Decorating
Decorating: 10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Fireplace
Be it a new mirror, a bold colour or a quirky mantelpiece display, warm to your fireplace with these foolproof fixes
Nine times out of 10, if you’ve bought a period property, one or more of your rooms will feature some sort of fireplace with a stone, wood or metal surround, while newer homes may have something altogether more minimal. Love them or loathe them – and that usually depends on what sort you inherit – fireplaces do create a focal point in any space, from living rooms to bedrooms, and make for an obvious style influencer when redesigning or decorating a room.
You don’t really want to rip out such an original feature, but equally don’t feel stuck with what’s there if your hearth simply doesn’t do it for you: some new tiles, a quick lick of paint or even a wood-burning stove can help you see your fireplace in a whole new light. Even something as simple as rearranging your mantelpiece display can be visually transformative. The same goes for modern spaces and featureless fireplaces – if you’ve inherited a look too austere for your tastes, warm things up with a blast of colour or a gleaming mosaic. Now doesn’t that look better…
You don’t really want to rip out such an original feature, but equally don’t feel stuck with what’s there if your hearth simply doesn’t do it for you: some new tiles, a quick lick of paint or even a wood-burning stove can help you see your fireplace in a whole new light. Even something as simple as rearranging your mantelpiece display can be visually transformative. The same goes for modern spaces and featureless fireplaces – if you’ve inherited a look too austere for your tastes, warm things up with a blast of colour or a gleaming mosaic. Now doesn’t that look better…
Offset with a moody hue
This is a straightforward technique to update a marble fireplace that’s looking slightly out of sorts. Simply paint the walls in a matt charcoal shade and let the delicate veining and luminosity of the surround create a really striking highlight you won’t want to change.
Dress the mantel with clusters of interesting vessels and vases and add vibrant furniture that will really stand out against the monochrome backdrop.
Discover how to wow with dark colours
This is a straightforward technique to update a marble fireplace that’s looking slightly out of sorts. Simply paint the walls in a matt charcoal shade and let the delicate veining and luminosity of the surround create a really striking highlight you won’t want to change.
Dress the mantel with clusters of interesting vessels and vases and add vibrant furniture that will really stand out against the monochrome backdrop.
Discover how to wow with dark colours
Display your wares
Even in a child’s bedroom, don’t waste the opportunity to liven up a mantelpiece with an array of homespun treasures. Think beyond candlesticks and photo frames (although these will always be decorating classics) and try lining up old bottles or colourful vintage glass vessels and adding a seasonal bloom or two in each. Pair with a bright print and a few much-loved toys and your display is complete.
Even in a child’s bedroom, don’t waste the opportunity to liven up a mantelpiece with an array of homespun treasures. Think beyond candlesticks and photo frames (although these will always be decorating classics) and try lining up old bottles or colourful vintage glass vessels and adding a seasonal bloom or two in each. Pair with a bright print and a few much-loved toys and your display is complete.
Block it out
Some of us might have a love/hate relationship with our Victorian fireplace: we’re not sure about the curved wooden mantelpiece, but equally don’t want to rip out such an original feature.
One solution is to paint it in the exact same colour as the walls, so the feature melds invisibly into the architecture. This rich cobalt blue packs a punch on the walls, but also painting the fireplace surround, colour-block style, has elevated the look to another level of sophistication altogether.
Some of us might have a love/hate relationship with our Victorian fireplace: we’re not sure about the curved wooden mantelpiece, but equally don’t want to rip out such an original feature.
One solution is to paint it in the exact same colour as the walls, so the feature melds invisibly into the architecture. This rich cobalt blue packs a punch on the walls, but also painting the fireplace surround, colour-block style, has elevated the look to another level of sophistication altogether.
Stick to classics
Some decorating tricks just work, however many times they’ve been done and in whichever room you do them. Hanging a large, gilt mirror above a fireplace, for example, won’t hit the decorating headlines any time soon, but the ornate frame and perfectly matched, oversized dimensions will instantly create a star feature wall (the unofficial ‘rule’ for fireplace mirrors is that they should not overshoot the mantelpiece). Paint the same wall in a moody hue and the whole look will fuse together beautifully.
