Today’s homeowners find themselves remodeling and redecorating their home, and many are choosing decorative corbels to use in their remodeling projects. Decorative corbels are available in nearly every style and design you can think of. Decorative corbels can add an ornate touch of elegance or can be very simple depending on the desires of the homeowner. Corbels can be traced back to classical and medieval architecture. In those days Corbels were made of carved stone and served as supports for load bearing walls. Decorative corbels have evolved into accessories that are used in wooden furniture and cabinetry.
One of the more popular applications for decorative corbels day is in the kitchen. One of the first rooms at homeowners choose to remodel is the kitchen. The kitchen is generally a gathering place for brands and family, and decorative corbels will become the focal point of any properly designed kitchen remodel. Homeowners are installing decorative corbels on the corners of kitchen islands, underneath counter tops, or to hold up a shelf.
While wood corbels are one of the more popular choices, corbels are available in a wide variety of materials. Hand carved wood corbels however, remain the most popular choice. Corbels can hand carved intricate detail or lightly carved depending on the motif of the room. Corbels are carved and manufactured from a variety of different types of wood, including oak, cherry, and maple. Some corbels are made to be displayed in the natural wood form and some are designed for painting.
Decorative corbels are not limited to the kitchen. Many homeowners use corbels to support or add a touch of elegance to a fireplace mantel. Corbels can also be used to support a shelf, or to display a beautiful vase or family heirloom. Essentially there is no limit to the applications of decorative corbels.
Using corbels for decoration does not stop with interior use. The corbels are often used on the exterior of the home to add an old-style look and feel to the roof line or the corners of the home. For the most part decorative corbels are not used as often as they once were for actual support of a load-bearing wall. However, they can be when properly installed.
Whether you are a master wood craftsman or a typical do-it-yourself homeowner, corbels can put the finishing touches on a remodeling project that will add a sophisticated look and feel to your room.
Buying Corbels
In order for your decorative corbels project to be a success, there are a number of things for you to consider when you embark on your shopping journey. Corbels are available in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. The corbels that you choose should depends on what kind of look you are aiming for, that their purpose will be and where they will be placed.
To begin with, it’s important to consider the style of decorative corbels that will match your current décor. If you have a very traditional style in your home, then your corbels should reflect that as well.
So it may be wise to look for something with clean, well-defined lines; like a mission corbel. If you have more elaborate or ornamental sense of design, then something very ornate and decorative would be appropriate.
And something like an acanthus corbel would be perfect for a more modernly decorated space; they usually have very elegant leaf-like ornamentation that reflects a modern style well. You can also decide that you want to spice up your décor with the use of decorative corbels. For example, if the rest of the room is rather plain and simple, then something in wild contrast to that would bring a great look to the room.
If the room is already elaborate, a simple and understated corbel would be just the ticket. Consider both any existing décor as well as your personal taste when deciding.
Another great way to narrow down the options for decorative corbels is to base your decision on what the actual function of the corbel in your home. You can use corbels for decorative purposes like supporting a shelf or providing a decorative highlight to an area.
But they also have functional purposes like providing structural support for wall fixtures, counter tops, and even ceilings. Corbels used for decorative purposes only are usual slimmer and more ornate than those used for structural purposes. The function of the corbels is also an important factor when you are considering size.
If you need structural support of small items, then you need a corbel that is at least half the depth of what it will be supporting. Supporting a ceiling or large structure will require corbels that are at least as wide as the beams. Otherwise that will be unsafe and may be more likely to fall.
How Much Do Decorative Corbels Cost
Most consumers would know how to effectively price shop for regular every day household items. If you needed a new table, you would know how to go about finding a good price and what price is a rip off. But decorative corbels are often an unknown to consumers until they start to shop for them. There are definitely certain ways and tricks that you should know that will ensure that you find a reasonable and fair price.
First, you need to consider the materials that you are going to buy your corbels in. Polyurethane corbels are generally the least expensive. This is because the materials needed to make them are inexpensive and the molds can be made ahead of time so that the corbels can be mass produced. Wood corbels can also be very inexpensive though they will definitely be more than the polyurethane. This is because it is incredibly difficult to mass produce them. Some companies also offer resin or stone corbels. These will be the most expensive because they all must be hand carved and simply cannot be made from a mold.
Second, you need to determine what kind of decorative corbels that you want. Again, you have several different options that will all have different price brackets. If you want a corbel that is mass produced and made from a mold, this will be the most affordable. Then you have the custom made corbels. Sometimes these will simply be a custom made mold or all the way up to custom carved, the price range can vary but it will be more expensive on the list. The custom and hand carved will definitely be on the high end of the price range. Simply because of the amount of effort and labor that is required.
Lastly, you need to consider the source of the decorative corbels when you are shopping around. As with anything else, different kinds of stores will offer a different selection and price. If you buy your corbels directly from the carpenter that is making them, you can often save some money that a store might charge for stocking and shipping. Stores can often be more expensive but will definitely offer a wider selection. Online shopping is another great cost saver for corbels, just be sure to watch out for high shipping costs.
Our hope is that you will find your own unique application of using decorative wood corbels for your next remodeling project. Our articles will detail how to choose corbels, how to install corbels, and what you can expect to pay for decorative corbels. We hope that you find our information useful, resourceful, and practical.
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