How to Add Woodwork Trim Above The Fireplace Mantel

Remember how we have a huuuge crush on all pretty fireplaces? Some (okay, a LOT) of fireplace makeovers require a lot of work, a moderate expense, or fancy tools. BUT you can get the look of today’s fireplace feature with just some basic lumber and cuts, caulk, and paint, for around $60! Read below to see how Tamara updated her living room by adding some woodwork trim above the fireplace to form a faux “chimneypiece” type of focal wall. It’s so lovely, and so easy!

 How to Add Trim Above the Fireplace
by Tamara from Provident Home Design

Hello! My name is Tamara and I’m visiting you today from my blog Provident Home Design. I strongly believe that you can create a beautiful home no matter the size of your budget! At Provident Home Design I share decorating, deals, and design tips as well as lots of do-able DIY.

From sharing DIY tutorials such as creating these abstract paintings

to keeping you up to date on all my home renovations (which includes this budget kitchen redo)

you will find it all!

Today I’m excited to be at Remodelaholic to share with you a very simple yet impactful tutorial for adding woodwork above your mantel!

To demonstrate the impact check out my mantel before and after woodwork was added (and fireplace painted white).

 

Before

 

After

Huge difference, right? Believe it or not this is a pretty easy and inexpensive DIY. Here are the steps I took to get this dramatic change.

Note: Be sure to line it up with the width of the fireplace not the mantle. Use 1 1/2 inch finishing nails. If you don’t use a nail gun be sure to drill pilot holes through the wood before nailing.

Note: No need to miter just sit the 1×4’s directly on the 1×2. You can go back and caulk later.

An optional 6th step is to add crown molding to the top of the woodwork. Initially I didn’t and still really loved how it looked. I ended up having it crowned later on when the rest of the room was getting crown molding.

This project went quickly and came in under $60 which includes the price of paint, wood, nails, and paint supplies. A lot of bang for the buck!

I love how adding the woodwork above the mantel establishes the fireplace as the focal point of the room, draws the eye up making the height room appear taller, and acts as a stunning backdrop to your mantel décor. The photo below shows how I had it decorated for Christmas this year. It just wouldn’t have had the same effect without the woodwork!

Thank you Remodelaholics for having me! I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel free to come visit me anytime! 😉

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Thank you for sharing with us, Tamara! Such a big impact for such a small cost and small amount of work — and it looks lovely all decorated for Christmas, too!

Go visit Tamara at Provident Home Design to see more of her budget-friendly home projects (like her kids’ bathroom makeover) and learn more of her tips (like how to paint a vanity like a pro and 10 ways to give your kitchen a high-end look on a low-end budget)

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Looking for more ways to use trim to add class and charm to your home? Try one of 40+ wainscoting styles to make your moldings gorgeous!