Mantel Shelves In Your Decor

If you have decided that it is time to redecorate your living room and have decided on all of the decor you would like to use but feel restricted by the appearance of your fireplace you can always change the way your fireplace looks to match you new decor. In most homes with a fireplace you will find a mantel shelf of some kind above the fireplace. Many homes have the shelf built into the wall, but in many more homes you may find that the shelf is completely separate and "detachable." You can completely change the look of a room by replacing a dated mantel shelf with one that is made from a different material or is a completely different and updated design.

If your current fireplace does not have a shelf you can always add one and not only change the way the whole room looks, but add a shelf that you can use to display knick knacks, family photographs prominently for your family members and their guests to see when they are in the room, and as importand, a great place for holiday decorating! 

In most homes the mantel is made from hardwood such as cherry, maple or oak.  Some homes, especially those that were built for upscale owners have mantel shelves that are made from marble, glass or metals such as copper. Today you can find mantel shelves made in all of these materials and more as stone and cultured marble have become affordable alternatives for those who are looking for something a little different and more aesthetically pleasing.

When you decide it is time to add a mantel shelf or replace the one you already have there are a few things you should take into consideration. First and foremost is your budget, while it might be nice to have a hand carved natural marble shelf, this can cost several thousand dollars.  You can achieve the same look by selecting one made from cultured marble that will look just as beautiful for far less money or we offer some fine wood shelves with acanthus leaf and egg and dart molding designs ... designs fit for luxury homes.

You need to measure your fireplace as your new mantel shelf should be at least as long as the fireplace you plan to install it over, and in most cases this type of shelf will look better if it is a little longer than your fireplace, but it is a matter of personal taste. If you are planning to mount it directly to the wall, you need to make sure that the wall will support the weight and you may have to have reinforcements built into the wall if you plan to use stone or marble as they are both quite heavy. The most important decision of all is where you are going to buy your new shelf. You could go to your local discount superstore and purchase a particle board shelf covered with veneer. However, if you want to add a real touch of class there is only one company that can provide you with a truly beautiful and unique mantel shelf selection.  You need to let Design the Space help you find that one special shelf that is going to add the finishing touch to your redecorating project. From wood to marble they have what you are looking for or can custom build one for you.