Previously, fireplaces were used mainly for practical purposes. With their help, they maintained a comfortable temperature in wooden and stone houses, dried wet clothes and heated water for domestic needs. With the advent of technology, a lot has changed. Now the fireplace has become primarily an attribute of style, a bright touch in the interior of the living room. It creates an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, being a unique symbol of the family hearth.
Today, fireplaces can be found not only in country houses and dachas. Safe electric fireplaces are often installed in apartments designed in different styles. And to make the space sparkle with colors, the fireplace is decorated with a variety of decorative elements.
In this material you will learn how to beautifully decorate a fireplace in a house or apartment. We will share with you the designers’ ideas and show you photographs with design examples. You'll be surprised how a few simple solutions can transform a space!
Bringing luxury to the interior
A fireplace has the ability to unite the whole family in one room. At any time of the year, soft light from fire or candles will add nobility and grace to the interior.
There are many decorative elements that will make the fireplace sparkle with new colors, decorate the house with its sophistication and relaxing effect. Since now the fireplace has no direct purpose for heating the home, owners of the hearth have a place to roam and create fireplace decor with their own hands.
Ways to create fire
It is believed that false fireplaces cannot perform the main function of a real stove. Since they are only decoration, they cannot be melted. In fact, this opinion is not entirely correct. True, it all depends on the materials and design of the shell.
The problem is not that you can't start a fire in a cardboard or wooden dummy. Even if you assemble a metal body, operating the fireplace is still impossible without installing a chimney. And with it we are already talking about a full-fledged stove, which is equipped only in a private house.
Imitation fireplace made of brick Source dekoriko.ru
But the fact is that even in country mansions, real fireplaces are increasingly being replaced with fake decorations. This is due to the fact that the room does not require additional heating, since modern heating boilers cope with their tasks perfectly.
Therefore, the fireplace has only one important function - demonstrating a live fire. And a decorative fireplace can cope with this. True, you can’t light a full-fledged fire in it, but that’s what’s required. Sometimes it’s enough just to light a candle in a niche.
It is better to install several pieces in the alcove, and they will significantly enhance the visual effect. But if you place candles between beautifully laid logs, you can create a complete imitation of a burning fireplace. The fire will appear to be coming straight from the wood.
And if you decorate the back wall of the fake firebox with mirrors, the illusion will intensify several times. You just need to make sure that the flame does not come into contact with the wood under any circumstances. Otherwise, it's not far from a fire. Therefore, it is recommended to treat logs with an anti-inflammatory compound.
A completely safe method involves purchasing an electronic photo frame of a suitable size. Many models support animated GIF files, so the imitation of live fire will be almost natural. A Chinese device with a diagonal of 17 inches will not hit the family budget. And since the frame is installed in the depths of the niche, the image of fire is quite misleading to an ignorant person.
Image of fire in a false fireplace Source kampecher.ru
But there is a method that is both 100% safe and ensures that the fire is completely natural. The method is expensive because high-tech equipment is used. It does not create an illusion, but runs on biofuel, which is converted into a real flame.
Frontal biofireplace in the interior Source bioplamya.ru
The device burns bioethanol vapors, which are harmless to others and do not emit unpleasant odors. The biofireplace is equipped with automation, and it completely controls the process. Sensors ensure complete safety. Deviation from operating parameters immediately leads to an emergency stop of the device and extinguishing the flame.
Bio-fireplace built into the wall Source dizainexpert.ru
The module with a fuel tank and its own combustion chamber is placed in a false fireplace. Directly into the hearth itself, albeit decorative. Therefore, the fake fireplace turns into a real one. It even gives off heat that can warm your hands.
By choosing an option according to your financial situation, you can enjoy a real live fire or its imitation.
Automatic bio-fireplace in the interior Source bioplamya.ru
Variety of fireplaces
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are widespread throughout the world. Specialists are involved in construction, because the chimney device is directly responsible for removing soot from the home.
In addition to wood-burning fireplaces, there are electric and gas fireplaces, and there is also a category of bio-fireplaces. The gas option will also require a chimney. An electric fireplace is convenient and practical in urban environments; it operates from the mains.
A biofireplace is a device that runs on bioethanol or alcohol fuel. Electric and biomodels are suitable for owners of city apartments, where placement of a traditional combustion source is not allowed.
What does using a protective screen provide?
