Make Your Fireplace the Center of Attention

Fireplaces are made to bring warmth into our homes. They also bring people together to get cozy and gather by the fire. Despite this, the aesthetic capabilities of fireplaces get overlooked. The layouts of rooms are typically centered around the fireplace. Because of this, revamping your fireplace area can change and improve the atmosphere of the space. Make a bold statement by adding decorative and functional elements to your fireplace.

Types of Fireplaces
The most common types of fireplaces are wood-burning, gas-burning, and electric. Wood-burning fireplaces provide the cozy crackling fire. Burning wood is an excellent source of heat. They do require a chimney or vent. If you don’t want to keep wood on hand, gas-burning fireplaces keep the traditional look but are easier to install and clean than wood-burning fireplaces. Electric fireplaces are easy to install and cost-effective to heat rooms. Electric fireplaces can come in many configurations including wall inserts, TV stands, and entertainment centers.

Double-sided Fireplace
A double-sided or peninsula fireplace allows you to add comfort and warmth in two rooms at once. They can also be used as room dividers. For example, a double-sided fireplace that connects that master bedroom and bath will add a touch of luxury. Using a darker contrast color from the rest of the home will make your fireplace an eye-catching focal point in multiple spaces.

Hearth
The surface directly in front of a fireplace is called a hearth. Hearths can be raised, flat, or cantilevered. They not only add a decorative element to your fireplace, but it protects flooring and ensures safe distance from the hot surface. There are many choices for hearth materials including granite, slate, and marble. The type of material you should choose depends on your desired style and the type of fireplace you have.

Surround
An easy way to add personality to your fireplace is by adding a decorative tile surround. This area is most commonly tiled. There are many options for tiles with ceramic, porcelain, glass, and stone being the most popular choices. The possibilities are endless when deciding on a tile surround design. You can choose a dark, neutral tone tile to add warmth or add a pop of color to liven up spaces.

(Architectural Ceramics, 2019)
Mantel
The mantel is the shelf above the fireplace that adds protection to the wall from heat. However, they are now used mostly as a decorative element due to the popularity of gas and electric fireplaces. Mantels can create a traditional look and can be used as a statement area in the space. If you wish for a more contemporary look, you may want to add a floating mantel or lose the mantel all together.

Accent Wall
A great way to bring attention to your fireplace is to add an accent wall behind it. You can paint the wall a contrasting color or use decorative tiles that create a pattern. If your fireplace has a mantel, you can break the accent wall by using paint and tile. Typically, the tile surround will stop at the mantel. However, you can continue the same tile the whole way up the wall. This will create a visual height to the room.

Use these tips to make your fireplace the coziest spot in your home. Designing your fireplace is a great time to get creative. There are many different options to choose from that will make your fireplace feel comforting and inviting.