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Fireplaces have come a long way since the small fire pits in the center of a hut our ancestors would have huddled around. Once essential for feeding and warming a family, fireplaces have since evolved into design focal points that are as attractive to look at as they are functional. Rather than cooking over them (though some do), today, we snuggle up next to them with our families, keeping warm as we watch a movie or read a book.
Since a custom fireplace is a centerpiece in today’s homes, you need to know how to style it. And that means learning all about the latest fireplace styling trends.
Below, we have some tips and tricks to get you started.
Make Your Fireplace the Focal Point
Choosing a focal point is the first step in custom fireplace decoration.
The focal point of a room is a single element that sets the tone for a space. It’s what people notice first when they step into a room. Often, a fireplace naturally becomes the focal point: it’s large, typically centrally located, and looks attractive.
Start by thinking about you can enhance or complement this existing focal point—your fireplace.
If you have a large window with a stunning view, arrange your furniture to face the window and the fireplace. Perhaps you possess a particularly interesting or expensive piece of artwork or statement piece of furniture. Place that decor item near the fireplace to tie the two together.
Another cheaper option is to use accessories to draw attention to your custom fireplace.
Anchor the fireplace seating area with a bold area rug or vibrant throw pillows. Choose vases, candlesticks, or other decor items that complement the style and materials of your custom fireplace to draw attention to it.
Consider the Style and Materials of Your Fireplace
We touched on this above; it’s vital to consider the style and materials of the fireplace itself. After all, you want everything in the room to feel cohesive and intentional.
Is your fireplace modern and sleek, or rustic and traditional? Does it feature natural stone or polished metal? These factors can help guide your decorating ideas.
Look for decorative elements that harmonize with the design of your fireplace.
For example, if you have a rustic stone fireplace, consider adding decor items made from natural materials such as wood or leather. If your fireplace has a contemporary metal finish, choose decor items with clean lines and geometric shapes.
Another way to approach this is to purposefully contrast the fireplace materials and style.
If your fireplace features a smooth, polished surface, incorporate rougher textures such as woven baskets. This will add warmth and texture to the room.
If your fireplace has a textured surface, hunt down smooth, shiny accents made of glass or burnished metal. This creates contrast and reflects light.
Create a Balanced Layout
Balance is among the decorating tips most often highlighted by design professionals. Whether your room is large or small, the way you arrange furniture and decor significantly impacts the feel and function.
But that doesn’t mean everything has to be symmetrical!
First, choose a focal point (as discussed above) and arrange your furniture to complement it. For example, if your fireplace is the room’s focal point, set your seating area to face it and create a cozy conversation area.
When arranging furniture, consider using symmetry, asymmetry, or radial arrangements to create an aesthetically pleasing composition.
- Symmetry involves arranging furniture in a balanced, mirrored pattern
- Asymmetry involves using contrasting shapes, sizes, and colors to create an intentionally unbalanced look
- A radial arrangement involves placing furniture or decor in a circular pattern around a central point
You can do the same with accessories like area rugs, curtains, and wall art.
Add Lighting to Enhance the Ambiance
In addition to natural light, use a mix of overhead, task, and accent lighting to create a layered lighting scheme around your fireplace. For example:
- Overhead lighting provides general illumination and helps balance areas of shadow
- Task lighting provides targeted lighting for specific activities
- Accent lighting is used to highlight particular areas or objects
An example of overhead lighting would be recessed lights or a chandelier. Task lighting might be a reading lamp. Decorative wall scones on either side of a fireplace mantel could be considered accent lighting.
As with other decor features, consider the materials, size, fuel type, and room placement of your fireplace when selecting lighting.
Keep Safety in Mind
Fireplaces are beautiful, functional home appliances. And while modern fireplaces are typically very safe, there are some safety considerations you need to keep in mind when decorating your fireplace.
Whether your fireplace is gas, electric, or wood-burning, you must follow safety guidelines. These should be provided by the company your purchase your fireplace from. If you don’t get any guidelines, look up the make and model of your fireplace online and download or request the user manual. Alternatively, consult your local fire department regarding fire safety advice.
Some standard advice includes:
- Keeping furniture at a safe distance from the fireplace
- Avoiding placing flammable materials such as curtains, rugs, or upholstered furniture too close to the fireplace
- Keeping a fire extinguisher nearby
- Using a fire screen (for wood-burning fireplaces)
- Using fire-safe mantel decoration
- Scheduling regular maintenance
There are particular guidelines related to families with children and pets, too. Do your research to avoid disaster!
Get the Custom Fireplace of Your Dreams
Decorating your custom fireplace allows you to create a warm, inviting living space centering on a stunning focal point—the fireplace!
You can incorporate complementary decor elements and add lighting to create a cohesive design scheme.
Of course, safety is also paramount. Follow safety guidelines for furniture placement, flammable materials, and fire prevention. This ensures the area around your fireplace is functional and human-friendly.
Dreifuss has been creating custom fireplaces for home and business owners in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for well over a century. Trust us to install the fireplace of your dreams; we’ll even offer helpful decor advice!
Get a free estimate today.
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Save Big: How Much Does It Cost To Convert Two Garage Doors To One?
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