Exciting New Fireplace Mantel Designs for 2010

There is nothing as appealing as a room in which a fireplace is the focal point. What could be more inviting than a fire crackling in a fireplace, surrounded by comfortable sofas and chairs, a few tossed pillows and a warm fuzzy throw? The only problem is that they are very expensive to install, and maintaining and fueling it can be a real burden with today's uncertain economy.

This is not the problem you may think it is. Today there are electric fireplaces that can be installed easily and cheaply, and provide everything you love in a fireplace...without the mess. They are portable, and can be moved to another location, such as a bedroom or even a master bath. If you want ambiance and no heat, switch off the heat and just enjoy the flames!

Not only is an electric fireplace cheaper to install; it also enables you to dial down the heat and warm only the areas you need it in. Rooms that aren't being used, like a guest bedroom, does not have to be heated. Andirons and other fireplace accessories are no longer necessary, unless you are using them for aesthetics in front of a fireplace surround.

As icing on the cake, portable electric fireplaces are more environmentally forgiving. Think of the trees you will be saving and the air you won't be polluting with smoke and carbon! They are also much safe if you have children in the house. You won't have to fear them getting burnt, or throwing things in an open fireplace. And when you turn off this fireplace, it will not suck all the warm air out of your home and out through the flue.

You will have dozens of choices when you go to pick out your fireplace mantel and fireplace surround.

In woods, you can select fireplace mantels in maple, oak, mahogany, alder, pine, hemlock, cherry, and poplar. Just choose your wood type, design, size and finish. Do you want to frame out your fireplace or have a mantel shelf, to place your favorite accessories on?

But fireplace mantels don't have to be made of wood. How about stone? You can choose from a number of stone finishes and colors. You can go rough, smooth, or highly polished; veined or solid. If you use gypsum stone, it can be faux finished or painted any color you choose. Do you prefer granite, limestone, or perhaps marble for your fireplace surround?

As for design, you can choose something the is a period piece, antique, go traditional, rustic, modern, or anything in between. And if you truly cannot find exactly what you want from all of these choices, you can custom design the perfect fireplace mantel for your home.

You really want to have these finishing touches to make your fireplace look as though it was built in. The installation is quite simple, and you can do it yourself. Most times, the mantle brackets are included with your fireplace mantels.