For generations, fireplaces have served as a source of warmth and a focal point in American homes. And a good fireplace is so much more than just a source of warmth: It’s the heart of your home, the architectural core of a living space where family and friends can come together. Whether you have a fireplace with a big, elegant mantle or a simple one — the choice is yours — it’s high time to start to think of the fixture as the center of your living room: It can dictate the look of some, and maybe even all, of the rest of your design decisions.
For homeowners choosing special financing options, one popular option in the hard money lender in South Carolina is when homeowners use a hard money lender. For instance, there is every good reason to focus on common design aspects that will significantly increase the current value and appeal without spending an arm and leg. Following are five real-world ways to make that fireplace the centerpiece, and your living space feel as cozy and grown-up, without all the fiddle-faddle.
Designing Around the Fireplace: Creating a Natural Gathering Spot
Any place that draws people in, you would expect the fireplace to be. When you think about design in your living room, the fireplace is the place where it makes sense to draw people in. We can help with that, and to help you get started, start with the furniture arranged toward or around the fireplace. So instead of lining couches and chairs against the wall, bring them together near the hearth. This setup is fun to chat and cozy to be in. Ideally, you want to create a welcoming ‘zone’ around the fire, where everyone feels free to flop.
Large-scale pieces of furniture can overwhelm a dainty fireplace, and teeny ones can disappear in a big room. When you are trying to scale furniture to the size of the fireplace surround and mantel, you’re going for an even proportion of furniture to fireplace. Try to have a clear path for walking to and from the hearth, to avoid requiring walkers to circumvent it.
A second piece of advice: You have to make the room warm and fun. This adds a little something to break up the space and to warm it up. Place it off-center If your fireplace is off-center on a wall (and let’s be clear, my best angle looked at the wall like it was a Meat Lover’s Pizza, with it occupying the middle forever), you may don’t want to plop all of your seating directly facing it but rather at an angle to keep things interesting. Even in open-plan spaces, visual hints — like rugs, or bookcases — can assist the fireplace zone in feeling distinct.
The goal is to transform the fireplace into the heart of the living room. When it feels to them as if they are seated back toward it and it feels like a comfortable, nothing-up-my-sleeve arrangement, they really can become the center of how people gather together, or sit quietly together for a few moments.
Choosing the Right Materials and Colors to Highlight Your Fireplace
It is the colors and materials you use when designing a fireplace that will determine whether it is a success or not. To make it your own, begin with a fabric that you love or that feels different from the rest of the space. Brick, stone, and tile have always been contenders, bringing character and texture into a space. For a bit of a more modern look, polished concrete or glossier metal finishes are the type of minimal look you may prefer.
Color, as anyone who wants to be noticed knows, is an important factor in attracting attention. A contrasting color that boldly pops off neutrals. The fact that an equally bold and saturated color, not to mention the saturated color, will stand out against the neutral wall. A fireplace with an accent color that isn’t a bright white or pasty beige is bold in and of itself. As in: a dark charcoal or navy fireplace framed by sharp white walls. If you prefer something softer, the warm, earth-toned range of natural stone is snuggly without the sensation of being swamped in warmth.
Texture matters as much as color. The stone or brick has a tactile texture; it adds depth and warmth for the eye and the hand. Materials can also be combined — a wood mantel with a stone surround, say — to bring in more layers and depth.
Don’t forget the mantel itself. It’s an amazing place to introduce personality with wall or table decor, but it’s also what grounds the entire sensibility. Choose the mantel itself to match the style — rustic wood for farmhouse or smooth metal for modern minimalism.
Using Lighting and Accessories to Enhance Fireplace Appeal
Orchestrate the lighting around your hearth and you can change its mood and appeal significantly. Start with the obvious: enough light for safety and visibility, without washing out the cozy glow of the fire. You want soft, warm lighting here.
You might think about flanking the fireplace with sconces for even light. These pieces bring a touch of elegance, and they draw attention to the hearth. If you have the space, floor lamps nearby will also enhance the relaxed atmosphere. For contemporary homes, LED strip lights that are tucked beneath the mantel can illuminate the fireplace shape without casting it in a direct spotlight.
Your fireplace’s beauty is also highly enhanced by its accessories. A sharp-looking wood holder, fireplace tools, or decorative screen brings personality and function. Place mirrors on or above the mantel to reflect the light and open the space, while artwork or a statement-making clock can add a personal touch.
Plants are another great addition. Foliage cushions hard surfaces and brings freshness to the fireplace area. Just make sure to keep plants far away from open flames.
