- Follow us:
The Maitland-Smith Dining Room Scrolled Textured Verdigris Iron Fire Screen, Brass Accents, Stone Base 1351-381 spells royalty.
When you walk into a living room, bedroom or dining room that has a fireplace, where do your eyes automatically rest? The fireplace is a natural focal point as it is a huge feature and when decorated correctly, it can even add to the beauty of the space.
Easy-on-the-Pocket Updates
Believe it or not, there are fireplace updates that are affordable. These include painting or repainting the wall surrounding the fireplace. You can also install fireplace glass doors which would replace the usual fireplace insert.
Having an old brick fireplace can be easily updated with a fresh coat of paint. Just be sure that this is what you want for a long time, though, because removing paint from brick can be an arduous process.
Don’t Forget About Safety
While decorating the mantel or the fireplace itself is important, it is crucial to also consider the fireplace safety. A fireplace that is in use throughout the year needs to have zero flammable decorative objects. Never hang decorations over the heart or right below the mantel. Do this and you are creating a major fire hazard.
Do not use plastic decorations around the area where the fire is set. Even distant heat can affect plastic and could become yet another fire hazard.
If you are making over your old living room fireplace, then be sure to check that all its parts are still in working condition. The liner and the damper, the chimney, all these need to be in tiptop shape.
Ceramic vases on the mantel: Uttermost Accessories Sara Textured Ceramic Vases
The Traditional Mirror
Another budget-friendly way of updating the fireplace mantel is to hang a decorative mirror. You can even do this each time that the season changes. Let’s begin by hanging a large, oversized mirror right above the mantel.
You have the option to hang this vertically or horizontally. The ideal ratio of the mirror to the mantel is 2:3. It should be no less than a two-thirds of the mantel width.
Assess how heavy the mirror is. Newer homes come with drywall while older ones come with brick or drywall covering. Drill a small hole to check (the one-eighths bit should do). Often, large mirrors come with a picture hanger while some have a D ring.
The mirror must be used to reflect the décor that is positioned on top of it. The ideal options are sparkling crystal, flower vase, glowing candles or large figurines. When the mirror is hung above the mantel, then you can put accessories on both sides. This achieves a symmetrical display.
Have a crystal chandelier or a lovely pendant lighting fixture hanging in the middle of the room. Make sure that the mirror reflects this amazing sight, too.
Use Decorative Screens
What easier way is there to decorate the fireplace than just install your latest fireplace screen? The fireplace screen isn’t just decorative, it is also functional. Don’t just default to a black screen. There are now many stylish ways to keep the embers and ash away from the room.
Spice up the room with a stylish fireplace screen in warm bronze or gold.
Decorating All Around
Since the fireplace draws the eyes naturally towards it, then the décor should be able to frame this one feature. While this is so, be careful that you do not drown out the rest of the room with the decorative stuff that you use.
The fireplace is cozy and naturally warm so you can arrange the seats all around it. This can become the social hub for your family. This can also be arranged in a way that bibliophiles would surely love. A reader’s nook near the fireplace is also a breathtaking sight to add.
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
