24 Oct DIY Mantel Projects: Build a Stunning Focal Point for Your Fireplace

As the mercury drops in the Quad Cities, it’s time for homeowners to prepare to gather family and friends together to make some new holiday memories. While planning your seasonal get-togethers, consider a fireplace mantle makeover. Our DIY mantle projects help you reimagine your hearth and home and create a stunning focal point for your fireplace. Cozy and charming or chic and modern, these DIY mantel projects add character and increase the value of your home.

DIY Mantel Projects that Complement Your Style

A fireplace can be the main feature in any room if done correctly. It can also be an eyesore if it appears outdated or worn out. The simple act of sprucing up your fireplace with easy weekend DIY projects can turn your unsightly and unattractive hearth into your home’s most stunning focal point. The key is to decide on the look you wish to achieve, and with that design in mind, create a plan for your project.

The Minimalist Floating Mantel: A Clean and Contemporary Aesthetic

Clean lines and simple forms are the way to achieve a minimalist, yet style-forward, look. When it comes to DIY mantel projects, this is easy to achieve. A sleek floating shelf that uses wood or marble draws attention to the open space surrounding it and allows you to highlight well-placed art or decor.

A floating wood mantel can be painted in bold colors to further your modern style, creating a unique focal point. Marble promotes a more formal aesthetic. Cast stone, finished solid wood, and even metal work well depending on your personal sense of style. 

This sophisticated and clean look has a simple nuance and works splendidly in open floor plan homes. However, it can also look empty and a bit too understated without the proper mantel styling and decor, or if the room is fairly large with high ceilings. 

Simple, Modern, Shiplap

Shiplap is an easy and versatile way to make your fireplace stand out, and, as DIY mantel projects go, this is a fairly straightforward endeavor. Begin by installing your shiplap planks in the area above your fireplace mantel. 

For a simple and modern shiplap fireplace focal point, a basic floating shelf mantel works best. You can build a hollow box beam fairly easily. Paint your shiplap and mantel in contrasting colors for a stunning fireplace that’s simple and modern, and provides a beautiful focal point.

Craftsman Style For a Huge Impact

Traditional craftsman-style fireplace designs are simply stunning, given the right aesthetic. These designs suit DIY mantel projects when you want a fireplace that combines natural beauty with artisanal elements. The mantel is a prominent feature in this fireplace design and can be ornate, complementing the stone, brick, or tile of the hearth. 

Some craftsman fireplaces incorporate functional elements like built-in bookcases, shelves, or storage. The warmth of a craftsman fireplace is achieved through the use of wood surrounds that complement the tile within,  or brick or stone with a natural beam. In any case, a craftsman-style fireplace is definitely a stunning focal point. Consider any of the craftsman DIY mantel projects if your fireplace is the main focal point of the room.  

A Floating Beam for Rustic Charm

If time is a factor when considering DIY mantel projects, or if you want a budget-friendly fireplace makeover, a rustic floating beam can give your fireplace a glow-up without breaking the bank. Your floating beam is easy to build and easy to install. This look works with practically any aesthetic. 

Floating beams create a rustic focal point that’s simple. You can ‘zhuzh’ it up with your selection of decor, or keep it basic, hanging art above, or even a large flat screen. It’s your mantel, your way.

Now for Your Mantel Decor

What sets your mantel apart and draws your guests’ eyes to your fireplace? The mantel decor. Here are some suggestions to complement DIY mantel projects.

• Paintings and Artwork: Nothing personalizes a fireplace mantel more than your favorite art piece. Hang a painting above your mantel or place a favorite piece front and center.

• Flowers: A vase of fresh flowers adds a touch of elegance to your mantel. Houseplants in a decorative pot bring a natural element to the fireplace decor. Even dried flowers or high-end artificial ones make a lovely addition to your fireplace mantel.

• Mirrors: If you don’t intend to hang artwork above your fireplace mantel, consider a decorative mirror. Oval or square mirrors, or, for a midcentury modern aesthetic, irregularly shaped or geometric mirrors, lend themselves to the space above your fireplace and make your room appear more open.

If you want to wake up your tired fireplace or give your outdated mantel a makeover, DIY mantel projects are the answer. Contact Seiffert Building Supplies today and let us help you find the right mantel project to build a stunning focal point for your fireplace.

Image: Pixabay