In the fireplace business there is the concept of a firebox. Essentially, this is a place in front of the firebox where you cannot stay for a long time for safety reasons. If the construction is planned correctly, this area must be covered with copper sheeting and a fireplace screen must be installed. There are more than enough reasons to use additional fireplace protection:
- The shielding plane protects those who like to warm themselves by an open fire from embers accidentally flying out of the fireplace, especially if impatient owners have flooded it with birch or aspen firewood, just brought in from the frost;
- The screen protects the flood area, and thereby reduces the risk of injury and burns to children and pets when they come into contact with coals and hot cast iron parts of the fireplace;
- Any option for fireplace screen protection very well transmits and dissipates into the atmosphere of the room the heat emitted by the mirror and the flame of the hearth.
For your information!
The higher the temperature of the cast iron fireplace mirror, the harsher the heat flow. You can sit for 10-15 minutes by a hot fireplace and get burns on your hands and face, as if you were in the sun for a long time. Installing a shielding structure allows you to absorb most of the hard infrared radiation from the fireplace and turn it into soft heat.
Of course, the screen also heats up, so if you place it too close to the fire, you can heat it up to the level of a fireplace grate in 15-20 minutes. A hundred years ago, most fireplace owners did just that. Outer clothing, shoes, tobacco were dried on the screen's hot grate, food was heated, without the risk of burning or ruining anything. In addition, the fireplace was often used for cooking, so there was no longer enough space for a drying rack.
Home installation
The versatility of fireplaces lies in the possibility of their installation. The fireplace can be wall-mounted or built-in, corner or island. The choice depends on the size of the home, and any shape can be given; fireplaces can be square or cylindrical, round or polygonal in shape.
“Stove craftsmen” are still in demand, and prices for fireplace decor, although they vary depending on the complexity of the design, are quite acceptable for a fireplace that will last for many years.
How to make a drawing and choose the right parameters
Simple design drawing
The drawing makes it easier to cut materials and helps to keep the dimensions correctly. It is best to find a ready-made drawing on the Internet and, after making your measurements, adjust it as required.
- First of all, decide on the location of the stove
- Select material for production
- Confirm the size of the portal and niche for the firebox
- Draw a detailed diagram, all figured components are transferred to paper in expanded form
- Don’t forget that for a bio-fireplace you need to leave space inside the niche for the fuel tank, and for an electric fireplace or 3D frame, provide an outlet
If you plan to purchase a bio or electric fireplace, the portal parameters are adjusted to the device.
Fireplace cladding
The fireplace as the core of the interior can be modified with the help of decor. The design of the fireplace area is selected to match the overall style of home decoration. In the classical sense, a fireplace is a masonry device with cast iron rods near the firebox.
The decor of the decorative fireplace is made using natural stone, gypsum bas-relief, brick-shaped tiles, giving an aging effect. Natural stone can be taken in an uneven shape to give it a certain “brutality”, a reference to the cave style.
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The classic U-shaped fireplace can be made of wood. In addition to the classics, this piece of furniture fits perfectly into the decoration of a chalet or hunting-style home, as well as rococo (using mosaics and elegant painting) and high-tech, whose strict forms are emphasized by metal and glass materials.
Options for facing materials
The cladding of the fireplace can be anything - it all depends on the design idea. Since the standard design consists of a hearth and a portal, both elements are designed separately. The false fireplace and electric fireplace consist of one portal and do not have a hearth. When choosing finishing materials, it is important to consider where the hearth is located - at home or on the street, and for what interior it is designed.
The most important factors are:
- combustion material - when they are going to burn with wood, the lining must withstand temperatures up to 900 degrees, but for oak wood it is required that it can easily withstand 1000 degrees, for other solid fuels - 1200;
- location - if the installation location is a summer veranda or garden, frost-resistant cladding is needed; for a structure placed in a house and having a purely decorative purpose, any materials are suitable;
- moisture resistance - when the room is not heated, non-moisture resistant materials quickly crack and peel off;
- weight - for a heavy structure on the first floor of a private house, an additional foundation is required; the second and higher floors simply will not support a heavy fireplace.
How fireplaces are decorated:
- stone;
- brick;
- Himalayan salt;
- drywall;
- tiles;
- tiles;
- glass;
- colored plaster;
- tree;
- stucco;
- paint;
- foam blocks;
- forged parts;
- fiber cement panels;
- sheet iron.
Not all types of finishes are suitable for a working fireplace, not a fake one, so when purchasing a particular material, you should read the instructions.
