What are Corner Fireplace Mantels?

Believe it or not but you can actually have a fireplace in a corner. It's true! Some homes have custom built fireplaces built in corners. Other people opt for an electric fireplace that can easily be integrated into a corner of your home without much work or renovation. Regardless of what type of corner fireplace you have, you ultimately need to get a corner fireplace mantel. Corner fireplace mantels are designed specifically for corner fireplaces (obviously). They are intended to help integrate a corner fireplace better into your space. Typically used with electric fireplaces, corner mantels have a deeper surface area. Since electric fireplaces don't have your typical smoke stack, the fireplace shelve is more of a top than a shelf. It covers the top of the fireplace and helps cement its presence in the room.

What if I have a normal fireplace that just happens to be in the corner?

If this is the case, your corner fireplace mantel is still a shelf. That's because the smoke stack does all the work of fitting the fireplace into the corner. Such corner fireplace mantels might offer more options such as extended cornered shelves to accommodate the two side walls. The bottom line is you need to know how much space you have to work with and how it will attach to the wall.

Shopping for a Corner Fireplace Mantels

If you're thinking about getting a corner mantelpiece, then here's what you need to do:

• Measure the space you have to work with. If it's an electric fireplace and you have the entire top to work with, measure the front and each corner. If you have a traditional fireplace with a smoke stack, measure the length of space you have across the fireplace.
  
  
• Establish what type of fireplace you want. Do you want wood, stone, marble? The type of material you want will determine what options you really have.
  
  
• Shop! Start online and then hit the renovation shops. You'll find great deals online but don't be afraid to talk to people at the local home stores. They can help you determine what type you should get, but it doesn't mean you have to get it from their store. Shop around, ask questions, and then buy.