How to Update a Fireplace Mantle

Mantle Looked Kind of Blah

I’ve been meaning to update my fireplace mantle for a while (like months and months and months). I’ve been meaning to hang up two corbels I found (that just so happened to match in color and size to my mantle- DIY destiny you might say?). These poor little homeless corbels came home with me from Home Goods (literally saw the two of them on a shelf near the checkout line and scooped them up) and have been sitting collecting dust by my fireplace. But this week was the week! The week where I would conquer this DIY project and quit putting it off. What are you supposed to do? Visualize your end goal? Yes…if I squinted I could almost see it! I was going to be like Lannette Jennings or Christopher Lowell…yes…a pioneer in the DIY world.

Well, except there was this one problem with my vision and the way this project played out…. This project definitely doesn’t qualify as one a “pioneer in the DIY world” would do; it practically doesn’t even qualify as a “DIY project”. (I think it might have taken me longer to stand in line to buy the corbels than it did to actually hang them.) But I will share the process with your, dear reader, in case you too, want to conquer a project in record time. (Visualizing yourself as Lanette Jennings or Christopher Lowell being optional. Wink.)

Here is what the mantle looked like “before”. I didn’t change a thing- no staging. This is just what my mantle looked like on this day. Not the best decorating job, not the worst. Just Eh.

Here is what it looked like after hanging the corbels. What a difference! It definitely made it look more “finished” in my opinion. Read on to see the *awesome-sauce* glue I used. (This stuff was even available for contact-less pickup at my local Lowes!)

When it Comes to DIY, I’m Kind of Lazy

When it comes to doing projects, I like quick wins (and who am I kidding, I also like projects that are cheap ahem, “budget friendly”. So, a DIY project that can be done in less than 10 minutes and only require a tube of adhesive? Umm….YES please!

10 Minute Mantle Update & I Kind of Love It!

Update Your Own Mantle

Only 2 Things Needed

First off, you need (obviously) a corbel. Well, technically you need 2 corbels for this project. (Wink.) I found mine at Home Goods and they ended up being a perfect fit! Take a measurements and a tape measure with you to the store. (I love having this little miniature tape measure that I can keep in my purse or diaper bag.)

The next thing you need for this project is this glue. I’m sure “Liquid Nails” would work or something similar, but this stuff was awesome! If you get any on your hands you definitely want to be sure to wash them right away- this stuff has a bonding power that is cray!

As you can see below, I was a bit generous with the glue. But I didn’t want this sucker falling off, (causing a big crash), breaking, and also disrupting naptime! (This whole project only took 8 minutes from start to finish- including cleaning off both surfaces- mama had a LOT of naptime left afterwards to get stuff DONE!) It was worth the extra glue to ensure naptime was saved. Ha!

All I had to do was apply (my liberal amount of) glue and press firmly for 2 minutes. Really I don’t think I even had to press for that long. It seemed to be holding really well. (But remember: naptime preservation was at stake!)

This Gorilla Glue worked great! I cannot vouch for anything else- this is what I used and it was perfect! I would definitely use it again for other projects. ( I am adding this to my arsenal of “Mommy Approved” helpers (#1 is 3M Command Hooks that I use for hanging just about every picture in our house because…naptime. When else does a mother have time to hang pictures? Uh huh- naptime (or bedtime)- either one is sacred.

Want More Ideas?

See My Mantle Decorated for Christmas

See My Mantle Decorated for Fall

See My Mantle Decorated for Spring

Does Your Living Room Need Some No-Sew Throw Pillows?

Umm…that was a rhetorical question…of COURSE it does!

Check out these “no-sew” throw pillows here.