Hang your stockings on this simple fireplace mantle plan. This design can be easily stored away when the Holidays are over, or kept in the center of your living room too!
Preparation
- 1/2 – sheet of faux brick paneling or 1/4″ plywood or mdf paneling
- 1 – 4×4 post, 8 feet long OR 2 – 2x4s, 8 feet long
- 2 – 2×4, 8 feet or stud length (in addition to the 4×4 posts above)
- 1 – 2×6, 8 feet or stud length
- 1 – 2×12, 4 feet long
- 3″ screws
- 1 1/4″ screws
- wood filler, paint and sandpaper
- 1 – 2×12 @ 44 1/2″ (cut at an arch shape)
- 2 – 2×4 @ 36 1/2″ 2 – 4×4 @ 48″ (legs)
- 1 – 2×4 @ 51 1/2″ (top)
- 1 – 2×6 @ 55 1/2″ (top TOP)
- 1 – 1/4″ paneling @ 48″ x 48″
This is definitely a project that you can tackle in an afternoon, in plenty of time to hang those stockings with care. You can also adjust the size to fit your living space easily – I choose this size because it works well with a perfect 1/2 sheet of plywood or paneling and a single 4×4 post, 8 feet long. Of course, if you have trouble finding 4x4s, try sandwiching 2x4s together – that’s what I did.
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Inner Trim
Assuming that your 2x12s are 11 1/2″ wide (widths can vary, I choose to list the widest possible widths) cut your 2x4s and screw to the arched top. Don’t worry about getting a super strong joint, the joint will be reinforced from the back and sides. If you don’t have a Kreg Jig™, try just screwing at an angle from the 2×4 into the 2×12.
Step 3
Legs
Now add the 4×4 posts to the sides as shown above. Back is flush. Use a drill bit the size of your screw heads to drill approximately 1/2 way through the 4×4 posts. Then use a drill bit the size of the screw shaft to drill the remaining way through the 4×4 posts. Screw the posts to the 2x4s with 3″ screws.
Step 4
Step 7
Finishing
I finished mine by filling holes with wood filler, sanding, and then priming everything but the top. I painted two coats of paint in an muted oooops green paint, and stained the top with Minwax Express Color in Pecan. Make sure you screw through the 2×12 header into a stud in the wall behind the faux fireplace to keep it from tipping forward. Good luck and Happy Holidays!
Comments
Elvira Clay (not verified)
Sun, 12/05/2010 - 21:01
Love this! I won't be able
Love this! I won't be able to make one this year, but hope to have one for next Christmas!
Becca Martin (not verified)
Sun, 12/05/2010 - 21:07
I think i am going to have to
I think i am going to have to tackle this. I already have everything too! Ill have to use bead board instead of faux bricks though. Oooo im so excited! Wont hubby be suprised when he gets home!!
Lia (not verified)
Sun, 12/05/2010 - 21:43
It's like you can read my
It's like you can read my mind! Every time I say I want something - Ana has it! =) Thank you!
Jennifer (not verified)
Sun, 12/05/2010 - 23:16
Think you would love this
Think you would love this fireplace I saw featured on a craft blog I read regularly. It looks so awesome for a faus fireplace!
http://vintagerevivals.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-faux-fireplace.html
Carolyn (not verified)
Sun, 12/05/2010 - 23:37
Thank you, thank you, thank
Thank you, thank you, thank you Ana. You have fulfilled one of my wishes and request for this Christmas season! I love it! You are the greatest! Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family!
Tracie (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 02:35
Lovely!!http://cleverlyinspir
Lovely!!
http://cleverlyinspired.blogspot.com/2010/12/candlesticksand-more-candl…
Jess (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 03:12
Absolutley adorable. I would
Absolutley adorable. I would love to have this, but it won't be this year. LOL But going on my project list for next year. I think that I will have to start Christmas in July.
Valerie (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 03:28
I love it! Thanks Ana!
I love it! Thanks Ana!
Rachael (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 04:41
This is awesome! I have been
This is awesome! I have been talking about finding a fireplace surround lately to add some detail to our living room. Thanks!!!
Mrs. J (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 04:47
What a brilliant idea! A lot
What a brilliant idea! A lot of people don't have fire places, and this would provide an excellent place for children to hang the stockings. Helps everyone feel a little more in the spirit of the holidays!
Nora (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 07:06
Ana: You ROCK!!! I was
Ana:
You ROCK!!! I was look to purchase a mantle for my parents house! Now I can just build it!!!
Barbara Mars (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 08:05
How wonderful! Very pretty!
How wonderful! Very pretty! Was wondering tho - any future plans for constructing a fireplace mantle shelf? I do have a fireplace - just no mantle or shelf there. They are SO expensive to buy, just know there has to be an easy way to make just a mantle shelf.
Thanks!
