subject: The Lively Fireplace: How To Reinvent Your Fireplace Surrounds And Mantels [print this page] The fireplace is a common fixture for many homes because of their function and added style. In the past, a fireplace is not limited to providing warmth but was also used for cooking. However, the fireplace, nowadays, functions more as a warmth-provider than a cooking tool. Throughout history, homeowners have had established a love-hate relationship with the fireplace; love for the cozy look that the fireplace surrounds and mantels provide, and hate due to the extra cleaning that this part of the house demands.
Because a fireplace is usually dirty, associated to the ashes produced from the wood burning, many homeowners tend to disregard it during decorating or updating their homes. However, it should be taken into consideration that this place have great potentials to transform the look of the living area and make it feel cozier. When transforming the fireplace, many home owners prefer to begin changing the designs of their fireplace surrounds. After finishing the surround, redecorating and updating the rest of the fireplace parts becomes easier.
Fireplace surrounds serves as a boarder that encircles the fireplace opening. Hearths and bricks are the usual materials used for the surrounds of a conventional fireplace. However, due the improvements in fireplace designs, various materials are now available in the market to fit the needs of homeowners. Woods, tiles, slates and marbles are the most commonly used designs for surrounds, but unconventional materials like the plaster is also making waves in the market. With the wide options available to suit the design and budget needs of homeowners, designing the fireplace is much easier and more accessible.
Many homeowners perceive that the drawbacks of using a traditional fireplace is the foul smell of burning wood, which also makes it difficult to clean. As an alternative, the use of electric fireplace heater is a viable solution because it does not require the use of fuel and wood, rather uses electric power to function. Basically, this form of fireplace creates three-dimensional blaze produced by authentic looking synthetic woods, giving the illusion that there is real fire coming from the fireplace. The electric fireplace provide its users the option to adjust the temperature with just a click.
An electric fireplace can also be decorated in order to provide a modernized look to the room where it is in place. Aside from the surrounds, electric fireplace mantels can be changed depending on the homeowner's style. The fireplace mantels, which usually serve as the framing of the fireplace, can be transformed into a masterpiece through proper selection of materials. Prefabricated mantels in different forms and sizes are now available at home improvement stores, making it easier to apply the necessary changes in the fireplace.
In general, not only is the fireplace a warmth-provider but also an important part of the house that can be transformed into a relaxing view. With the availability of efficient electric fireplace, additional mess in the house is not a problem anymore. More importantly, with the improvements that can be made in the electric fireplace mantels and surrounds, the opportunities to rejuvenate living space are endless. With the many options in the marketplace, it's about time to say goodbye to that lifeless fireplace.
