If you want to give your living room a much-needed sprucing up this year, why not upgrade your fireplace? Every home’s fireplace is the focal point of the living room—it’s the area where everyone can gather together to have coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and it’s so much prettier than a TV screen or a simple console table. Even if you live in a tropical area, you cannot deny the elegance that a gorgeous fireplace can bring to a Great Room.
There is no denying that the fireplace is the heart of every living room. Here are some tips and ideas for designing your fireplace in a modern and elegant way.
Keep the room’s design in mind
If the fireplace is to be the focal point of the living room, then it needs to be in line with the room’s overall theme, style, or concept. While we do want the fireplace to stand out, we don’t want it to stand out in a bad way, which means avoiding a mistake like choosing a completely different style from the rest of the room. Make sure to go for a style that works well with the floor and the walls.
For example, if you opt for an elegant farmhouse style that’s all the rage these days, make sure the materials and colors you use don’t clash with the already existing design elements. If your home is an open space concept, consider matching your kitchen island with your fireplace. Then seal your floors with epoxy so that you can be sure that all the foundations and built-in pieces are as durable and long-lasting as they can be.
Don’t neglect the lighting
Your room’s lighting can make or break the look of your fireplace and everything else you have going on in the room. If you want your fireplace to look incredible, here are some lighting tips you need to remember:
- Mood lighting looks best in a home with a fireplace because it adds an even cozier and more intimate atmosphere. Incorporate some dimmers and find ones that allow you the option of choosing the tone. Remember the rule of thumb: Warmer lighting is for relaxation, while cooler lighting is for work and productivity.
- Consider decorating the mantel or the shelves with lanterns or candles so that you have an option to light them when you’re on date night with your partner.
- Sconces are the most common lights added on top of a fireplace, and with good reason—they are symmetrical, making them the ideal type of lighting to flank an artwork or a fireplace.
Get creative with the mantelpiece
Consider ditching the TV screen for something else that will allow you to showcase your unique style and personality as a homeowner. And besides, if you want your family members and future guests to truly connect and have meaningful conversations, a screen will not be the most helpful choice for that endeavor.
Here are some pointers for designing your mantelpiece, especially if you’re not the most confident in your choices:
- When designing the smaller parts of your space, remember to follow even the most basic interior design rules: Balance, rhythm, harmony, emphasis, and scale and proportion.
- It’s all about creating a vignette that will catch the eye in the best way possible. Make sure it is cohesive by only choosing smaller items and design elements that have a similarity, whether it’s in the color, pattern, material, or overall vibe.
- If you’re considering hanging a piece of artwork, then keep the mantelpiece minimal. Add a potted plant and some books, and maybe a scented candle. The last thing you want is for your guests to not know where to look when taking a gander at your fireplace area.
- Go for a natural or sustainable theme, especially if your home is already making use of plenty of natural light and greenery.
- Don’t forget to keep things balanced, especially if you’re adding plenty of frames of different shapes and sizes. Your picture frames need to be able to build a shape—you can’t just throw some things against the wall and hope something sticks. Be intentional about the way you choose frames, the colors of your pictures, and how you position them on the mantelpiece.
When it comes to creating a cozy and relaxing living room, we cannot underestimate just how a fireplace can help you achieve that goal. Keep everything cohesive, look at the styling from every angle and distance, and be intentional in your design and styling choices. Good luck, and keep the fire burning!
