Obviously your dimensions won't be the exact same as ours, but you get the general idea for the shape.

Basically, you’re going to make a box that sits over your current, skinny fireplace mantel.

It’s easiest if you lay this all out upside down, with what will be your top piece on the floor or wherever you’re working.

We sanded down the whole thing, using 120 grit sandpaper. You could use a higher grit (higher grit = smoother finish) but that’s what we had on hand.

We did a swipe over the whole thing, making sure our wood-filled areas were nice and flat, and then went over each of the edges to ‘soften’ them a little bit.

We used Varathane stain in the color Provincial to stain the whole thing, then a coat of Polycrylic to seal it and make it easier to clean.

Once the stain and poly is dry, swirl a generous amount of wood glue across the whole top of your original mantel, then slide your new DIY fireplace mantel box over the top into place and weigh it down with whatever you’ve got on hand (weights, vases, books, etc) for a couple of hours while it dries. Alternatively if you want to be able to remove it (or if you’re renting and can’t do anything permanent), screw it into place in a couple spots along the top and it’ll stay put.

The fireplace sat for a few months still white and with the weird tile strip but with its phase one pick-me-up of the mantel makeover.

Now, the fireplace is finally finished and it looks so good. It’s the perfect bold statement in our otherwise very neutral living room.

Whether you're in a snowy climate, or just looking for a statement piece in your room, an updated, modern fireplace can sure bring a lot of coziness.

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