There can be nothing more comforting than sitting in front of a beautiful fireplace. Here are some trends that are making the simple pleasure of enjoying a roaring fire even better.
Tiles are hot
Whether they’re patterned, textured, coloured, or natural effect, the tiles surrounding your fireplace are currently the hottest way to add personality and make a statement, according to Good Housekeeping.
Electric shock
Fireplaces don’t need to burn wood, with electric fireplaces predicted to set the marketplace on fire in 2019. Efficient heating systems and well insulated houses are pushing this trend because many people still want the visual effect of a fireplace in their living room but don’t need or want to install the flues to vent smoke output from gas, wood or coal fires.
Wood-burning well
Stoves and wood-burning fires are still at the heart of many people’s vision of the perfect fireplace, with wood stored close by in a metal log holder.
To ensure you’re burning a clean wood fire, you need to use fuel that has been seasoned so it does not release harmful particles into the atmosphere as it burns. Store your wood with contemporary metal log holders and you can ensure that the log pile looks every bit as good as the roaring fire.
Update your mantel display
A quick and cheaper way to upgrade your fireplace can be to change up the display of items on top of the mantelpiece. You can achieve a quick refresh by leaning fresh artwork against the wall or placing some vases with flowers on top of the mantel.
Bring back the inglenook
It may sound like something that can only work in an old cottage, but inglenook fireplaces are becoming a popular choice in 2019 as home owners seek the comfort of a cosy space surrounding a fire. Inglenook fireplaces with gas or electric fires at their centre are popular in 2019, and a metal log holder and a set of fire tools such as a poker and brush are almost compulsory inglenook accessories.
Going green
Finally, after the weather gets too warm to light a fire inside the house, you can still make a fireplace a feature as it can be a perfect place for some potted plants in a mini garden.
Real fire looks without an open hearth
Not every home can have an open fireplace, but that does not mean giving up the look. Modern gas and electric fires look remarkably real and avoid the need for wood or coal. Many can be installed without a flue, so you can create the feel of a real fire simply by adding a mantel around them.
For something special, a Defra approved multi fuel stove is another option. These stoves can burn several different materials and burn smokeless fuels very effectively, which makes them a better choice for the environment. They come in many styles and colours, so it is easy to find one to suit your room, and they look especially good in kitchens.
Whichever you choose, a fire or stove can become the focal point of a room, giving it warmth and charm as well as heat. Classic or contemporary, there is an option to suit every style of home.
Accessories that finish a fireplace
However stylish the surround, a bare fireplace can feel unfinished. A few well-chosen accessories make it far more inviting through the darker months. Scented candles on the mantelpiece add warmth and fragrance, and holders of different heights create interest and give you somewhere to add foliage or decorations over the festive season.
A real fire needs logs close at hand, and a metal log holder makes a striking alternative to the usual wicker basket. You will also need a set of fire tools, at least a poker, shovel, tongs, rake and brush. Choose a set that matches the tone of the room so the practical items look like ornaments.
The wall above the fireplace is often a large blank space. An oversized mirror works well there, creating the impression of an extra window without letting in cold air, making the room feel bigger and giving it a focal point. Finish with a cosy throw for cold evenings, and never leave a lit fire unattended.
