How to Decorate a Fireplace Surround

Fireplaces add a nice touch to any home. Some fireplaces are the centerpiece of a living room, or you may have a fireplace in the bedroom for a cozy ambiance. Whether the fireplace was built-in or purchased, fireplaces create warmth, romance and depth in a room. Decorating the area around the fireplace is an activity that the entire family should have a voice in. With a few touches here and there you can redesign the look and feel of the entire room, not just the fireplace area.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Pictures
• Flowers
• Wood
• Hearth rug
• Artwork
• Mirrors

Instructions

1. Paint the walls around the fireplace to make the fireplace stand out. A complementary color can make the fireplace stand out without becoming an eyesore. If your fireplace sticks out, don't paint the side walls; in this case, having the side walls and the fireplace wall the same color will create depth between the fireplace and the adjacent walls of the room. If there is brick around the fireplace, use a neutral color pattern so you don't offset the color of the brick.

2. Add a hearth rug in front of the fireplace. A half-moon shape rug connects the fireplace to the room, but a square hearth rug extends the fireplace to the floor. Choose a light color rug if you have dark-colored hardwood floors.

3. Add wood trim around the fireplace to create a decorative frame around the fireplace. Try a mahogany or walnut wood trim to maintain a neutral color palette. To brighten a room, use a lighter wood such as alder or pine, which provides a rustic look. Place small paintings or family portraits on the mantel to add a personal touch to the fireplace surround.

4. Install square mirrors above the fireplace to artistically reflect the room. Mirrors create the illusion of space and, when strategically placed, can make what is across the room stand out. For example, a piece of art placed across from the fireplace will reflect in the mirror above the fireplace. For dark-colored walls, use a mirror with a lighter colored frame. For red brick walls, consider using a black frame around the mirror.

References

• Real Simple: Fireplace Tile Surround
• Osborne Wood Products: Wood Types

Resources

• Fireplace Decorating Tips, Inserts & More
• Fireplaces Magazine: Fireplace Décor Guide