How to Build a Contemporary Mantel

Contemporary decor often features clean lines and simple designs. An easy way to build your own fireplace mantel in a contemporary style is to build a simple, unadorned shelf. If you like modern designs but prefer a little embellishment, you can add some decorative wood trim to your finished mantel or simply paint the mantel to complement your existing decor. Building your own fireplace mantel is a project that most homeowners can complete themselves in just a few hours.

Measuring tape
1-by-4-inch hardwood
Circular saw
Pencil
Power drill
Level
4-inch masonry screws
2-by-6-inch hardwood
Fine-grain sandpaper
3-inch wood screws
Wood filler
Paint or wood stain

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width of the fireplace using a measuring tape. Add at least 12 inches to this measurement to determine the width of your mantel. For a larger mantel, add more than 12 inches.
- 2
  Cut a piece of 1-by-4-inch hardwood to the width of your mantel using a circular saw. This piece of wood will become the breastplate, or support piece, for your contemporary mantel.
- 3
  Hold the breastplate flat against the wall, centering it above the fireplace. You may adjust the height of the breastplate according to your preference, but the standard height for a mantel is 60 inches.
- 4
  Make pencil marks approximately every six inches along the top and bottom edge of the breastplate. You will be pre-drilling screw holes into the wood at each mark. If the wall above your fireplace is brick, adjust the spacing of the marks so they fall in line with the mortar joints between bricks.
- 5
  Take the breastplate down from the wall and pre-drill the holes through the board using a power drill. When finished, reposition the board on the wall.
- 6
  Use a level to ensure that the board sits straight.
- 7
  Drive 4-inch masonry screws through the pre-drilled holes into the wall to secure the breastplate above the fireplace.
- 8
  Cut a piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood using the circular saw to serve as your mantel shelf. Gently sand the edges with a piece of fine-grain sandpaper to smooth them.
- 9
  Lay the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood flat across the top edge of the breastplate and align the outer edges of the two boards. The back edge of the hardwood board should be flush with the wall.
- 10
  Drive 3-inch wood screws down through the mantel shelf into the thickness of the breastplate to secure it in place. For added support, drive nails at an upward angle through the breastplate into the underside of the mantel shelf. This process is called toenailing.
- 11
  Fill all screw holes with wood filler and allow the filler to dry completely. Once the filler has hardened, sand it smooth using the fine-grain sandpaper then apply the paint or wood stain of your choosing.

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