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A decorative electric fireplace inside the home never ceases to capture attention. Aside from the heat it provides during cold seasons, the design prowess of this fire feature is truly visually interesting. Though the simulated fire and music are what makes an electric fireplace attractive, its mantel is also an important element that makes it stand out from the rest of the furnishings inside the home. However, as purchasing a new mantel could be pretty expensive, making your own could save you more bucks that you could use for other things.

Before we start with the steps on how to make a mantel for your electric fireplace heater, it would be more appropriate to identify what mantel is. Basically, mantel is a shelf-like fixture attached to the wall, sitting on top of the fireplace opening. This piece is often integrated as a part of the fireplace to enhance fireplace space and also functions as a decorative point where objects like photographs and figurines could be placed. Usually a mantel is separate from the fireplace, but can also be purchased already connected to the said fire feature.

While you have the option to purchase the mantel of your electric fireplace heater, customizing your mantel is a good way to add character to your fire feature. By doing it yourself, you can be assured that the mantel you create will be unique as you could incorporate your own creative vision into it. Although this might be a bit hard to accomplish, your efforts would surely pay off as this project is way cheaper than actually buying a pre-made mantel. To begin your mantel project you would need the following items: saw, nail gun, crown molding, wood glue, router, level, wooden boards and paint.

Measure your fireplace as well as the location where you intend to place your fireplace mantel. Add at least 3/4 of an inch to your measurements so as to correspond to the thickness of the board you will use. Don't forget to use a level while marking the location of your mantel to achieve straight lines. After measuring the fireplace and fireplace location, create your mantel design by following your personal concept and indicate the dimensions of your mantel according to the measurements you've acquired from the fireplace.

Make the legs of your fireplace mantel by making an incomplete box from three boards, which you would eventually mount on the wall. Cut the side and front pieces of each leg and secure them together by gluing and nailing. Attach the box to the wall by securing the sides of the legs to the wall with nails. To highlight the appearance of your mantel legs, place pieces of crown moldings around the sides of the legs.

Now that your fireplace mantel legs are already in place, the next thing to do is to create the top and shelf of the mantel from a frieze board, and then secure it at the top of the mantel legs. Nail the mantel shelf into the wall, and install crown moldings around its sides. To achieve smoother edges, use a router to scrap of tiny particles on the edge of your mantel. Then, paint it according to your desired color scheme to complement the interiors of your home.

Your fireplace mantel could significantly influence the overall appearance of your electric fireplace heater. Hence, if you want to achieve a decorative electric fireplace, it is about time to change your mantel into something that would suit your interior design needs. However, instead of purchasing a new mantel, you can do one yourself in order to cut down on your expenses.