Fireplaces: Decorative or Merely Functional?

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Cultures and humans all over the world have used and loved fireplaces for many centuries. They have traditional uses especially back in the day when they have been literally used to cook food. They are mainly built to give warmth to people during the coldest winter day or night.

A fireplace can also be used as a gathering place for people or relatives who want to bond in the warmth of its glowing light.

So which among these reasons prodded you to research about fireplaces today?

Fireplaces of Antiquity

The ancient fire pit is believed to be the predecessor of modern fireplaces. It sits in the middle of ancient rooms and is used as a meeting place where people also gather to warm themselves. A hole up top provides the needed draft though which smoke escaped.

This ancient fireplace was used for thousands of years but when the two-story architecture became common, another design was needed to accommodate the change. The fireplace was then moved on the walls outside. It was a lot easier to put it there as well as the chimney right off the side of the housing structure.

Prince Rupert, in 1678, designed an improved grate where firewood is supposed to sit. The air could then easily get underneath the pile of fuel. In the 1700s, it was Benjamin Franklin’s turn to improve the fireplace. He called this the Franklin stove. The stove was moved to the center of the home in order to produce more heat. This was made of cast iron, therefore, it radiated heat even long after the fire’s put out.

In 1796, Count Rumsford came up with exciting new design. It was a shallow, tall firebox complete with streamlined throats for an improved way of drawing smoke out. The fireplace was then incorporated as a part of the walls of homes rather than something that’s built outside.

In the 1950s, ranch houses that have central heating turned the fireplace into a decorative part rather than a cooking or heating device.

In the ‘70s, prefabricated fireplaces were manufactured and homeowners rushed to purchase these cheaper versions.

In the ‘80s till the present day, homeowners started to search for wood burners and pellet appliances.

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Your Fireplace: The Center of Attention in Your Home

Visualize your fireplace as a stage where you should showcase your style. Be creative, be bold, and with the right supplies, you should be able to turn even an unused fireplace from being an eyesore to the room’s focal point.

Before you set out to decorate the mantel, be sure to check for broken bricks or cracks. The average cost for repairing a fireplace is around $380. Clean away the ashes and grime.

Your fireplace is the best place to display every little thing from flowers to art. You could also have your personal collection perched on the mantel.

The mantel actually says a lot about your style – whether you’re a minimalist or a lover of ornate things.

The mantel should be considered as a separate piece of furniture. It is similar to the console which can be easily set up as the focal point of a room. Don’t be stuck with the idea that fireplaces are a part of your home’s architecture. Think of it as the possible star of your interior design instead.

A classic way to decorate an unused fireplace is to mimic the look of a working one. Use candles and candle holders in different shapes and sizes. Use a riser to hold the candles above ground. Just be sure to follow fire safety protocol when decorating with candles.

Another decorative option is to put a mirror in that empty space. This should help spread the light in the room. ‘Remember the candle idea? Just add a mirror behind the set candles for a replicated effect.

‘Running out of ideas? Then gather all the books that you collect and have them arranged inside the fireplace. These will surely liven up the room.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 27th, 2016 at 10:15 am and is filed under Architectural Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.