Some decorating tricks just work, however many times they’ve been done and in whichever room you do them. Hanging a large, gilt mirror above a fireplace, for example, won’t hit the decorating headlines any time soon, but the ornate frame and perfectly matched, oversized dimensions will instantly create a star feature wall (the unofficial ‘rule’ for fireplace mirrors is that they should not overshoot the mantelpiece). Paint the same wall in a moody hue and the whole look will fuse together beautifully.
Give tiles a twist
An incredibly easy way to breathe new life into a fireplace is to replace a tiled surround. You may have inherited a fireplace decorated in florals or busy patterned tiles that don’t suit your style. These plain white tiles laid in an interesting herringbone pattern are offset with a dark grout for maximum definition for a result that is fresh, interesting and cost-effective, too.
An incredibly easy way to breathe new life into a fireplace is to replace a tiled surround. You may have inherited a fireplace decorated in florals or busy patterned tiles that don’t suit your style. These plain white tiles laid in an interesting herringbone pattern are offset with a dark grout for maximum definition for a result that is fresh, interesting and cost-effective, too.
Fit a wood-burning stove
If you don’t want the hassle and mess of an open fire, why not install a log burner for a more heat-efficient and arguably cleaner alternative, but still with the comforting glow of real flames? (Check your local authority’s regulations on burning wood.)
This pale enamelled burner doesn’t fight visually with the white fireplace, and also fits in beautifully with the painted furniture, pastel shades and old-fashioned prettiness, including the giant metal clock.
Find more inspiration for larger-than-life clocks
If you don’t want the hassle and mess of an open fire, why not install a log burner for a more heat-efficient and arguably cleaner alternative, but still with the comforting glow of real flames? (Check your local authority’s regulations on burning wood.)
This pale enamelled burner doesn’t fight visually with the white fireplace, and also fits in beautifully with the painted furniture, pastel shades and old-fashioned prettiness, including the giant metal clock.
Find more inspiration for larger-than-life clocks
Embrace a raw look
I really don’t think there’s any need to change, alter, upcycle or renew any part of this ancient, crumbling fireplace – because the real beauty of it lies in its raw, unadorned state. The patterned paper adds a warm slant, admittedly, but there are some things best left untouched.
I really don’t think there’s any need to change, alter, upcycle or renew any part of this ancient, crumbling fireplace – because the real beauty of it lies in its raw, unadorned state. The patterned paper adds a warm slant, admittedly, but there are some things best left untouched.
Inject a quirky touch
For a more grown-up alternative, try grouping unusual pieces found in car-boot sales or second-hand shops. Stick to a similar palette for most of the display (but mix up texture and shape), then punctuate with one fabulously bold piece to draw the eye in. This shot of hot pink takes centre stage in every sense of the word.
For a more grown-up alternative, try grouping unusual pieces found in car-boot sales or second-hand shops. Stick to a similar palette for most of the display (but mix up texture and shape), then punctuate with one fabulously bold piece to draw the eye in. This shot of hot pink takes centre stage in every sense of the word.
Glitz it up
You might be tempted to leave a modern slab fireplace as plain and simple as possible and keep the fuss-free silhouette intact. But don’t be afraid to add a smattering of glitz to even to the most minimal of spaces. These thin, iridescent tiles are a subtle colour, but still manage to lift the pared-back, monotone hues with a cheeky glint of glamour.
TELL US…
Have you worked wonders with a lacklustre fireplace? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
You might be tempted to leave a modern slab fireplace as plain and simple as possible and keep the fuss-free silhouette intact. But don’t be afraid to add a smattering of glitz to even to the most minimal of spaces. These thin, iridescent tiles are a subtle colour, but still manage to lift the pared-back, monotone hues with a cheeky glint of glamour.
TELL US…
Have you worked wonders with a lacklustre fireplace? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
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