Stone
It is considered the best solution for any style, all types of premises, garden design. This finish not only looks good, but will also be as durable as possible. High temperature and humidity are not a problem for it, but the weight of the fireplace is quite large. A large structure requires the manufacture of a separate foundation, which is made at least ten centimeters larger than the base.
The following types of stone are commonly used:
- marble;
- travertine;
- onyx;
- malachite;
- granite
- coil;
- sandstone;
- Soapstone chlorite
Artificial stone weighs significantly less, looks like natural stone, and is most often made from gypsum in combination with stone chips and pigments. It is easy to process and cuts well. Laying begins from the bottom corner after leveling the surface. But most types of fake stone are not able to withstand high temperatures or high humidity - its suitability for certain works should be clarified when purchasing.
Tree
It is used to decorate electric and false fireplaces, as it can easily catch fire. It is also not suitable for rooms with high humidity - it cracks and becomes deformed. Caring for wooden surfaces is necessary on a regular basis, otherwise they will quickly lose their normal appearance. The material is impregnated with special compounds that prevent molding, damage by insects and rodents, and is covered with stain and varnish.
The most popular types of wood are:
- oak, beech;
- nut;
- cherry;
- mahogany;
- rosewood;
- pine, spruce;
- Karelian birch;
- maple.
Such a hearth has a beautiful texture, becoming a unique piece of furniture, and is decorated with carvings, voluminous turned elements, and inlay.
Tile
Ceramic tiles are used quite often for finishing - the variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns allows them to decorate designs of most currently known styles. Before installation, the surface is carefully leveled, and the solution is made as uniform as possible - if a pebble or debris gets under one of the tiles, it will lie unevenly, which will significantly spoil the appearance. Next, the surface to be treated is marked. Parts require high-quality fitting, and different types of tiles are fixed using solutions of different compositions. For some types of interior, rectangular tiles imitating red, white or multi-colored brick are suitable.
Tiles
The most luxurious interiors are decorated with tiles. Once upon a time, palaces, temples, and houses of wealthy residents of large cities were decorated this way. The material contains terracotta clay, which is suitable for all types of fireplaces, but real ones must have a cast iron firebox. The elements are produced glazed, shiny, as if made of glass and without glaze - reminiscent of simple pottery. In terms of stylistic design, tiles can be vintage, modern, classic, etc., they are highly decorative and have sufficient durability.
Plaster
Decorative plaster is easy to apply independently, but in order for the structure to look neat, it requires preliminary leveling of the surface and coating with primer. Often several types of plasters of different colors are used, and the strokes are done chaotically. The material does not withstand excessively high temperatures, therefore it is used for false fireplaces or those that are heated only occasionally with non-solid materials.
Stucco molding
Stucco molding is made from gypsum or polystyrene foam. The latter option is only suitable for electric fireplaces or their imitation. Columns, half-columns, rosettes, niches, pilasters, corners, openwork details, etc. are made. Sometimes entire stucco bas-reliefs are made, depicting various scenes, which are later painted with special paints or left white.
Steel and forging
Cast iron and steel elements and accessories are suitable for all types of structures. Doors, grates, and the entire fireplace are made of metal - it is not afraid of high temperatures, and the anti-corrosion coating will protect against high humidity. Real fireplaces with a “live” fire are also equipped with a forged poker, tongs, a scoop, and a stand for firewood. Patterns or entire plots on doors and screens are made using plasma cutting or are also hand-forged by a craftsman to order.
Most often on the doors they depict:
- contours of animals, birds, fish;
- silhouettes of people;
- geometric figures;
- plots from literary works;
- urban, rural landscapes;
- musical instruments, notes.
One of the disadvantages of such finishing is the high cost, since almost all the decor is done manually or using an expensive machine with a laser.
Fireproof coating
A fireplace decorated with glass elements will fit perfectly into any modern interior. The glass used is fireproof - withstands up to 1000 degrees, coated with a special composition that prevents the appearance of soot. It reflects part of the thermal radiation into the structure, is produced smooth, convex, and may have patterns. Such a fireplace warms up the room slowly, but you can look at the fire up close without fear that a spark will fall on clothes, furniture, or carpet. Heat-resistant paints are also used here. They have an organosilicon base and, after application, form a protective film on the surface that can withstand temperatures up to 650 degrees. Before painting, the surface to be treated is leveled and cleaned of grease and old plaster. Afterwards painting is done with a brush, spray cans, and hand painting.
