We mentioned in this year’s holiday decorating post that we wanted to add some sort of fireplace mantel this month, and we’re happy to report we finally did it. It may sound simple—mostly to give our kids a spot for hanging stockings—but having that small deadline was the nudge we needed to get the project done faster than expected.
Here’s a view of the finished corner. It’s nice to have a mantel that feels purposeful and finished, even in a bedroom. We originally moved into the house with the fireplace looking pretty rough, so this was a welcome upgrade.
When we first arrived, the fireplace was significantly darker and more worn than the rest of the room. We did some light work over the summer to refresh the metal surround and lighten the interior brick, and we added crystal-style logs since the fireplace is non-functional. That improved the look a lot, but we still wanted more depth and a mantel to cover the rough transition between the metal edge and the drywall.
This is the third fireplace surround we’ve built, so we used lessons from earlier projects to aim for a cleaner, more modern look that fits our current home. We were inspired by a few modern mantel concepts and wanted a simple, quick build that wouldn’t turn the bedroom into a construction zone for weeks.
We selected a clean, geometric silhouette: an upside-down U shape that wraps three sides of the fireplace. The finished mantel measures 9″ wide on each side of the U and projects about 4″ from the wall along the outer edge. That keeps the profile slim so it doesn’t jut into the room.
The entire assembly is built around a hidden brace that attaches to the wall. Once that brace is secure, visible boards are added to create the finished surround. The materials are straightforward: common 1×2, 1×3, 1×4, 1×6 and 1×8 boards, plus a simple inside-corner molding for subtle detail. Raw common boards are fine for internal pieces; choose primed boards for anything visible if you want to minimize finishing work.
The trickiest part of the build is the upfront measuring: placing the hidden brace so the exposed drywall, metal, and baseboard show the specific amounts you want. We intentionally left small strips of drywall and baseboard visible at the outer edges rather than running the mantel corner to corner. That choice adds dimension and a finished look.
Here’s a concise step-by-step of how we built it:
Step 1. Construct the base of your brace
Remove the baseboard where necessary, then create a U-shaped brace from three 1×6 boards that will sit around the fireplace opening. Attach the top piece to the sides; pocket holes work well, but you can also attach the pieces individually to the wall if preferred. Level and square everything before fastening to the wall.
Step 2. Trim out your brace
Cover the inside and outside edges of the brace with 1×2 boards to give the mantel depth. These internal trim pieces can be rough since they won’t be visible; glue and a few nails will secure them safely to the brace.
Those two steps complete the hidden structure. Now add the visible face pieces.
Step 3. Add your face panels
Attach two 1×8 primed boards to the sides of the brace, using wood glue and nails for a strong bond. Mitered cuts on the visible joints create crisp corners and a polished look. Then cut and attach the top 1×8 to form the U shape.
Be mindful of any overhang from the face boards relative to the underlying brace, and keep the overhang consistent so the final result is centered and even.
Step 4. Trim out the edges to your liking
Add a 1×4 around the outside edge for added depth, cut with mitered corners for a clean finish. Then install a 1×3 around the inside edge so it slightly overlaps the face panel and creates an elegant inner border. Finish the outer edge with a modest inside-corner molding to maintain a modern, understated aesthetic.
Step 5. Finish off the bottom edge
We experimented with a few trim options before deciding to reattach the original baseboard, cut to fit between the new surround. Because one edge sits against metal, we used caulk as a light adhesive for that section. It held fine and keeps the profile consistent.
Step 6. Spackle, caulk, and paint
Fill nail holes, caulk seams, and paint everything to match your interior trim. We used a semi-gloss white for our trim to keep the look cohesive and durable for cleaning.
Keeping the mantel shallow gave us the modern profile we wanted while preserving floor space for chairs and decor. It also lets us position seating comfortably in front of the fireplace without anything feeling crowded.
We used small white cup hooks beneath the mantel to hang stockings for the holidays. They screw into the underside of the mantel and leave tiny holes when removed, which are easy to touch up and practically invisible. In our case, we store the hooks inside the stocking in a small bag until next year.
We also made a small change inside the fireplace to make getting that cozy glow easier. Since the fireplace is non-functional, adding an electric or LED option creates ambiance without any risk to stockings or decor.
Beyond the mantel, we added a linen headboard to the bedroom and kept the seating area, which has become unexpectedly handy—Zoom calls, reading, and relaxing all happen there now. The softer, more casual headboard feels at home with the modern mantel and the room’s coastal-neutral palette.
We still plan to build in storage cabinets on either side of the fireplace so the final look will be even more integrated. For now, the mantel provides the clean, modern focal point we wanted and makes the bedroom feel cozier and more complete—just in time for the holidays.
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