Creative Ways To Use A Reclaimed Fireplace Mantel
Don’t you love the character of an old reclaimed fireplace mantel? Want to learn some creative ways to repurpose a vintage fireplace surround into unique home decor? Then, take a look at how we upcycled a vintage fireplace mantel to decorate our bedroom and bathroom.
The vintage mantel traveled with us from our previous home, but we didn’t have a use for it as a fireplace surround. However, I’m a waste-not kind of girl, and every piece of the mantel was put to good use.
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Table of contents
Why Repurpose a Reclaimed Fireplace Mantel?
Y’all know I get attached to my vintage finds, and when we sold our last home, I didn’t want to sell the mantel. Although I didn’t plan to use the vintage mantel for its original purpose, I knew that the character of the reclaimed fireplace mantel could be upcycled as stunning architectural salvage decor. Therefore, we would repurpose the vintage fireplace surround in a unique way.
How to Repurpose a Vintage Fireplace Surround?
Since we didn’t really have a place for our vintage fireplace surround, we began looking for alternative uses for this piece. Since we had a large amount of space above our bed, we decided the mantel would make a great shelf.
To turn the mantel into a shelf, the legs needed to be removed. With a little maneuvering, we were able to use a miter saw to do this.
We originally planned to hang the mantel with the top of the mantel up as it was intended. However, it just didn’t look great, so we flipped it over. Ta Da! I loved the upside-down vintage mantel.
Pinterest Challenge
In addition, I’m joining Cindy at County Road 407 for her Fall Fireplace Mantel Pinterest Challenge. Each month, Cindy and her guests use a Pinterest pin as inspiration for a blog post. Be sure to see the links to all the Fall Mantel inspiration at the end of this post. If you are popping over from Cindy’s creative post, I’m so glad you stopped by.
How To Stabilize The Vintage Mantel?
Before we started decorating the reclaimed fireplace mantel, we were concerned about the stability of the old wood and decided that before adding any weight to the shelf, it needed to be secured. Therefore, we added iron anchors to both ends of the mantel.
They were not only functional but added a decorative touch to the overall appearance of the vintage mantel.
Decorating the Upcycled Fireplace Mantel For Fall
First, I didn’t want to completely change my color scheme for the Fall Upcycled Mantel. Therefore, instead of the usual gold and rust colors, I decided to use some of my dried hydrangeas that still held a touch of blue.
To put the mantel together, I gathered my thrifted wooden candlesticks, old glass bottles, and a couple of DIY projects.
I also added three mix-matched old mirrors to reflect the beautiful blooms.
DIY Projects To Decorate the Upcycled Vintage Mantel
I love to incorporate as much vintage and DIY into my seasonal decorating. Therefore, the reclaimed fireplace mantel is filled with an updated lantern and DIY pumpkins.
One of my recent projects was an Easy Spray Paint Update on these old lanterns. I love how the copper looks, giving them a warm fall touch.
Instead of adding a candle, I filled the lantern with faux pumpkins.
Last fall I shared How to Napkin Decoupage Pumpkins and these small blueish ones are a perfect accompaniment to the dried hydrangeas.
Props for Varying Heights
One way to ensure your mantel decor is appealing is to vary the heights of your decor. This allows the eye to move around your vignette and is more pleasing.
I like to use vintage books to add height where needed. My collection of blue books was perfect for this display.
The muted blues and wood tones still work perfectly with the bedding and vintage dishes I added in the spring.
The blue euro shams from Piper Classics will continue to work in this room into the fall.
In addition, the Olivia quilt can be paired with other colors during the holidays. Even the DIY twig hydrangea arrangement works perfectly on top of the Flea Market Flip Chest.
What Happened to the Vintage Fireplace Surround Legs?
You know I couldn’t resist using every piece of the vintage fireplace surround. To upcycle the legs, we built a cabinet over the toilet. The fireplace mantel legs were used for the cabinet sides, and shelves were added to hold the legs together.
Then, a cabinet door that had previously been removed from our bathroom corner cabinet was added to the front.
The reclaimed fireplace mantel has been put to good use, and all the character of the old craftsmanship remains intact.
Additional Articles of Interest
- DIY Shabby Chic Faux Fireplace Mantel with Repurposed Materials
- How To Build A Shabby Chic Kitchen Cabinet With Reclaimed Windows
- Easy DIY Potting Table
Continue on the Pinterest Inspiration Tour
Up next on the tour is Angie from Postcards From The Ridge. I know you will love her Fall Mantel Decor ideas.
Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed the tour.
Pin It To Remember It
Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? Hover over the images you’d like to save and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button.
I love the way you repurposed the mantel into a shelf to hang over your bed. The way you decorated the shelf for fall is perfection!
Paula,
Thanks so much for stopping by.
I love a repurposed project Rachel. Love it! And I love your blog projects! laura in Colorado
Laura,
Thanks so much sweetie.