Barbara in TN
Carli (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 11:12
Hi Ana, just stopped by to
Hi Ana, just stopped by to let you know I gave you an award today, although this isn't officially a blog, stop by when you have a chance to accept:
http://fearfullyandwonderfullymade81.blogspot.com/2010/12/yay-me.html
Tiffany (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 12:39
This is so cute! I was
This is so cute! I was wondering if you could tell me how to make a simple SHELF style mantel??? It is probably a "no brainer", but I've always wanted to do it and have know idea how to build it where it is sturdy and supported...and won't fall down :) Thanks!
Also, I'm currently in the middle of building your Lydia daybed...excited to get to send pics soon!!
Thank you so much for all you do...and for blessing us all!
Tiffany
Loni (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 14:09
Thank you! I was just going
Thank you! I was just going to build your barn beam ledge and use it as a feaux mantle, but this is great! Thanks!
<3
Heather (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 15:51
Oooooh, I'm thinking tiny
Oooooh, I'm thinking tiny scale & anchoring to the wall of the kids playhouse, too!
Laree @ Ever H… (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 16:06
In think this is one of my
In think this is one of my favorites this month!!
Jehan (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 16:19
Cool! I think it would be
Cool! I think it would be nice with pretty paper or fabric in the back.
Katie (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 17:06
Ana, how do you survive
Ana, how do you survive twenty below weather? How do you keep warm? I live in upstate NY and every had been complaining that we have 20 degree weather this week! Thanks for yet another awesome post.
katie (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 18:59
THANK YOU!!! i emailed you a
THANK YOU!!! i emailed you a few weeks ago asking for mantle plans -- i'm sure mine wasn't the only request you got for it, but it's SO EXCITING to see it up! i built a fake fireplace over the thanksgiving weekend (pictured below) by dry-stacking salvaged bricks. i can't wait for my med school finals to be done next week so i can make the mantle and finish it up in time for the holidays. =D THANK YOU!!!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs988.snc4/76099_1010017567…
Vanessa (not verified)
Mon, 12/06/2010 - 21:58
Your website is looking so
Your website is looking so good! Your photos are great and I love the writing on the photo! I'm working on the toddler farmhouse bed right now and will post pictures when it's done! Thanks.
Kerry (not verified)
Wed, 12/08/2010 - 20:24
I just had a FANTASTIC idea!
I just had a FANTASTIC idea! I want to make a faux fireplace radiator cover! My radiator makes it impossible to use the three feet it takes up or much of the area above it (there's steam damage to the drywall --- but the apartment is a rental, so what can I do?)... Something that doesn't place all the weight on the poor wall AND masks my radiator?! I'm sold on my own idea.
Rebecca (not verified)
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 10:18
ANA!!! I was totally
ANA!!! I was totally thinking about doing this for my house! You are genius. THANK YOU!
katie (not verified)
Tue, 12/21/2010 - 15:12
still in progress (needs
still in progress (needs paint and a mantle top -- it ended up an unusual size, so finding an adequate piece is difficult) but this is as done as it's going to get until after the holidays. =) thanks again for coming up with the plans!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs732.ash1/162628_101001899…
Sophia Williams (not verified)
Sun, 12/26/2010 - 22:23
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled with this post Ana. I can't wait to have this in my living room. :) I've been eyeing those portable electric fireplaces for a while, but didn't want to spend so much money, but THIS will do perfect! I just really wanted the look and feel of a mantle, and a focal point for my living room. Many, many thanks!
Sophia Williams (not verified)
Sun, 12/26/2010 - 22:26
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled
Oh wow. I am beyond thrilled with this post Ana. I can't wait to have this in my living room. :) I've been eyeing those portable electric fireplaces for a while, but didn't want to spend so much money, but THIS will do perfect! I just really wanted the look and feel of a mantle, and a focal point for my living room. Many, many thanks!
Katie- That looks awesome. Love the salvaged brick idea!
summercrow (not verified)
Tue, 12/28/2010 - 23:35
HI! I love this but I am
HI! I love this but I am looking for a surround/mantle to build to go around my fireplace. COuld this be modified to do that? If so...how? Thanks!
Brooklyns_Mama (not verified)
Thu, 01/13/2011 - 11:15
Saw these faux logs on oh dee
Saw these faux logs on oh dee oh, and had to share them here!!
What a perfect couple they make!
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/diy-project-cardboard-faux-lo…
Jeanette Purdy (not verified)
Sat, 01/14/2012 - 13:30
Can't Wait!
I've been waiting over a year to make this and I'm finally out in the garage today! The arch is definitely the hardest part for me. In fact, I've had my wood ready for over a week now and the arch scared me so I haven't done anything! I'm jumping in and will post pictures as soon as I have them. Thanks Ana for being so awesome and inspiring me to just jump ;)
Coco Floss (not verified)
Tue, 05/22/2012 - 15:53
This is genius.Totally love
This is genius.Totally love it!I have been thingking of something similar to this.And you just simply made it a lot easier for me.Thanks a lot.
Connie Perkins (not verified)
Wed, 11/14/2012 - 06:30
Love it!
I have been looking for a mantle to build to use in Christmas photos in the studio this year! Im so excited to find this! Thank you for sharing!
www.facebook.com/connieperkinsphotography
Connie~