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A decorative electric fireplace is something that could readily catch anybody's attention. Other than its ability to provide heat, its design and structure are what makes it all the more 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 the shelf-like structure sitting on the wall atop the fireplace hearth. 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. Such piece is usually separate from the fireplace but can also be directly connected to the fire feature.

Though you can simply purchase the mantel of your electric fireplace heater, building your own custom mantel is a great way to enhance the character of your fire feature. By doing your own mantel, you would be able to create a unique piece that would best represent your personality and style. Though this is not an easy project to do, it would surely be worth the effort as it is way cheaper than a pre-made mantel. To cap off your mantel project you should have the following materials: 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 when marking the location of your mantel in order to avoid squiggly 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.

Create the legs of your fireplace mantel with the use of three boards to form an incomplete box on the wall. Cut the side and front pieces of each leg and connect the three together by gluing and nailing them. Mount the legs on the wall by securing the sides of the box with nails. To decorate your mantel legs, install crown moldings around the sides of the legs.

Now that you have your fireplace mantel legs in place, create the top and shelf of the mantel by using a frieze board and then place it on top of the legs. To ensure that the mantel shelf and top are strong, nail them to the wall and place crown moldings around its sides for decoration. For smoother finish, form the edge of your mantel by using a router. 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.