Fireplace Designs and Ideas
A fireplace is a good way to improve the atmosphere of your home. It adds a certain amount of soft warmth and beauty to your living area. There are many different elements of a fireplace design. Choosing the right type and design for your fireplace will increase your home's beauty and overall appeal. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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There are three main types of fireplaces to choose from: wood burning, gas log and electric. A wood-burning fireplace may make your home smell smoky while in use. This type is also harder to clean as it produces ash. Despite these downfalls, a wood-burning fireplace can help you lower your utility bills during the winter as it uses wood, which is can be low cost or even free, depending on where you live. You cannot smell a gas log fireplace while it is in use, and it requires little to no maintenance. If you do not currently have a fireplace in your home and want to add one, purchase a faux electric fireplace. You can set this fireplace up to emit heat or just show flames for decorative purposes.
Hearth Design
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One of the main elements of a fireplace is the hearth design. The hearth is what you see around the outside of your fireplace. You can position the hearth flush to the floor (most common), suspended above the floor or even sunk below the floor. Typical hearth designs are rectangular in shape, although you can choose a custom fireplace that features a rounded or circular hearth. Brick or stone can be used to create a rustic hearth.
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Corner Fireplace
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A corner fireplace is something to consider if your home does not currently have the fireplace that you desire. Most contractors can add the ventilation necessary to accommodate a wood-burning fireplace, or they can install a gas log. Homeowners can install sheetrock from the top of the mantle of the fireplace up to the ceiling to create a place to hang a flat screen TV. In doing so, they add an entertainment area to their home that boasts a custom feel.
Outdoor Fireplace
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If you want an outdoor living area that has a comfortable and cozy appeal, consider adding an outdoor fireplace to your home. If your home features brick, stone or stucco, have the fireplace made from the same materials. This will make it look like it was custom built along with your home. A contractor can create unique outdoor fireplaces in a wide variety of design themes. They can also be modified so that you can use them to cook and bake foods in your outdoor living area.
Mantle Design
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The mantle is the part of your fireplace that surrounds the hearth. Mantles are usually made of wood such as cherry or mahogany. You can paint it to match the color of your baseboards to create a nice flow in your living area. A mantle can be very simple or can feature ornate designs. You can also choose a mantle made from stone or masonry, although those types of mantles will be hard to modify should you wish to redesign your home or fireplace.
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