DIY Fireplace Mantel With Storage
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE FOR WEEKLY DIY UPDATES
Living in a 1,000 square foot home, we’ve quickly learned to maximize every inch of space, and when we got to working on the living room, we figured why not make a DIY fireplace mantel with storage?
Having added storage in the mantel, which is otherwise dead space, was such a win for us, and it also doubles as a sneaky way to run the TV cords down into the wall without needing to MacGyver a way to hide them all. We usually store remotes in there plus our frequently used tools like a screwdriver, stud finder, measuring tape etc., but there’s so many ways you could use that added space!
You can read a complete breakdown on this project on our blog HERE.
Assemble your box
So, this next step will depend on what you’re working with, whether it’s an existing fireplace you’re replacing the mantel on or a full build like we did.
For us, because we’d already built the base part of the fireplace, we assembled the mantel from bottom to top. We nailed the bottom piece down onto the fireplace surround we’d just built, then nailed the side pieces into place. Lastly, one of us held the top piece flush between the two side pieces while the other nailed it into place.
Add the front piece
This is where the whole idea comes to fruition! Take your hinges (we used three – one for each divider space) and screw them into the inner part of the mantel according to the directions on your particular hinges.
Now, take your front piece and hold it in place flat underneath the opened hinge, and mark where you’ll need to drill. Attach the hinges to the front piece and voila! You’ve got a hinged opening.
Sand and stain
We sanded and stained once the whole thing was assembled since we knew we’d need to be doing some nailing and patching. Add some wood filler to each of the nail holes, then sand the whole piece down. Wipe it clean with a damp rag or tack cloth, and you’re ready to stain. Once the stain has dried, add some sealer to the whole piece and you’re ready to go!
Resources for this project:
See all materials
Comments
Join the conversation
-
Looks great. Congratulations on job well done
-
Great idea for a tiny house too. Would like to try this w/added storage in the bottom piece also.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?