It’s finally September and autumn is just around the corner! Yippee! Do you love fall like I do? I’ve got it so bad that I switch the Christmas song to this season, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year….” Perfect time for a DIY floating mantel, don’t you think?
At $4 a foot, this was a steal because no one wants old-looking barn beams, except rare finds like me. ahem. We took the whole family and had a blast because rarely do we get to be out on farm with all its sights, sounds, and animals. It didn’t take long for me to find the perfect beam with perfect imperfections.
DIY TIME
A floating mantel was the option we did, which basically means that it doesn’t attach to “legs”, but looks as if it is floating on the wall. Want to do one yourself? You don’t have to use a barn beam, but anything you want really. It’s pretty simple, but there are a few necessary steps to take to make it safe and secure.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- barn beam or other mantel piece
- hammer drill
- 1/2″ lag bolts, 6-10″ long (how many depends on your length, see below)
- 3/4″ anchor sleeves, 3″ long (with 1/2″ interior diameter)
- ratchet with socket
Lag anchor sleeve - tape
- wood/metal epoxy
- level
- tape measure
- chalk line marker
- chalk
- small sledge hammer
- hacksaw or angle grinder
First, check the codes in your area for installing a mantel. We have a raised hearth, with a fireplace insert, and added 13″ from the top of the insert, putting the top of our mantel at 49″ above the hearth. Once you’ve figured out your height, you will need to find the studs in the wall with a stud finder or other method.
Next, grab a tape measure and mark the spots across the wall, making sure you’ll be landing in a stud at the correct height. Double-check by using a level and chalk line marker to give you a visible guide. Since we are drilling into our bricks, we found a mortar line and used it as a guide.
You will need to know the length of your mantel to figure how many bolts you will need. When you’ve got your measurement you’ll want to use this formula:
- Find center – mark it with chalk. Starting from center, measure out 12″ each direction and mark. We used 5 bolts for our 7’4″ beam at 12″ apart, leaving large space at ends because of the openings in our beam. You could go to the edge.
MOUNTING MANTEL
NEXT STEPS
More DIY projects like my DIY floating mantel:
Looks very pretty, Larissa! I love the color of the beam and the homey way you decorated for Fall.
Great job!
How beautiful Larissa – how absolutely beautiful!!!
But I can’t visit if you’re going to sing Christmas songs – I’m still in denial that it’s FALL LMHO
Happy Labor day
Hugs,
Suzan
It looks amazing….such a great hubby! I keep seeing all the beautiful things for each season you can decorate it with….congrats!
Wow you found the perfect beam and dressed it for fall beautifully.
Hi Larissa,
I’m here from Brenda’s blog. I just love your new “old mantel” 🙂
Darling Blog. I’m your newest follower.
Enjoy your weekend!
~Liz
Cute, cute, cute! I’m visiting from Cozy Little House’s Welcome Wagon post. I write at http://www.stringtownhome.net. Next week several other bloggers and I are having a fall decorating party… I’d love for you to come link up! 🙂 Love your blog!
Love the old rustic beam you found. Your fall goodies look great on it!
Mary Alice
LOVE the beam. Looks great. Tell your hubby nice job! Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday’s Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-7.html
Love your new mantel, such a creative way using a beam! All your pretty fall things look so festive on it!
Jody
What a wonderful looking mantel. I am envious. Your fall decor looks great!
This looks great! I love your rustic feel. I’d love for you to link up to The DIY’ers! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-diyers-28.html
Your rustic mantel is beautiful. It has wonderful patina. It could tell us some stories I think.
Love the little nooks in the mantle! You can hide all kinds of little decorating surprises!
Your new mantel is fabulous! I looks amazing against the brick of the fireplace and I just love how you’ve decorated it. Love it.
Gorgeous…. I love it!
Your mantle is wonderful, and styled so beautifully! You guys did a great job!!!
What a difference that mantel and your decorations made to your fireplace! Makes that wall look so much homier and cozy now. I’m planning to put some floating shelves on my dining room wall soon, so thanks for the inspiration.
Love the barn wood beam. Looks a little tricky to install, but you’ll did a wonderful job. Looks so good.
Enjoy…
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Love and need this tutorial, thanks for linking up, I pinned it!