Fireplace Surrounds Designs

Fireplace Surrounds Designs

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The usual gas or wood burning fireplace has three major parts: the hearth, mantel and surrounds. Most of the time homeowners give emphasis on the hearth and mantel because they think that these parts are the primary decorative features of a fireplace. However, it must be taken into account that aside from the hearth and mantel, fireplace surrounds are also valuable design features. As a matter of fact, if surrounds are properly decorated with design oriented fire resistant materials, chances are, your surrounds would become the focal decorative feature of your fireplace.



The fireplace surrounds of traditional wood and gas burning fireplace were commonly created from hand carved wood. However, modern materials that are non-porous and fire resistant are now used as alternatives such as bricks, tiles, marbles and limestone. These pieces are more preferred by many homeowners because they are safer to use, and they are also highly ornamental. Nonetheless, they are inexpensive as their natural appeal need no further design works to highlight their features, unlike wood which needs to be hand carved in order to look appealing.



To update the look of your fireplace, the best thing to do is to start with your fireplace surrounds. There are various design ideas that you could do to make use of any of the aforementioned materials. If you want a rustic looking fireplace, consider using limestone for your surrounds as this natural stone product complements earth tone furniture pieces that could induce a country vibe in your space. For a European inspired home, highlighting the strong features of your space could be done by using marble surrounds on your fireplace; such design is truly sophisticated and works well with darker hues.



If you have fireplace mantel surrounds, which is the combination of surrounds and mantel, the best materials to use to update its look are bricks. There fired color of bricks will leave a classic look on your fireplace, and could also become your inspiration for the overall interior design of your living space. Likewise, the alternating courses of the headers and stretchers often produced when bricks are stacked together mimics the grandiosity of well known structures around the world such as Germany's Chile house or the Thornbury Castle in England; hence, when you use these on your surrounds it is as if you have your own famous landmark inside your home. However, if you're not into classical design, you can also paint the bricks with your chosen hue to make it appear more upbeat; just try to make sure that it complements the color scheme of your home's interiors.



Similar to bricks, tiles are also perfect materials to achieve softer looking fireplace mantel surrounds. In order to reflect you personality on your surrounds, try to combine mosaic glass tiles or pebble tiles together and create a specific image or pattern that best represent your character. If you lack the patience and creativity to put tiles together, you can have your tile surrounds digitally customized for you; this technique uses digital manipulation over the tile to create certain images or murals, but this could cost you an arm and a leg so better be prepared with your money if you want to have this type of tile surrounds. Tiles have a wide range of design possibilities, all you have to do is to be creative and imaginative enough in order to translate these possibilities onto your own surrounds.



Meanwhile, if you are living in the city and you want a quick fix fireplace that you don't have to redesign to update its looks; faux electric fireplace is suitable for you. What's really good about this fireplace is that it is easily detachable, which allows you to transfer it from one place to another. Some electric fireplace furnishings are also equipped with mantel and surrounds which you accentuate with glass panels. Generally, with the design capabilities of your surrounds, dong some changes on its materials and finish can go a long way to make your fireplace all the more visually interesting.

About the Author:
Nothing beats the power of fireplace during cold evenings. As the fireplace is the most functional and appealing fire feature we can have at home, its design needs should be properly attended. The appearance of your fireplace surrounds or fireplace mantel surrounds should be designed based on you personal preference when it comes to color and materials.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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