How to Build a Mantle for a Fireplace With Built-in Shelves

Preparing and Installing the Shelves

• 1

  Measure the width of your fireplace using a measuring tape. Use the measuring tape to measure the wall space on either side of the fireplace as well. The combination of these two measurements will give you the total width of your fireplace mantle.

• 2

  Cut four pieces of 1-by-6-inch hardwood to the length measurement you just took along the wall on one side of the fireplace using a circular saw. These boards will serve as the top and bottom panels for the shelves you will install on either side of the fireplace.

• 3

  Arrange the four pieces of 1-by-6-inch hardwood along with the four 58-inch pieces of 1-by-6-inch hardwood into two rectangles. Sandwich two of the 58-inch lengths of hardwood between the ends of two of the shorter pieces of hardwood to form two identical rectangular frames. Drive nails through the top and bottom boards into the longer vertical boards to secure the frames using a nail gun.

• 4

  Use the circular saw to cut two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood to a length of 60 inches and a width equal to that of the frames you just constructed. Lay one piece of plywood flat on top of each frame and align the edges. Attach the pieces of plywood by driving nails from the nail gun through it into the hardwood frames.

• 5

  Stand the two rectangular frames upright against the wall on either side of the fireplace. The underside of the bottom panels on each frame should be flat against the hearth.

• 6

  Make pencil marks on the inside surface of the back panel every 10 inches. You will use these marks as guides for predrilling holes in the back panel. Make adjustments when necessary to be sure the marks are aligned with the mortar joints between bricks in the wall where your fireplace is installed.

• 7

  Predrill holes through the back panels of the two rectangular frames where you made the pencil marks. Drive 3-inch masonry screws through the predrilled holes in each of the hardwood frames to secure them to the wall on either side of the fireplace.

• 8

  Measure and mark the position of your shelves along the side panels of the two rectangular frames in pencil. Cut the shelves out of 1-by-6-inch pine using the width measurement of the frame, minus 2 inches to account for the side panels.

• 9

  Slide the shelves horizontally into place between the side panels. Drive nails from a nail gun through the side panels into the shelves to attach them. For added support, drive nails at a downward angle through the back edge of each shelf into the plywood back panel.

Installing the Mantle

• 10

  Measure the space between the inside edges of the two shelving units you just installed. Cut a piece of 1-by-4-inch hardwood to this measurement using a circular saw.

• 11

  Hold the 1-by-4-inch piece of hardwood flat against the wall above the fireplace, sandwiching it between the shelving units and aligning the top edge. Make pencil marks every 6 inches along the length of the board, making adjustments when necessary to align the marks with the mortar joints between bricks.

• 12

  Drive 3-inch masonry screws through the predrilled holes and into the mortar joints between the bricks to attach the 1-by-4-inch hardwood board to the wall. This board will serve as the breastplate, one of the supporting structures, for your mantle.

• 13

  Cut a piece of 2-by-8-inch hardwood to length for your mantle. The minimum length for your mantle is the distance between the outside edges of the two shelving units. You may cut your mantle longer if you desire.

• 14

  Lay the piece of 2-by-8-inch hardwood flat on top of the shelving units, centering it over the fireplace. Adjust the board so its back edge is flush with the wall. Drive 3-inch wood screws down through the mantle into the shelving unit and the breastplate to secure it in place.