Choosing The Best Decorate Fireplace Mantel
So, you're in the market to purchase a new decorate fireplace mantel? Good -- we're here to help you sort through all of the various choices and options. If you keep these design ideas in mind, you should have a much easier job in making a good choice --
The first thing you want to do when selecting a decorate fireplace mantel is to decide on the type of mantel you want. Most manufacturers and dealers of decorate fireplace mantles will offer you several options: basic fireplace mantel shelves, which are generally just a single beam that spans the upper part of your fireplace, or decorate fireplace mantel surrounds, which includes the upper mantle shelf, and vertical supports which extend downward from each end of the mantel shelf, and rest on the floor at the front of your fireplace.
Another thing to take into consideration when you choose your decorate fireplace mantel is the kind of material you want it to be made from -- there are several different materials available, including solid wood fireplace mantles, wood composite mantles, and cast stone, or marble decorate mantles.
Keep in mind that the size and type of your decorate fireplace mantel, as well as the materials used in its construction, will determine its price tag. All other things being equal, a decorate fireplace mantel that is a single shelf, will cost less than a mantel surround; and a wooden decorate fireplace mantel will normally cost far less than one made from marble or stone. For example, a decorate fireplace mantel that is a simple shelf might cost less than $100 -- or over $1000 -- depending on the size, materials used, and the details of its design (a hand-carved decorate fireplace mantel would, of course, cost more than one that was made without detailed carvings). In general, the most expensive decorate fireplace mantle will be surround mantles -- and you can literally pay thousands of dollars for a surround mantel that uses specialty woods, or incorporates intricate designs. You can also choose your decorate fireplace mantel according to the style -- you can buy a decorate fireplace mantel in a traditional style such as Victorian, or you can choose a decorate fireplace mantle that incorporates a colonial design (colonial-style mantels have a very "squared off" look, reminiscent of the Federalist period of furniture-making). On the other hand, you can also choose a decorate fireplace mantel in a contemporary design -- this stresses simple design and clean lines -- and it is a great choice for those with newer homes, or newly-refurbished rooms that have been remodeled to give them a contemporary look.
| 