How to Build a Plaster Mantel

If your living room walls are bare, then consider installing a mantel onto your wall. You can do this by making a plaster mold of the mantel, then attaching it to the wall with shelving hardware. Consider painting your plaster mantel so it doesn't look like it's made of plaster.

Drop cloth
Plaster mix
Water
Bucket
Plastic gloves
Mixing drill
Plaster mantel mold
Shelving hardware
Hammer
Nails or drywall nails

Instructions

- 1
  Place a drop cloth over a flat work space.
- 2
  Place plastic gloves on your hands.
- 3
  Combine plaster mix and water in a bucket according to the plaster's instructions.
- 4
  Blend the plaster with a mixing drill until it's thoroughly combined.
- 5
  Spray a rectangular plaster mold with cooking oil. You want a plaster mold that looks like a standard shelf -- about 12 inches wide and 1 inch deep. The mold should be about 3 feet long to offer the look of a mantel.
- 6
  Pour the plaster into the mold and allow it to dry overnight. Pop out the mold once the plaster is completely dry.
- 7
  Install shelving hardware onto the wall over your fireplace using nails, or dry wall nails if your walls are made of drywall. Shelving hardware pieces sometimes are called supports or brackets. They are hardware pieces that you attach to the wall so you can set your mantel on top. Place your plaster mantel on top of the shelving hardware.

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