How high should wood mantle be?

3 years ago

I am going to have this entire fireplace wall taken down. Ceiling height is 20ft. Top will be board and batten and the top of mantle will stay at current height although will be about 8 inches shorter as previos person has it butted into the shutters. I had posted asking for advice on what to use as finish on ends of 12x24 tiles that will be below the mantle as the tile is rectified but does not have a bullnose option. In my post I had mentioned that the mantle will be 6ft long and 8” depth and 8” high. This was recommended by the contractor. I had doubts about it being 8” high but am not an expert and someone said that is a “terrible proportion”. How high should it be? It will be custom made but I need to decide asap as he is building it next week. Pics for reference of current design.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Lyn Nielson
3 years ago
when you ask how high should the mantle be are you asking how high off the floor?

or how big should the mantle be?

will it be a rough beam type mantle? a finished smooth mantle?

are you changing the firebox? no hearth? 12 x 24 tiles with a simple beam mantle?

Do you have any inspo pix? are you keeping the shutters?
L B
Original Author
3 years ago
I cropped inspo pic bc bottom is different from what I am doing. I want a floating wood beam but the one is this picture doesn't look quite big enough for 20ft ceilings. My mantle will be 6ft long and 8"deep and I was going to have the height be 6 or 7" but he told me 8" will be better due to ceiling height.
Related Professionals
Syracuse Architects & Building Designers · Huntsville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Carbondale Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lawton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Gloucester Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · South Sioux City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ocala Furniture & Accessories · Enfield Furniture & Accessories · Lake City Interior Designers & Decorators · Elkton Interior Designers & Decorators · Aurora Interior Designers & Decorators · Bowling Green Tile and Stone Contractors · Vineland Tile and Stone Contractors · Nashville Tile and Stone Contractors · Sanford Tile and Stone Contractors
L B
Original Author
3 years ago
Oh and firebox is remaining. I don't want smooth beam as I like the look of wood.
Lyn Nielson
3 years ago
6" is plenty ... do you plan to put anything ON the mantle?

8" x6" is a statement, even with 20' ceilings. keep it simple.
L B
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes I like a decorated mantle! My current one is 9.5 inches deep but it isn't thick like a wood beam so thought that may stick too far out.