How high should a mantel shelf be above a fireplace?

A mantel shelf is typically mounted 12 inches above the inner section of a fireplace, which is called the firebox.

Today, fireplaces and mantels can be seen as a focal point in your decor. Vintage fireplaces and mantels have earned their coveted position as desirable focal points in any room over the course of a staggering evolution in design that has yielded everything from intricately carved works of limestone to sleek works of wood paneling and rolled steel.

Find antique and vintage fireplaces and mantels on 1stDibs.