A mantelpiece can be different things to different people. At vacation time, it may be the place where you carefully hang your stockings in hopes 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 accentuate a large mirror or a piece of art hanging above it. However you look at it, space is important, so the choice of mantel shelves is an essential detail to complete the look.

Although it is a single piece that mounts over your fireplace, mantel shelves add definition and enhance any home. The designs of mantel shelves are as diverse as the styles of the fireplaces themselves, ranging from rustic to elegant. Crafted from wood, stone or marble, you have many options, depending on your personal taste.

Material options

Your first decision is based on the material. Marble adds elegance, as does polished wood. Some woods and stones give a rustic and robust touch. Choose the material that best accentuates the fireplace and the room. The mantel shelves should blend in, not overpower, and shouldn’t add such a striking contrast that it disrupts 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 above a heat source, make sure the mantel material meets the National Fire Code safety standards.

Stylish choices

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 fireplace shelf as you do to the sofa, tables, and other furniture in the room. All should complement each other, from style to finish (rough carved, 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 décor. Your shelf can be simple, elegant, dramatic, or even farmhouse chic.

Wood Shelf Shelves are available in a variety of natural colors. You can also choose a shelf that’s ready to paint in your desired color, giving you the option to change the look of the mantel when you redecorate the room.

Some mantels reflect a more colonial style, such as the Lexington by Pearl Mantels. This spacious pine mantel is ideal for homes that want their mantel to reflect a heritage of rugged simplicity. Pearl’s other shelves cover the entire design spectrum, with classic Auburn and Devonshire beauty that looks like a carved antique.

The mantel shelves can also incorporate more features, such as the Abingdon by Pearl Mantel, which has a sliding center drawer, ideal for storing candles, matches and souvenirs.

Evaluating it

Before making your final decision among the many shelf shelves available, consider the size that will best suit your space. Most standard shelf shelves come in 50 to 90-inch lengths, but custom shelves can be designed to your specifications.

Measure the height and width of the fireplace and hearth. Height is important because the mantel shelf needs to be proportional to the fireplace below. A deep shelf over a smaller fireplace will only make it smaller.

Next, look at the length of the wall space around it. The mantel shelf doesn’t have to be limited to the length of your hearth. For a more dramatic look, consider mantel shelves that extend well beyond 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 must ensure that it is mounted on wooden posts and that the shelf is mounted at a safe distance above the fireplace. The National Fire Protection Association recommends at least six inches above the chimney opening. Deepest shelves that extend outward more than one and a half inches 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 are going to display items there.

Finally, remember that mantel shelves are not limited to the fireplace. These beautiful shelves can add a stylish display to any room in your home.