If you saw my post about our DIY Fireplace a few weeks ago, then you know that I was so thrilled to finally have a mantel to decorate for Christmas with! I have never had a mantel before. But that never stopped me from decorating with stockings.
Several years ago I shared all about how to decorate without a mantel for stockings. So even if you don’t have a mantel in your living room, don’t let that stop you from decorating! But this year, I am so excited we decided to upgrade our living room fireplace.
And we added in a mantel! I thought it would be fun to share with you all the process of adding a mantel to a fireplace. It was actually super easy and not that difficult to do.
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Prepping to Install the Mantel
We got this mantel again from Modern Timber Craft. And if you remember, it was the same company that we used for our downstairs DIY Fireplace too.
The nice thing about ordering from them is that they include all the hardware you need to hang your mantel with in your order.
And it can be completely custom ordered. Just measure out how wide, long, and tall you want your mantel to be and send it over to them. Easy peasy!
On our fireplace downstairs, we just used some wood glue to attach the mantel since it was a built-out fireplace.
Since the one in our living room is not, we had to attach it using the hardware they provided. It is similar to just installing a floating shelf if you have ever done that before as well.
You simply just find the studs in the wall and then nail the brackets provided into place. It came with two so we did it on each side of the fireplace.
We also measured it to make sure it would be centered.
Installing the Mantel
After we got the brackets into place, it was time to attach the mantel to it! My husband measured out where the brackets would be, and then started drilling into the mantel!
He had to do this a couple of times because at first it wasn’t deep enough. And then the mantel would stick out a little bit from the wall.
So he kept trying until it was completely flush against the wall. Other than a few tweaks here and there, it was super easy to install.
Once we got it attached to the brackets and installed fully into the wall, we simply let it rest for awhile.
My husband used some leftover wood from another project and placed it underneath the mantel to make sure it stayed upright and didn’t lean after installing it.
He didn’t want me to decorate it just yet. He wanted us to wait and make sure that the mantel could handle the weight and was securely attached to the wall as well.
Finishing Touches
My husband then decided it would look best if we also sealed the mantel to give it a nice, semi-glossy finish. And it does look really great after adding that on!
The company that we ordered the mantel from gives you the option of getting your mantel finished or unfinished.
We chose the unfinished option just like our downstairs one too. But, adding in this little sealer gives it a little pop and switches it up from being the exact same as our one downstairs too.
I like how you can also just order one from them completely finished too so you don’t even have to worry about sealing it or staining it if you don’t want to.
I love how rustic the reclaimed barn wood looks too. It really suits our house and our vibe well!
Just this simple little addition made all the difference in the world when it came to our fireplace! If you’ve been a little hesitant about adding a mantel to a fireplace, don’t be!
As you can see here, it really took shape and makes our fireplace and living room area look even better than before!
As you can see above, I added in a garland on the mantel for some Christmas cheer. It didn’t come with lights, so I used a couple of packs of battery operated string lights.
I strung them around the garland to give it even more of a cozy glow! What do you think of how it turned out!? I am in love with it!
I went from having no mantels to decorate for Christmas, to having two all in the same year! What about y’all?? Do you have a mantel you can decorate with for Christmas as well?
Let me know below!
Your fireplace is an absolutely dream and I think the mantel really completes it! I love mantels because of all the cute decor that you can get to go on them! x
Thank you! I love mantels for that reason too!
Love it! Great work. It turned out so beautiful. I’m hoping to get a mantel and fireplace in the next couple of years. For now, our stockings are hanging on our stair railing 🤗
Oh yes, that’s a great place to hang stockings too if you don’t have a mantel yet!
Your home and everything you add to it are like my ultimate American dream home!
Rosie
Awe thanks Rosie! You are too sweet! I appreciate it!
I love how it turned out and the fireplace looks great but I would never keep a television set above.
Well that’s the only place we have room for the TV and I think it looks just fine.
Fantastic overview of adding a mantel to a fireplace, thank you! I adore mantels and fireplaces 🙂 x
Thank you so much! I do too!
Wow, this looks amazing! I love the wood you used, it looks perfect as a mantle. Thanks for sharing this!
Awe thank you so much. I am so glad you think so too!
This looks absolutely beautiful and I love the decor you’ve added to the finished product – I agree the seal gives it a nice look and peace of mind with protection!
Thank you! I think so too!
Love that you finally got the mantel you have been after! Your fireplace is looking at its best now and a mantel is the perfect place to put up little decorations and other ornaments over the year. 🙂
Awe thank you so much. I really appreciate it!
I love the mantle. It is beautiful!
Awe thank you so much. I am so glad you think so as well!
This looks amazing!! You are so talented 😍
Awe thank you. I really appreciate it
I have really enjoyed watching your fireplace unfold. You have definitely demonstrated this can be done as DIY. I really love the added mantel. Thank you for sharing.
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
Thank you. I am so glad you think so as well. I love the added mantel too
This is a very descriptive post on how to do this, useful, and what a great idea to brighten up the house. Thanks for sharing.
~Michelle
https://michellescrazybusylife.net
Thank you. I am so glad you thought so too
Love how that turned out! Its amazing how much the addition of a mantle, or upgrading of an old one, can change the whole feel of the fireplace!
Yes it really can!
This looks so lovely and works so nicely with your decor. It looks so pretty with the Christmas decorations over the top. Thank you for sharing your DIY experience. I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and New Year celebration.
Lauren – http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Awe thank you so much Lauren. I hope you and your family do as well! Merry Christmas!!
You both have such a knack for DIY and knowing what looks great! This mantle looks like the perfect addition to the rest of you decor. Thanks for sharing.
Awe thank you Jodie. I am so glad you think so as well!
Wow! This is amazing, it looks SO GOOD! I can’t believe that was a DIY project!
Awe thanks Caroline. I am so glad you think so too!
Love it!!! I finally had a mantle to decorate this year and I was so pumped.
Oh yay! It is so fun to have a mantel to decorate with finally!
This turned out amazing. Thanks for making it look so easy to assemble.
Thank you. It was actually very easy and quick to assemble as well!
I love this idea!
Your mantel turned out lovely.
Thank you so much. I am so glad you think so!
Super cool! Love the touches of the crock & snowshoes! Very rustic and cute!
Awe thank you. I do too!
The mantel looks beautiful and really finishes the fireplace and even the room! I’ve not had a fireplace since my very first house. I’d love to have one again.
Awe thank you! Yes, I love having a fireplace for sure! Especially when it is super cold out!