Elements for decorating a mantelpiece
It is easy to smooth out the excessive severity and stiffness of the fireplace not only by understanding how to decorate the fireplace, but also by decorating the shelf. It’s easy to decorate a family hearth with little things like:
- framed photographs or paintings;
- candles in elegant candlesticks, scented candles and incense;
- interesting vases of various configurations;
- flower arrangements;
- seasonal decorations based on branches or vegetables;
- collections of figurines, mugs, figurines;
- stacks of books;
- mirrors of different shapes;
- travel souvenirs and globes.
Decorating the mantelpiece with LED lighting strips or additional lighting will also be an excellent option. Followers of minimalism prefer the absence of any elements on top of the fireplace. It has a distinctive style and elegance.
What else can you fill the firebox with?
But if you don’t want to constantly admire the dancing flames, then you can leave only decorative functions to the fireplace. Or use it for other practical purposes. At first glance, the fireplace has only two uses. In fact, everything is limited only by the riot of imagination.
False fireplace decorated with a mirror Source remont-samomy.ru
Here is a giant list of how you can use the firebox of a false fireplace:
- Lay out the wood as for a fire. You can add a little bit of everything to the logs.
- Figurative dry branches, candle lanterns and even indoor green plants.
- Lining the inside of a fake fireplace with ceramic tiles will increase its appeal. In addition, you don’t have to worry about ignition from a burning candle.
- But if the fear of fires remains, then burning candles can be placed in separate cases. Several lanterns of different sizes in the firebox will look very original.
- If you use low candles and place each one on its own small log, you can even create a festive atmosphere.
- During the Christmas season, it is good to complement the hearth with candles with fir branches.
- Using fireplace paraphernalia, you can further embellish the fake decor. For example, place dry ikebana in a poker bucket. Place a firewood stand inside the fireplace and place candles on it.
- If you rank items, you can get an original effect. In the hearth, candles are placed on stands, in glasses, or just like that.
- You can install a work of art in the fireplace portal - a small painting or figurine.
- A thematic poster surrounded by decorative bottles will look more than original.
- If the false fireplace turns out to be massive, then it can be used instead of a cabinet. In this case, a good solution would be to place a chest for things inside the portal.
- The bookshelves inside the fireplace look extraordinary.
- When the decoration is installed in the kitchen, it can perform practical functions. A rack is installed in the portal, and dishes or jars of spices are stored on its shelves.
- Children rarely have such decor. But if it is already there, then a dollhouse can fit inside. Or the hearth becomes a storage area for toys.
- It is symbolic to close the portal with a door. It will act as an entrance to the magical world.
- If there is a large toy animal, then the firebox can serve as a kennel.
- Both the mantelpiece and the shelving unit inside the hearth will help to display a collection of figurines or objects.
- A giant letter or a whole word will look quirky in the fireplace.
- A wicker basket works well for a rustic look. You can put anything inside. From chopped firewood to imitation of the harvest.
- The firebox filled to the top with pumpkins of various sizes looks extraordinary.
- A false fireplace in the kitchen will attract attention and fulfill a practical role if a hob with oven is installed in it.
- A large vase with dried or artificial flowers looks beautiful.
- Place a wine bar eccentrically in the firebox.
- The watering can for watering plants inside the fireplace looks unusual.
- Super original - hide the air conditioner in the fireplace niche.
And the classic option would be a hearth filled to the very top with firewood. The logs can even be painted. Moreover, you need to use colors that predominate in the interior of the room.
The fireplace area – merging with the interior
Space for creativity is provided not only by the fireplace itself, but also by the area near it. The transition of the wall from the hearth to the main walls can be implemented in a single style. For example, decorating the walls in the form of shelves for logs. For an aesthetic appearance, carefully processed logs of the same size are laid.
Mirror surfaces or areas with fascia are successfully combined with a fireplace. Mirrors frame and decorate this visual center of the room. Electric models are equipped with side vertical shelves on which figurines or framed photographs look beautiful.
Design
The variety of fireplace screens, depending on the design, is divided into several groups.
Built-in screens are an integral part of a fireplace or stove, being non-removable elements.
Built-in varieties with a collapsible screen allow you to remove the protection when it is no longer needed, leaving a decorative forged base.
