How To Make A Fake Mantel

Using a nail gun I nailed the top board to the side boards in several areas to ensure that it would hold together. I knew that once I painted this mantel it would really come to life.

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Above is my rough computer drawing of shallow boxes with the top and two legs.

How to make a fake mantel. I cut the boards to size and on each side I placed two boards side by side to create the base. DIY Faux Rustic Mantel. The simplest way to make a fireplace Ive found is to build basic shallow boxes.

Zibra designed paint brushes for people like me. I chose the color Drop Cloth Dixie Belle Paint and used my favorite Zibra Paint Brushes to apply it. Place the mantel over the cleat and secure the mantel to the cleat using wood screws.

Secure molding to bottom of shelf with brads then nail in return pieces. It is easier to install the molding when the mantel. Their brushes are perfect for detailed pieces like this faux mantel but they are also amazing for trim work on walls.

Fill holes with wood filler and sand smooth. In this video I demonstrate how to build a rustic faux beam that can be used as a mantel or a shelf. Secure the cleat to the wall using Tapcon screws.

Install crown molding under the top mantel shelf. With washi or painters tape theyre both easy to remove create a fireplace mantel design on an empty wall. After cutting to size wrap the face of the mantel shelf with 2 baseboard molding.

Youll then cut 24s to get you to that width. First measure how long you want your mantel to be then cut a 24 to that length. You can counter-sink your wood screws and fill the holes with putty and stain or you can just let them be.

After cutting a piece of 14 thick MDF to size ours turned out to be 50 12 x 47 34 we simply nailed it to the back of our. Using a brad nailer or hammer with 34-inch brad nails attach molding to face of back of shelf. As for installation we simply slid the wood sleeve over the existing mantel.

I then figured out how wide I wanted the fireplace mantel and cut a board as the base for that. You can also make some candlesticks from washi tape for another whimsical accent. Let the coat of stain dry for at least an hour and then youre ready to apply a protective finish.

Make sure molding is at proper angle and centered on shelf. This will be your cleat support. Use a hammer drill to pre-drill into the brick.

Next up we added a 12 piece to the back of our fireplace on the inside of each 26 side creating a spot to fasten the backing to. Attach the Mantel Shelf. It fits snugly and so theres no need for added fasteners.

How far do you want it to stick out from the wall. Next determine how wide you want your mantel to be. At this point I bolt the legs to the top.

To finish hang a mirror or piece of art above the mantel to ground the space. Put return pieces in while nailing molding to ensure tight fit. Another measurement thats important is how far do you want the mantel to come out from the wall.

It hangs by a French cleat and has a secret compartment. Attach the top shelf to the columns using wood screws. Now youre ready to build the cleat that will hold your faux wood beam mantel.

This might be the easiest and quickest way to fake a mantel yet.

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