireplace a beautiful natural finish which is easily polished and stained to the exact natural looking color needed. One could even choose to bleach the wood for that rustic, country look.

Stone mantles, on the other hand, are beautiful and maintenance free. So much unlike wood that could burn scratch or lose its color, granite can be carved as finely as wood and still have the durable quality of stone.

However, probably the best material for great fireplace mantle designs is marble.  With numerous styles and colors to choose from, experts agree that marble is the best choice for fireplace designs because it is durable and because of its appearance. One problem is that it is the most expensive material of the three.

The mantle typically holds the picture frames and centerpieces which draw the attention of guests. These items usually act as conversational pieces, so a beautiful antique candelabra is sometimes placed there to highlight the design. Sometimes that could be all that the mantle needs.