Many years ago, we used fireplaces in our homes to cook, heat water, and provide warmth in winter. However, fireplaces and their surrounds have adapted to many new functions. Although they still make most of us think of cozy nights, being safe indoors, and spending time together, they also create interior design opportunities. With the proper styling, a fireplace and surround can make a room more attractive.
Without a surround, fireboxes don’t have much character. The hearth, mantel, and decorative details turn this simple heat source into an inspired interior design element. Here are some tips for styling a statement fireplace in your home:
Fireplaces as Foundations for the Rest of the Room
Fireplaces are eye-catching, and decorative surrounds make them more so. A contemporary fireplace mantel is the perfect focal point in an open-plan room. It quickly becomes the main attraction, defining the seating area and making an oversized space feel more comfortable and cozy.
If you’re unsure where to start with your living room design, look to your fireplace for inspiration. For instance, you could allow the style to dictate the furniture you buy or choose paint colors that bring out the material’s natural beauty.
Making the Fireplace Part of the Art
Often, buying wall art starts a train of interior design upgrades. The space shouldn’t crowd the artwork; instead, let it shine as a standalone piece. If you want to hang art above your fireplace, renovating the surround can make a big difference to the overall look. For example, a simple, sleek mantel might emphasize the geometry in a modernist artwork.
You can take this idea further by color-matching a concrete fireplace surround to sculptures or statement furniture. This way, the room becomes a life-sized artwork for you and your guests to enjoy.
Extending a Fireplace Surround Into an Accent Wall
Most of the time, living room layouts demand that the fireplace is always in view. That means the walls they’re built in are constantly on display, making them the perfect choice for accent walls. An accent wall is supposed to liven up a space, introducing new textures or colors that don’t have to match the rest of the room.
The fireplace surround should be the starting point for your feature wall. Concrete fireplace surrounds work extra well here. You can extend the concrete up to the ceiling to add height and drama to a room. If you prefer to make the fireplace look wider, try installing the concrete to the left and right of the firebox itself. Striking materials, textures, and colors eliminate tired monotony from large living areas.
Transcend Style Boundaries, Blend Old and New
Just because you want an old-world living room with real candles and books doesn’t mean you can’t have a contemporary fireplace mantel. It’s 2024, and we no longer have to conform to strict interior design standards. You can even pair a classy, traditional fireplace surround with colorful, modern furniture to get that trendy blend of old and new that many designers strive for.
Mixing contemporary and classic styles is easy with a fireplace surround at the core of your design. It’s a prominent feature that demands attention and cements your style into the actual fabric of the building.
Commission a Custom Fireplace Surround in Concrete
If you’re looking for a designer fireplace mantel for your Calgary home, look no further than Sculptural Design. Our in-house designers, makers, and installation experts craft concrete fireplace surrounds from scratch, bringing any design vision to life. Get in touch with us today or explore our gallery for more inspiration.
