Fireplaces have their own place in every household. A rustic, country home is incomplete without a wrought iron fireplace in the background. Even modern contemporary homes have their own chic electric ones. Although, fireplaces are a great utility during cold season, they are mostly used to add to the décor of the home. If you do not already have one and are planning to get one installed you sure would have thought about some design ideas. On the other hand, if you already have an old fireplace, which has become an eyesore now, you can always revamp its look.
Fireplace Design Ideas
Brick Fireplaces
They are the simplest of all and do not offer much in terms of aesthetics. However, if you are determined to render a new look to your fireplace, then there are certainly some ways in which you can revamp your old brick fireplace. A cobblestone facing is the quickest way to give a unique look to it. Cobblestone with bold designs adds a lot to the old fireplace. If you make gorgeous arches in cobblestone you can create an illusion of a country home with its rustic fireplace. Nickel finish facing is another addition that can be made to an old brick fireplace.
Wood Burning Fireplaces
They announce their presence before you can see them. A typical woody smell lingers in the entire house if you have a wood burning fireplace. There are some folks who install wood burning fireplaces for this sole purpose. The inserts add a lot to the visual appearance of wood burning fireplaces. Other enhancements to this type of fireplace come in the form of special units, which can be used to increase the heat. Some of these units even come in 24 k gold. Wood burning fireplaces are very much sought after due to their authenticity.
Gas Fireplaces
They offer a very neat and clean option. They do not give out smoke unlike wood burning fireplaces, nor you have to deal with ashes and other residue. The gas line usually comes directly from the public utility line. However, if you do not have such an option then you need to build a gas tank in the exterior of your house. The design of gas fireplace would very much depend upon the concealed construction of the fireplace. To give a more traditional look, you can add fire rocks in place of logs in the fireplace.
Modern Design Ideas
Modern fireplaces include a lot of design and construction work so as to make it compatible with your locality codes for fireplace safety. Most modern fireplaces are seamless and fit directly into the wall. You can use faux wood inserts if you want to add some old world charm to your modern home. There are a lot of accessories which also serve a great functionality apart from adding to the appearance of your fireplace. However, while designing modern fireplace always make sure it is in sync with the rest of your décor and that its appearance need not be changed in near future.
Outdoor Fireplace Designs
Outdoor fireplace is an excellent way of enjoying the pleasant chill in the air while chatting away with your friends. The only problem with outdoor fireplace designs is that you might have to take great pains to match it with the external environment in your home. Since, patio is often meant for BBQ sessions and cooking with friends, make sure your fireplace is equipped with this additional functionality. Portable fireplaces serve best for patios as they can be used as and when required and do not take too much of space.
A fireplace can serve as a sole focal point of any room, without trying real hard. Hence, implement those design ideas which do not scream the presence of your fireplace and make it stand out from the rest of the décor. A subdued fireplace blends really well with your décor, while still finding a niche for itself.
