Put Your Treasures on Display with Decorative Fireplace Mantel Shelves

A fireplace is so much more than just a hole in your wall where you can light a fire. It is a great focal point in the interior design of any home.
And with fireplace mantel shelves, you can incorporate design elements from your room as well as special family treasures. To get a clearer picture of what fireplace mantel shelves are, they are the ledges you see that jut out from the wall of the fireplace. Some fireplaces do not have them which are a shame because they are so versatile and can really set the tone of your room.
Fireplace mantel shelves can be made from a variety of materials, so there are numerous possibilities to choose from. Wood has long been the most popular material used but more and more home contractors these days have been utilizing other things like stone and brick. It is also trendy to use resources found locally. For instance, if you live close to a stone quarry, you might find some great deals on rough hewn rock that hasn't been cleaned or polished up. Many people going for a rustic look should consider this avenue.
For stone and brick fireplace mantel shelves, these materials are a lot easier to incorporate if you are in the process of building your entire fireplace. For an existing fireplace, you may likely have to consult with a local contractor to determine the best way to construct it if you plan to do the work yourself. Otherwise, it might be a smart move to hire someone who is a masonry expert to handle the job.
Wood is a friendlier material for the do-it-yourselfers. Plus, there are a number of ideas for creating wood fireplace mantel shelves. You can purchase kits which include all the screws, brackets and sometimes masonry drill bits for when you might have to mount the shelves on brick or rock fireplaces.
Other wood options include assimilating a large log cut length-wise in half.
Sometimes, a slab of rough hewn wood or even a beam can work. There are also expensive options like having your fireplace mantel shelves custom-made. It is important to note that if you plan to use any type of wood for your shelves that you should consult with your city's building inspectors for the rules of how far your mantel shelves can project out and how far away from the firebox they should be. You don't want a potential fire hazard in your home!
There is no right or wrong answer in regards to what type of materials can be used for your fireplace mantel shelves. It's the installation of the shelves where you need to be the most concerned. Just think though, your fireplace will cease to be just a hole in the wall. With the mantel shelves, your fireplace will draw the eye of every person who steps into your room. And being able to show off your family treasures and other decorative elements is a great reward.