Building a Fireplace Mantel Shelf

A fireplace mantel shelf gives you a space to place treasured family photos, potted plants and decorative items, and adds warmth and atmosphere to any room. There are many different styles of shelves to consider, but a molded oak shelf is one of the most common and classic designs, and it's not difficult to build on your own.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Level
• Pencil
• Professional-strength wood glue
• 1-inch-by-1 1/2-inch-by-107-inch oak front-cove molding
• 1-inch-by-1 1/2-inch-by-11-inch oak side-cove moldings, 2
• 1/2-inch-by-5 3/4-inch-by-96 1/2-inch oak board
• 3/4-inch-by-10-inch-by-105-inch board, fir or pine
• 3/4-inch-by-6 1/4-inch-by-96 1/2-inch board, fir or pine
• Table saw
• 2 1/2-inch wood screws, 12
• 1 1/2-inch finish nails, 20
• 2-inch nails, 10

Instructions

Building a Fireplace Mantel Shelf

1. Measure 6 1/4 inches up from the top left edge of your mantel using your ruler and level, and mark this point with your pencil. Repeat this process on the right side of your mantel. Draw a horizontal line running between these two points, and use a level to make sure it is flush with the mantel.

2. Locate the places where the wall studs intersect with the line you have just drawn with a stud finder. Screw a 1-inch-by-3-inch-by-100-inch board into the studs using your drill. It should be attached to at least three studs.

3. Cut your 3/4-inch-by-10-inch board to a length of 105 inches. This will be the top part of your shelf.

4. Cut your 1/2-inch-by-5 3/4-inch and 3/4-inch-by-6 1/4-inch boards to a length of 96 1/2 inches. The 1/2-inch board will be the bottom or base of your shelf, and the 3/4-inch board will be the brace.

5. Place the top piece of your shelf on the ground so that the underside of the shelf is facing you. Measure 4 inches in from the back of the shelf and draw a horizontal line along the 105-inch length of the shelf.

6. Lay the brace on top of this line and rotate it so that the 3/4-inch side is touching the shelf. Nail and glue the brace to the bottom side of your shelf using your wood glue and 1-inch nails.

7. Measure 4 inches in from the bottom part of your shelf and glue it to the other side of the brace. The result should resemble an I-beam shape.

8. Place the top of your shelf over the brace and nail it in place using at least six 2-inch nails. The bottom part of your shelf should be resting on the top of your mantel. If the mantel is wood, screw or nail the bottom or base of your shelf to the top of the mantel for added security.

9. Glue the crown molding into place. The front molding should run from the underside of the front edge of the top shelf to the top of the bottom shelf. The side molding should run from the side of the bottom shelf to the side of the top shelf. Once the glue is dry, nail the molding into place, with one 1-inch nail in each corner of the molding.

References

• Extreme How To: Building a Firelplace Shelf
• Fireplace Mantels: Building a Firelplace Mantel Shelf
• Lee's Wood Projects: How to Build a Mantel Shelf

Resources

• Mantels Direct: Traditional Wood Mantel