A fireplace is much more than a way to keep warm.  Instead it is a gathering place for family and friends, and a wonderful setting for the warmth that only family can provide.  The right fireplace accessories can make that wonderful part of the home even more special, and wood fireplace mantels are among the most popular of all fireplace accessories.

Wood mantels are an enduringly popular choice for many reasons, including their handsome good looks and the fact that they are easy to care for.  If you would like to spend more time enjoying your fireplace and less time maintaining it, wood mantels may be the perfect choice for you.

In addition to their easy care, wood fireplace mantels are among the most elegant and handsome to be found anywhere.  Hand carved mantels, for instance, can rival any marble mantelpiece for elegance, charm and beauty.  A handsome hand carved mantel is at home in nearly any home, from the most humble cottage to the most upscale mansion.

Another great benefit of wood fireplace mantels is that these wonderful fireplace accessories can become a showcase for the family’s most treasured mementoes.  From baby pictures to prom pictures, from Little League trophies to academic awards, the fireplace mantel is a showplace for all the proud memories of family life.

In fact, adding mantel shelves is a great way to shine the spotlight on the family and its accomplishments through the years.  Adding mantel shelves to the fireplace can provide for an ever changing gallery, making the fireplace even more of a treat and a gathering place for the family.

Another great advantage of wood fireplace mantel shelves is the fact that they are generally quite easy to install, even without the assistance of a contractor.

Of course the first step to getting those great fireplace mantels is choosing the right wood.  Whether you are choosing the beauty of hand carved mantels or the simplicity of a natural wood mantel, it is important to consider the nature of the wood, and to match the looks of those wood fireplace mantels to the overall look and feel of the home.

The type of wood that constitutes the perfect wood mantel will vary from home to home, of course.  For instance, a rustic log cabin can be perfectly accented by an equally rustic oak fireplace mantel.  In fact, oak is a very versatile wood, and this popular choice blends very well with many different settings.

In addition, oak fireplace mantel shelves can also be blended beautifully with fireplace mantels of other materials.  An oak wood mantel would look perfect as an accent for a brick fireplace, or as an accent to a marble mantelpiece.

Cherry is another popular choice for wood mantels, and cherry also has the timeless look and feel needed to make it into a cherished family heirloom. 

While cherry wood mantels look perfect set in homes already accented in shades of cherry, they can look just as beautiful in any home.  The stunning reddish brown colors of hand carved mantels make the perfect accent to any home, from the most modest to the most upscale. 

Cherry wood is always a popular choice when it comes to home decorating, and wood fireplace mantels and mantel shelves are certainly no exception.  Cherry wood is the perfect accent to nearly any décor, whether it is light cherry accenting a dark room or stunning dark cherry providing a beautiful trim for a lighter décor.  A cherry wood mantel looks perfect with any fireplace, making it a great choice for nearly any homeowner.

In addition to its beauty, cherry wood mantels are sturdy and durable as well.  Cherry is known for its tight, dense grain as well as its good looks.  This durability makes cherry one of the most consistently popular choices in the market for wood mantels and mantel shelf installations.

No matter what type of wood you choose for your wood mantels, chances are you will wonder how you ever got along without one.  The beauty and charm of a wood fireplace mantel is difficult to beat, and the fact that such mantels are easy to install makes them an every smarter choice for dressing up that fireplace.