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A composite screen does not have a single surface, since it consists of several local panels on reliable supports. They are placed in a semicircle, reliably protecting the surrounding area from sparks and possible fallout of hot coals.
According to the design solution, a combined fireplace screen can consist of one, two, three or more hinged sashes. It folds easily, taking up little storage space
New Year by the fireplace
Most often, a fireplace is associated with traditional winter celebrations of Christmas and New Year. Everyone has a desire to spend these days in a special way and decorate their home.
Fireplace decor for the New Year is done using garlands, spruce branches, toys, lush ribbons and candles. The area on top of the hearth will be beautifully decorated with Christmas wreaths.
Christmas fireplace decor would be incomplete without a fluffy decorated Christmas tree standing nearby.
Stationary design
Among the variety of screens for fireplaces, the most reliable are firmly fixed stationary types. They provide safety to children because they are not able to fall when pushed during play. To make them yourself, you will need a brick, a fireplace grate, heat-resistant glass, and a metal corner.
Stationary fireplace screen in the form of doors
During the work process, the area that is supposed to be fenced with a screen is marked. The combustible floor covering is removed and a layer of brick is laid out, held together with cement mortar. Such a base will look aesthetically pleasing and will serve as a reliable barrier against random sparks.
In accordance with the previously developed scheme, brick pedestals for supports are installed. Their height should reach the middle horizontal line of the firebox.
In the process of laying them out in these cabinets, the load-bearing corners are fixed. After the supports have completely dried, decorative parts are attached to them, which can be stylized as antique. Lastly, the screen structure is covered with heat-resistant glass using polymer heat-resistant liners.
When developing a stationary structure that performs a protective function for a furnace, one should not forget about its main heating function. Despite the fact that the walls of the fence are made solid, it is necessary to leave a gap of at least ten centimeters at the top and bottom for free air circulation. Such a solution will reliably close the walls of the room from excessive heat and create conditions for effective heating.
False fireplace as an interior tool
An imitation fireplace is a composition made from a frame, inside of which there is no fire, but you can place decorative candles, figurines or frames. The decor of a false fireplace allows you to create an aura of serenity even in a small city apartment. The back wall of the fireplace can be made mirrored or lined with decorative tiles.
An imitation fireplace is used for photo sessions, for example, in thematic areas of photo studios. Parents often create false fireplaces with their own hands to equip a group in kindergarten: children also love to take pictures in front of such a cozy “stove.”
Advantages of a decorative hearth
A false fireplace is sometimes distinguished from a real one only by the absence of a chimney. Otherwise, the design repeats all the external features of a fireplace for firewood. The body contains a firebox, and the portal itself is covered with a natural mantelpiece. The dimensions of the fuel chamber vary significantly. Usually the decoration does not exceed 20 cm in depth. And additional volume is created with the help of mirrors glued inside.
Creating volume using a mirror in a fake fireplace insert Source rerooms.ru
The imitation was invented for city apartments, in which the installation of a real fireplace is prohibited due to the difficulty of ensuring safety. Mainly due to the fact that it is impossible to install a proper chimney. Well, maybe on the very top floors. But there, as elsewhere, it is prohibited by law to light an open fire.
Since the need for additional heating of the room, as a rule, disappears, it became possible to use only aesthetic components. Such decor can decorate a room decorated in any style. By purchasing a decorative fireplace in your area, the living room benefits significantly in many respects.
Fake fireplace with the illusion of fire Source yandex.ru
The advantages of a fake hearth include the following:
- The construction of the decoration does not require significant expenses. Except for the moments when it is necessary to create a copy of a luxurious design for an elite design style.
- For the rest, you can even get by with used materials. For example, partitions from an old sideboard. Or even cardboard packages from purchased equipment.
- Wide selection of decorative elements. Because, in addition to store-bought parts, there is the possibility of making them yourself. It is enough to use your imagination and use available materials.
- Imitation allows you to hide utility lines. Such as various wires and unsightly elements of the heating system.
- Design functionality. If desired, the decoration can be used for purposes other than its intended purpose. Organize a bookcase or storage for unnecessary things in the portal.
- With the installation of decorations, the interior acquires a share of originality and additional pieces of home comfort.
To implement the last point, a reliable illusion of living fire is created in the hearth of a decorative fireplace. After all, it is the opportunity to admire open flames that adds comfort to the room. There are several methods for convincing imitation, which will be discussed in detail below.
Interior fireplaces with imitation flame Source evrookna-mos.ru
