Improving the look of your fireplace area can improve the overall aesthetic of your living room – or any room you have your fire in. This goes for a traditional open fire, an Ecodesign wood-burning stove, gas or electric fire. All of which can be a stunning focal point in a room.
Whether the style in your home is rustic, modern, or traditional, there are many ways to enhance its appearance. Here are some ideas to help make your fireplace beautiful:
Clean and refresh your fireplace
To improve the looks of your fireplace, there are some very simple things you can do:
Deep Cleaning: Remove soot, ash, and grime from the interior and exterior. Use a fireplace-specific cleaner to restore its original look.
Repaint the Firebox: If the inside looks worn, a coat of high-temperature paint can refresh it.
Polish Metal Accents: Clean metal grates, screens, or tools to restore their shine. Below is a 4D Ecoflame fire. Over time, metal will lose its shine. A quick clean with a metal cleaner can transform it, and on a fire like this, where metal is a key design feature, polishing can really make it stand out.
Improve the surround
Stone or Brick Veneer: Add a stone or brick veneer to give your fireplace a luxurious, textured look.
Tile Surround: Use patterned or textured tiles for a modern or artistic touch. Subway tiles or geometric designs work well for contemporary spaces.
Wood Trim or Mantel: Install a new wood mantel or trim to frame the fireplace beautifully. Opt for natural wood for a rustic look or painted wood for a clean, modern style.
Limestone: While this is certainly not a cheap option, a limestone surround can transform the look of any fireplace area. Every limestone fireplace has its own natural beauty and distinctive look. The veins, markings, and colour shade will constantly vary, meaning you will have a totally unique surround should you opt for limestone.
Incorporate Lighting
Overhead Lighting: Install recessed lights or a spotlight above the fireplace to highlight its features.
Mantel Lighting: Use LED strip lights or small lamps on the mantel for a warm, inviting glow.
Fireplace Candle Display: Arrange pillar candles or string lights inside the firebox when the fireplace is not in use.
Many of the fires in our electric range have various lighting options, where you can select different colours for the fuel bed, flame and surround. Our Luminosa fire (below), for example, has real-flame technology, 16 flame colours, 9 log lights and 10 fuel bed options. You can learn more about Luminosa here.
Seasonal and Rotating Decor
You can change the look of your fireplace throughout the year:
Winter: Add cosy elements like garlands, stockings, or faux snow displays.
Spring: Use fresh flowers or pastel decor.
Summer: Create a minimalist setup with beach-inspired elements like driftwood or seashells.
Autumn: Incorporate pumpkins, fall leaves, and warm tones.
Switching with the seasons is perfect if you don’t mind spending time every few months to get the right look.
Add Artistic Elements
Mirror Above the Fireplace: A large mirror can make the space feel bigger and reflect light beautifully.
Artwork or TV Placement: Hang a statement piece of art or mount a flat-screen TV above the fireplace for a functional and stylish focal point. Below is an example of this – an iRange 1500 Deep, an electric fire with a TV screen above it. This fire can be fitted in one, two, or three-sided configurations, and when you add the optional LED mood lighting, the potential customisation options are endless.
Experiment with Colour
Paint the Surround: Use bold or neutral paint to match your room’s colour scheme.
Two-Tone Design: Try contrasting colours for the surround and mantel to make the fireplace stand out.
Upgrading your fireplace can transform it into a stunning focal point that enhances the ambience of your home.
Whether you choose a simple refresh or a full-scale makeover, the key is to have a design that fits your personal style and, of course, the overall theme of your living space.
