Instant Mantel: Home Depot, Various Locations

Just in time for the holidays, The Home Depot is marking down some of their more expensive mantels. I call them "instant" mantels, because you don't need to have a real fireplace in order to install them. The mantels can usually be installed in less than an afternoon, and are a quick way to create a focal point in the room.

The mantel at left is 50% off the normal retail price (was $1,400). It's constructed from solid wood and designed in a more traditional style. Would look equally well in a traditional or new home.

If the retail price is still not in your budget, look for a cheaper fiberglass model. When painted, you usually can't tell the difference between fiberglass and real wood mantels.

So what goes inside? You can go with an electric fireplace insert, a gel fuel product, or you can simply use candles. Mix differing sizes of monochromatic pillar candles in different sized holders in order to fill the space.

See homedepot.com for locations.

Photo from homedepot.com