A wall with a fireplace almost always becomes the focal point of a room. Settling into a comfortable chair by the fire on a chilly evening is a cool-weather treat. Carrying the fireplace wall’s color and decorative style throughout the room unifies the space and adds cohesion. Simple decorator touches make the fireplace room the heart of the home.
1,Paint the fireplace wall with an accent color from your color scheme, if desired. For example, if your room has light beige walls, paint the fireplace wall in a medium russet brown. You also can get the same effect by using wallpaper on the same color scheme on the fireplace wall.
2,Create a comfortable seating area close to the fireplace. For example, place an armchair on either side of the fireplace, facing each other, and set an ottoman or coffee table between them. Place the furniture pieces at least 3 feet from the fireplace wall to allow enough space for safety and convenient access to the fireplace. To complete the seating area, place a sofa or loveseat facing the fireplace, with ottoman or coffee table in front of the sofa. This will form a square or rectangle with one side of the square being the fireplace, the opposite side will be the sofa, and the two chairs will form the remaining sides. The ottoman or coffee table will be in center of the square or rectangle.
3,Repeat the color of the focal wall in accents around the room, such as curtains, throw pillows and lamp bases. If you did not paint the focal wall, use a color from the fireplace surround to use as an accent color. If you have masonry going to the top of the wall and no surround, use an accent color from the color tones of the masonry.
4,Group decorative elements, such as a vases, figurines and candleholders, on the fireplace mantel. Hang a picture or mirror above the mantel. In formal settings, create a symmetrical arrangement, with the picture or mirror centered above the fireplace, a candlestick on either side of it, and another decorative element of similar size and shape on both ends of the mantel. Informal arrangements can use odd numbers of decorative elements and do not need to be centered or symmetrical — for example, group a collection of figurines at one end of the mantel and balance with a vase of flowers and a candle at the other end.
5,Get your fireplace ready for summer after the last fire of the season. Clean out the fireplace ashes and safely dispose of them. Use a decorative folding screen to hide the fireplace opening or place real, dried or artificial plants in front of the opening.
Things You Will Need:
Paint or wallpaper, if desired
Armchairs
Ottoman or coffee table
Sofa or loveseat
Curtains
Throw pillows
Lamps
Vases
Figurines
Candleholders
Picture
Fireplace tools and screen
Decorative Screen
Plants
Tip
If your furniture is easily moved, you can create a close-in seating arrangement by the fireplace during the winter. During the summer, move the furniture out and away to create a spacious and airy seating plan.
Warning
Always use appropriate fireplace tools and a fire screen to contain any sparks or embers that might escape the fireplace.
