Fireplace tips, ideas and inspiration

Feb 26

A fireplace is a great feature to have in a room. It provides a bit of architectural detail, as well as a focal point around which you can position your layout. Whether you already have a fireplace or are thinking about installing a false one, here are some tips, ideas and inspiration for your fireplace.

Be led by the style and age of your home

I’ve been involved in a couple of projects which involve adding a fireplace into a room which is currently just a square box. It can absolutely be done, but I’d recommend thinking about the age and style of your home, and making sure your fireplace is in keeping with the rest of your home.

If your home is older, it’s worth researching typical fireplace widths and positions for the age of your home. If you’ve got a new build, going for a more contemporary and streamlined style will suit your home.

Choosing a surround

Again, it’s worth being led by the age of your home, as well as the style of the rest of your home when choosing a surround.

A fireplace is an opportunity to make a real design statement, as it’s the focal point in the room. A eye-catching stone can make an incredible statement, and you can either purchase these to be made to order, or you can also find some amazing antique fireplace surrounds if you google for reclaimed fireplace surrounds in your area.

If you want to go for a more understated look, paintable surrounds give you the flexibility to choose the colour of your fireplace.

To mount the TV or not?

Where the TV goes is usually a hot topic when I work with clients on their living rooms - should it go above the fireplace and be noticeable, or do we try to disguise it in an alcove? In fact I wrote an entire blog post about integrating the TV with your living room.

It’s important to think about how far away your sofa is from the fireplace, and where it’s angled. If your room is wide and you’re facing the fireplace head on, then having a TV at a raised angle is going to be more comfortable than if you’re sat very close to it at a perpendicular angle - at which point you might want to consider putting it cornered in an alcove and instead put some art or a mirror above the mantle.

If you really hate the idea of the TV being the focal point, the Samsung Frame is a TV which can display “art” while it’s switched off.

What to put either side of your fireplace

Usually your chimney breast will be in the center of the wall, giving some space either side which raises the question - what do we put there? The answer will depend on your budget, your layout, and your storage requirements.

Built-in alcove cabinets and shelves look particularly good in more traditional or transitional style homes, although they can also be designed in a more contemporary way for example with slab doors and in exposed plywood.

An alcove also is a good space to add an armchair especially if you have floating shelves above for books - to create a reading corner. Or if you want the storage but don’t want to commit to built in furniture, a sideboard works well in an alcove too.

Choosing a colour

Of course you can go for a traditional and minimalist white, but if this is going to be the focal point of the room why not add some colour?

I’m a fan of colour drenching, which is where you paint all surfaces in a room the same colour which can include the fireplace.

If you have white walls, adding a pop of colour through the fireplace can look great too - whether it’s a vibrant colour or a more muted one.

Tiles and hearths

And finally, don’t forget the inside of your fireplace. This will be dictated by whether you have a heat source in there and what’s appropriate to have around it, but there’s an opportunity to add some interest here too, whether it’s a statement tile against a more minimalist backdrop, a piece of rustic looking stone, or exposed brick.

If you’d like my help with your next project, check out my services to see how we can work together. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, don’t forget to subscribe at the bottom of this page to receive my new post in your inbox every Sunday.