Love it! I just hadn’t started decorated for Fall yet! So hot still here in south Georgia! Hopefully next month! Thanks for sharing Rachel!
Margie,
This challenge really got me in the spirit.
What a great idea! It looks beautiful!
Stacy,
Thanks so much.
Your mantle is stunning! I love everything about it. You are so creative. Blessings to you.
Renae,
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Rachel, your repurposed mantel looks so pretty above your bed! I love the dried hydrangeas and all your pretty vintage items. And it was so smart to use the legs on the bathroom wall cabinet. Love it all!
Angie,
I appreciate your kind words. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
I’m always so impressed with your projects and your mantel shelf does not disappoint. Love your vintage touches Rachel and the addition of mirrors is so pretty. Pinning!
Michelle,
I really appreciate you for stopping by.
Rachel I am loving how you hung that great old mantel! The iron corbels are really great! Your fall decor is beautiful and those hydrangeas…😍
Cindy,
I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement.
Absolutely love it – and the bathroom cabinet! You guys continue to inspire my hubby and I to take on projects with our junk! Thank you!
Traci,
I really appreciate you for stopping by and sharing.
Rachel, your ideas are wonderful…I am inspired by every post.
The mantel shelf over the bed is a delight as well as the bathroom cabinet!
I save your posts and enjoy re-reading — have downsized to such a small house
but still get great ideas. Plan to use your bedroom mantel decorating for my mantel
over my small fireplace….thank you!
Oh, I’m so glad you like this and I really appreciate you for following along. You are so kind.
I love how you re-purposed your mantel, such a great piece and your vignette is gorgeous. What a fun and unusual item. It looks amazing above your bed.
Marty,
I really appreciate this. Thanks
What a great way to repurpose an old wood mantel, Rachel. You’ve decorated it so beautifully. All the vintage items have such interesting colors and shapes. Thanks for sharing.
Carol,
I really appreciate your kind words.
I love love a repurposed idea. When it’s a mantel it’s even closer to my heart! Those anchors are perfect and the entire shelf is a treasure. I can see why you didn’t want to leave it with the house. And wowza on using the legs for the bathroom cabinet too. Everything looks perfectly fall in your bedroom! Thanks for joining us. Pinned!
Cindy,
I appreciate you so much. Thanks for all your encouragement.
Your Fall mantel shelf is pretty and I love what you did with the rest. Waste not want not, is that your motto, very clever!
Marlene,
Yes, the waste not for sure. The want not isn’t as easy. Thanks so much.
Love your repurposed mantle, Rachel! The painted lantern, vintage books and decoupage pumpkins are perfect!
Crissy,
I appreciate your sweet comments.
I love this idea. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing
I really appreciate you for stopping by.
What an absolutely gorgeous grouping. I adore the soft shades that you used!
Laura,
Thanks so much.
Rachel,
This is so incredibly cozy and romantic for the bedroom. I am so inspired in that I am redecorating our guest room. I love this idea for faking a mantel. Beautiful!!
Christy,
I really appreciate this. Thanks so much.
I love this room. I want that headboard. Can you tell me what brand it is or where I can buy one. I really do love your taste!
Cindy,
I purchased this bed many years ago. It’s made by Drexel Heritage but I don’t know the name.
And Cindy Thanks for your sweet compliments.
That sign! Where did you find that? I’m pretty sure I need one.
Pamela,
I got that from House of Belonging several years ago. I’m not sure if she’s still selling the finished signs. You can find her account on Instagram @houseofbelonging
Such a cute mantel! It looks perfect for fall!!
I really appreciate that Kristin.
Oh, I love everything about this, Rachel. How clever! I’m pinning for sure!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Niky
Thanks so much for your sweet compliments.
I enjoyed this video so much..Repurposing items is so clever. I hate waste & when you’ve repurposed an item that’s so useful, it’s a WIN WIN! Your mantle looks great over your bed!
La Donna,
I appreciate this so much. You are always so supportive.
I love how you repurposed it!
Stacy,
Thanks so much.
I just love your style and love all the updates!!!
Sue,
I really appreciate this.
Love the mantel make over. Where did you find those hooks for shelf supports?
Karen,
I found those at Hobby Lobby. Thanks for stopping by.
What a beautiful fireplace you have created. I love how you added one when you did not have one. They are also so fun to style and you did an awesome job.
Wendy,
I appreciate you sweet comments.
I am always inspired by all your creative ways to use things. Although I
have downsized and downsized again; I love all your ideas and pass many along
to my friends and grands. Please keep them coming!
Blessings,
I’m so glad you found this inspiring. Thanks so much for stopping by.
This idea is lovely; as contractors, we frequently remove items when homeowners are updating and, God help me, I rather hoard them when they’re old, have quirky architectural details or are simply cool! I adore the black iron “corbels?” “anchors?” that you used and I wonder if you’d share where you found those? Thanks so much!! ~Chrissie
Chrissie,
Thank you for stopping by. Those were found at Hobby Lobby.