When it comes to styling and designing our homes, the fireplace is one integral area that often gets overlooked. And the fact that these mantlepieces usually occupy a position of prominence in the living room should be more than enough to encourage people to style it for a better aesthetic.
Imagine having your fireplace carved in the manner of a dragon’s head. Intriguing, right? Plus, it would be an awesome conversation starter, too. However, there are only so many variations of a dragon’s head to use — and a lack of inventive ideas might be why most people don’t bother styling their fireplaces.
If you’re one of those people, then here are some ideas on how to take advantage of that prime piece of real estate, so you can give people something else to talk about when they enter your home.
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1. Change the Color
Let’s start with something simple. For starters, you could always decide to change the color of your fireplace. The traditional red brick color and design don’t always complement the rest of a home’s décor. In that sense, you can instead paint it over in a color that matches the rest of your home’s theme. If you have a non-working fireplace, you can go as far as stacking it up with logs and also painting those logs in the same color.
2. Cover it Up
Still, if you want to keep things simple, you can always add an element of intrigue and character to your fireplace, working or non-working, simply by covering it with a decorative screen. And, if you want to go one step further, you can go to town on the decorative covering by making an art statement out of it.
3. Decorate Your Mantel
With many households deciding to have a fireplace simply for aesthetic purposes, the mantel has become the focal point for fireplace styling. In fact, think of your mantel as an art exhibit stage that you can fill with bits and pieces of artistic items or statement pieces.
The choice is yours: Style your mantel with wall art prints, mirrors, layered artworks, and more. Of course, you can also add in simple items like lamps, flowers, and candles to give your fireplace a feel of homeliness, while still keeping it picture-worthy.
Or, you can choose to add sentimental items like a favorite book, an old keepsake, or a travel souvenir. All of these ideas can help bring life to your fireplace mantel and give your home some much-needed character.
4. Style the Surroundings
But don’t just stop and call it a day with the mantel and the fireplace itself. Your fireplace, operational or otherwise, is a prime hang-out spot in your living room and it should reflect that purpose. Put some wooden chairs or a rocker beside your fireplace to use as a spot to sit down and stretch your legs on a cold night. You can also add a small rug and cushions for a fireplace story with the family or a small sofa to cuddle with that special person.
5. Vary the Scale
One of the most important things about styling your fireplace is the scale of the items you add. Don’t be that boring person who puts everything on the same scale and size. Instead, for example, place a small porcelain bowl here and a large abstract piece of artwork there; a gigantic clamshell here and a small model boat there. Vary the scale of your designs to give your fireplace a more aesthetic appeal.
Make Your Fireplace Scream Excitement
In essence, your fireplace is a legitimate art exhibition stage/hang-out spot in your home — and there are so many ways you can turn it from just another run-of-the-mill hearth into a prominent feature of your home’s overall décor. By adding some intriguing new colors and picking out new art pieces, you’ll quickly make that fireplace roar.
