Fireplace Design Ideas
It's not every day that you have the opportunity to design your own fireplace. You might be designing a new home. Maybe you're in the planning stages of a big remodeling project - so why not design a new fireplace while you have everything torn up anyway? If you have the chance, why not go ahead and do it? It's hard work, but there is a lot of fun to be had in the process.
There are some obvious considerations which should go into your fireplace design ideas. First will be your hearth. If you want a raised hearth, then you'll have a platform to work from when you are preparing your fire. Think about how high you want the hearth and firebox raised above floor level. If its floor level, you'll have to watch out for embers on the carpet! This is an aesthetic decision as well – raising the fire makes it more prominent.
The orientation and depth of the firebox is something which is often neglected. A larger firebox will give you the space to build larger fires. You might not want a full on bonfire in your fireplace, but the extra space lets your fire breathe and gives you room to work when you need to add wood or work with a poker. A smaller firebox has a more elegant look and works better for a gas fireplace; a smaller firebox pushes the heat out front.
As far as the look and style of your fireplace goes, the materials used are the most important element of your fireplace design. The default choice for many will be a red brick with white mortar facing; this is a classic look which is instantly identifiable. Brick is highly heat resistant and holds up well. You can vary the materials somewhat and still have a great fireplace though – you can get the same kind of brick in different colors; for instance, an all white fireplace can be lovely.
Other than this basic component, you'll need to decide on the mantle and surrounds. You can paint your fireplace or install mounts for many different types of decorating schemes to make your fireplace something truly unique. So have fun with it and don't be afraid to try new things. If you get creative with your fireplace design ideas, you'll have the reward of a personalized fireplace for years to come.