Choosing Fireplace Surrounds That Match Your Interior Design Style

The perfect surround for your fireplace can be the difference between enhancing or ruining the look of the room, whether you have an electric fireplace or wood-burning tabletop fireplace. Finding a fireplace surround that matches your style of interior isn't always straightforward.

Brick can be used in modern, rustic, or farmhouse-style homes. It's also an excellent choice for homeowners with a limited budget, since it can be easily painted.

Wood

A wood fireplace surround can be an extremely important piece of furniture, as it creates a focal point within the room and breaks walls that might otherwise be blank. A wooden fireplaces surround also makes it easier to hang holiday decor. Pine surrounds can be used to hang garlands and wreaths and can be easily taken down after the holidays.

When selecting a wood fireplace surround, it's crucial to select one that complements the style of your home. Wooden fireplace surrounds can be found in a range of styles and finishes that fit any decor, from traditional to contemporary. There are a range of options in terms of dimensions and design. For example some fireplace surrounds are in a flat style and is set to the wall flush, while others are designed to act as an actual mantel and are set away from it.

Oak is the most well-known wood used for fireplace surrounds. It is durable and beautiful. It is a strong thick and dense wood that is impervious to warping, shrinkage, and swelling. It is also hygroscopic. This means it absorbs moisture from the air. This protects against fungus attack and Marble fireplaces damage.

Oak veneers and pine are also available as fireplace surrounds. Both are fairly inexpensive and are usually sold as complete surrounds, with the hearth and back panel as well. These can be purchased from numerous DIY and home stores. Online retailers such as Pureglow offer them often.

When buying a wood fireplace surround, it's important to remember that it must be located a certain distance away from the opening of the fireplace to ensure safety. This distance is determined by the clearance for fire hazards requirements which are based on the regulations and codes applicable to your home area.

Stone

A fireplace surround made of stone is a great option to give a warm and rustic style to your home. It not only blends in with your style of interior design but it can also improve the value of your home. Indeed, some studies show that a beautiful designed fireplace can help you make your house sell more quickly and at a higher price.

You can pick from a range of stones to make your fireplace surround. They include granite and marble. Both are durable and will last for a long amount of time with minimle to absorb heat, which helps to keep the room warm even after the fire is out. Marble comes in a range of finishes and colors so you can find the perfect match for your style.

If you choose to go with a fireplace that is made of marble, you will want to pick a color that is in harmony with the other elements of design in the room. White marble is a classic choice for neutral tones. It can be paired with wood trim and accent pieces to create an elegant style. Darker marbles, like the swirls in this house by Tamsin Johnston work well with earth tones and relaxed styles.

Be prepared to do some extra maintenance when you select a marble fireplace. Marble is more susceptible to staining than other materials and requires frequent sealing to preserve its appearance. It is also important to wipe the marble down frequently to avoid etching or water staining. There are marble cleaners available. However, you should test them in a discreet area before using them to clean your marble surround. If you're not comfortable committing to ongoing maintenance, you can consider granite instead as an affordable alternative.

Granite

Granite is an unnatural stone that can be used to add a stunning accent in any fireplace. It's a sturdy stone that is resistant to wear and tear and stands up to extreme temperatures, making it a great choice for fireplaces. It's also non-combustible which helps to keep the area around the fire safe from ash and other debris that could fall and cause damage to the structure.

You can offer your clients the possibility of a variety of granite colors to choose from for their fireplace surrounds. For a striking design, consider black and silvery white swirls that enhance the geometric design of a modern-style gas fireplace. For a different look, a marbled granite surround that wraps for several feet around the frame of a wood-burning fireplace can create a single wall accent in a traditional living area.

Limestone is a different non-combustible choice with a classic aesthetic for any home. It is available in a variety of colors that include light browns and creams. It can be used to complement a variety of styles and design themes. It is resistant to heat and is able to resist smoke from burning wood. However, it should be sealed regularly to prevent staining and water penetration.

If your customers want a more cool tone, try Baracuda blue granite. It has oceanic ripples in shades of white, grey, and blue. This granite is stunning in a fireplace and is easy to maintain.

Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma. It has superior strength and durability. It's rated seven of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it extremely difficult to scratch. Unlike other natural stones, which break or crack easily under stress, granites are able to endure a lot of stress without causing damage. This longevity is a key element that allows granite structures to remain intact for centuries.

Steel

A steel fireplace surround is a great way to bring modern style to your home. Its neutral design is easy to maintain and blends with many different types of decor. It is possible to use it on its own or combine it with other materials such as wood for a traditional style.

A metal surround can be useful to reduce draft issues. It provides a smaller space for combustion, which can reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the flue. This is particularly beneficial for gas-powered fireplaces.

Steel fireplace surrounds are available in a variety of styles and finishes. Some are brushed or polished to create a more elegant appearance and others have a rougher surface to add contrast to an area. The type of steel you select will depend on your aesthetic preference and the color scheme you choose for your room.

Some fireplace surrounds made of steel come with a mantel which can be used to hold decorative items such as vase or even plants. The design of the mantel can be different but the majority of them have a simple or stepped design to give a more dimensional look to your fireplace.

Alternatively, you can choose to install a surround without mantel. This is usually cheaper and is suitable for smaller rooms where a large surround may be too large for the space.

It is crucial to consider the size of your hearth and chimney breast when you are installing the new surround. This will ensure that the surround does not extend more than the front of the hearth and is at a safe distance from fireplace opening. If you plan to use a combustible surround, you'll need to consider the local codes and regulations. A professional can give you advice on this.