Corbels Guide

One of the great things about corbels is that they are not limited to any one use. In fact, they have many different uses, the most common of which are profiled here. As time has gone on, people have invented more and more innovative ways to take advantage of the affordability and availability of the modern corbel. The functional and attractive corbel is an important design element in today’s homes.

There are three main indoor uses for corbels these days: mantels, bookshelves, and countertops.  This is where you will almost always find them today. In fact, maybe your own home is already incorporating these styles.

Mantels

Here we will find stone and marble corbels holding up fireplace mantels. Even if they are not literally supporting the weight, this is a very beautiful use. It is a great way to frame this centerpiece of so many homes: the fireplace. Without them, this area of the house is left looking a bit more plain than maybe you would like.
Bookshelves

Of course, bookshelves are the ideal use of a corbel. It is able to support the shelf from below and by attaching in some manner to the wall. As always, you can go with a plain style if you are really just using it for its functional purpose, or you can get fancy (and spend a little bit more money) and make the bookshelf a bit more of a visible accent in whatever room it is in.

photo credit: iLoveButter

Countertops
And then we have countertop corbels. They immediately add life and style to any kitchen in which they appear. Here you can often either go with stone, wood, or a plastic. It is all up to you and your own stylistic and design desires. Sometimes these can even be almost hidden underneath the counter.

Many homeowners learn about corbels in the process of a kitchen remodeling project. Corbels are serve both a functional and design purpose in supporting countertops, especially the heavier stone or marble ones.

As you can see, there are many different uses for corbels, with each accentuating this support in its own unique way. Of course, people still to this day continue to use them sparingly on the outside of their houses even. They can be seen between the top of the exterior wall and the roof as it juts out into space. The only downside here is that if you have a great design carved into the corbel, it still may not even be visible from the ground. But this is the case in all outdoor applications.

The fact remains that this method of supporting and accenting different surfaces from below is here to stay. It has proven its timelessness and its relevance over and over again, and corbels can be used in a variety of ways.