Fireplace Surrounds For Old And New Homes

Bring the focal point back to life

Sometimes, fireplace surrounds can be so outdated and ordinary that they really bring down the overall appeal of an entire room. Maybe you’ve just moved in to a new or established home and it seems nothing goes with the very thing that’s meant to be a focal point of the room: the fireplace. The color’s all wrong, the shape is uninspired, it’s dowdy; it’s practically an architectural failure. With so many choices in fireplace surrounds these days, there’s no excuse for an ugly eyesore.

Once you have your furniture, rugs and other elements in place, you get a good idea of the kind of design that would work. If your sofas, tables and entertainment units are cutting edge modern, then something contemporary and new would work perfectly. Stone, marble and wood are traditional materials for fireplace surrounds but they lend themselves beautifully to up-to-date applications. Even limestone, an ancient material in itself, can be used in a way that brings it into the new millennium. Inexpensive, easy-to-install models of an excellent standard are available and these make updating the hearth and mantel simple and low cost. At the other end of the spectrum, are fine, handcrafted examples of expert craftsmanship that hark back to the olden days when tradesmen took extreme pride in the quality of their work.

Rooms with a longer history and perhaps still in good, original condition will often have stunning, ornate mantels. But perhaps you like the design, but not the color. A fresh paint job will bring your mantel into line with the rest of your décor and restore its condition. The fireplace surrounds too will benefit from the same treatment but it’s important to use the appropriate product for the material you intend to paint. For instance, metal surrounds and wood mantels will require different paints so ask at your decorator store for advice.

If you intend to replace the fireplace surrounds and create a new one yourself out of wood, pine is a practical and cost-effective material to use. It looks good when stained or it can be painted to match the color scheme of the room. You can even buy pine accessories such as scrolls, pillars and ‘legs’ to incorporate into the design.

For many people, renovating fireplace surrounds is not on their hobby list. Or, the job they want done is beyond their skills and capabilities. By employing a company that specializes in these products, it’s possible to have everything custom made so that it suits your requirements perfectly. In some cases, the design of the fireplace comes before the shopping for furniture, rugs and drapes, and it truly is the focus of the room. Such services can be very expensive but a job well done reflects the individual character of the homeowner and his or her taste.

By far the easiest way to replace fireplace surrounds is to log on to one of the many websites offering pre-made units that are simply fixed to the front of the fireplace itself. They can be purchased online, delivered within days or weeks and hey presto, the flickering flames are framed by a brand new, totally complementary decorating accessory. You can spend less than a hundred dollars renovating fireplace surrounds or thousands on custom made ones that will be conversation pieces for decades to come. You can do the work yourself or commission someone to come in and make over your fireplace. One of the most enjoyable things is to sit in front of the fire on a chilly evening and be mesmerized by the dancing flames, so be sure it’s in a style you really love.