Fireplace Design

If you are searching for fireplace design ideas, you should become acquainted with the three basic components that are included in every successful design idea.

These components are the firebox, hearth, and fireplace opening. Respectively, these are the space where the fire is lit and tended, the area that exists outside of the fire, and the passage between these two areas.

All of these different areas have their own style potential to offer.

The Firebox:

The firebox is where the magic happens. This is where you will be looking when you have a fire lit on a cold night or a romantic evening. The firebox design is based mostly on the height of the floor or hearth. If the hearth is elevated, then the firebox is as well.

This is known as a raised firebox. Should the hearth be at floor level, then the firebox will also be at floor level.

This is known as a flush hearth. Occasionally a firebox will be flush while the hearth is raised. This is known as a dropped firebox.

The Hearth:

The hearth is where you may think that there is the most design potential, but that actually is found in the fireplace opening. The hearth may be at floor level or above, and is the most visible component of the three.

Hearths can be composed of a variety of materials, including creative stone and tile mosaics. Some fireboxes are elevated and the hearth is eliminated entirely, allowing the elevated firebox to keep the heat of the fire off of the floor. Some hearths will also offer seating.

These seats are more traditionally blocks that are situated at either side of the fireplace opening. The shape of the hearth may be dictated by the type of fireplace opening used.

The Fireplace Opening:

The fireplace opening is most recognized as a rectangular structure. Usually they are found to be a rectangular opening, but the sides do flare toward the opening at the hearth.

There are openings with straight sides and arched tops, full arches, and even corner fireplaces available today.

The corner fireplaces are not designed to hide a fireplace in a corner; rather, it is designed to allow access to two sides of the fire by opening an entire corner of the firebox.

For those that wish to expose three sides of the fire box, the best option is a U-shaped opening. The more open designs offer more radiant heat.

With these key components in mind, you are well on your way to planning your ideal fireplace. After consultation with a fireplace design specialist, you can decide if your preferred design is feasible for the space that you have available and move forward to a project quotation.

If you want to know how to paint a stone fireplace, there are many ways to learn. First you can look up videos on YouTube, or buy a book at your home improvement store. Painting a stone or brick fireplace can take a drab, outdated fireplace and turn it into a refreshing, and colorful addition to your room design. This is a quick and easy weekend project if you plan it correctly and have all of your materials ready.