Easy DIY Fireplace Mantel

A DIY fireplace mantel doesn’t have to be a big project.  It can be done on a small budget and a little bit of time.

FIREPLACE BEFORE

When we moved into our home, I knew that something had to change about this fireplace.  I wasn’t quite sure what.  But the medieval look definitely needed to go.  {For the first sneak peek we gave of our home, click HERE.}

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DIY FIREPLACE MANTEL PROCESS

The first step was to cover up the grates that basically just blew cold winter air into our living room.  {Click HERE to see that entire makeover.}  Once it was all pretty and painted up, I could see that this project needed to be taken a step further: a easy DIY fireplace mantel.

To keep the cost and the project time down, the solution we came up with was perfect.  We would simply cover {box-in} the existing mantel.  It really did just need a bigger mantel to balance out the height of the stone.  And it also needed contrast from the freshly painted white.  So, a simple boxed-in DIY fireplace mantel would work perfectly!

Using only 5 cuts of “common board” from The Home Depot, my two carpenters “built” a new fireplace mantel.

Basically a board was added to the top, with a small filler piece in the back to cover up the gap.

Once that was in place, the front and two sides were nailed in place.

And ta-da!  Our easy DIY fireplace mantel!

All that was left for me to do was to stain the wood.  In order to add the warmth that I was looking for without overpowering the room, I settled on Minwax Early American.

FIREPLACE MANTEL AFTER

The proportion of this DIY fireplace mantel suits the room.  It definitely needed more width to counter balance the height of the stone.

It has also been much more fun to decorate this than the “medieval” fireplace.

{You can see more of our fall living room tour by clicking HERE.}

However, this has been my favorite mantel decor by far though…

This easy DIY fireplace mantel was so simple and made such a big impact in our living room.  {Click HERE for a cozy tour.}  Simply boxing-in the existing mantel with a few boards gave our fireplace an entirely new look.

Do you have a mantel that needs a little love?  Have you considered just covering up what is existing with a few boards?  It just might be your perfect solution too!

♥ Leigh

MORE PROJECTS YOU MIGHT LOVE:

Our Entryway Makeover

The Original Fireplace Makeover

Dining Room Makeover: Before & After

An Enclosed Porch Makeover

Painted Kitchen Cabinets: How To

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