On long winter evenings, I so want to cozy up by the fireplace in my favorite armchair and with a cup of aromatic coffee ... A fireplace is the dream of every owner of a country house. And the size of the living room does not matter. You can create a warm and cozy atmosphere on any square meters.
Varieties of Fireplaces
Content
Depending on the location of this heat source, the following types of fireplaces exist:
- Island. Such a "hearth" is set in the middle of the room. The advantage of this installation is high heat transfer. The room warms up much better than in all other cases. Therefore, island fireplaces are a practical option.
- Wall. It is installed near the wall (external or internal). Its significant drawback is the loss of part of the thermal energy, especially if the fireplace is installed near an external wall. As a rule, this option is more decorative than practical.
- Built-in fireplace. This solution is ideal for small living rooms. To install the hearth, a special niche or column is mounted in order to save the already modest dimensions.
The right model choice is very important. It is from him that future comfort and safety will depend.
The determining factor for the “right” fireplace is the capabilities of your premises. For example, to install a classic wood fireplace, you need a living room of impressive size, in addition, maintenance of the structure will require additional funds. Therefore, very often in tiny rooms a decorative false fireplace (imitation) or electric fireplace is installed.
Space organization
Often in small living rooms a modern electric "relative" of the wood hearth is installed. At the same time, the external attractiveness and functionality of the design is preserved.
The fireplace design is chosen in unison with the overall decoration of the living room. So, for the hall in the classical style, a design with monograms, gilding and ornate decorative elements made of natural materials is chosen. For the Art Nouveau and high-tech style, a design made of glass and heat-resistant plastic is suitable. A mantelpiece - no matter what style the hearth is made in - is a great place for decorative elements. Family photos, statuettes and caskets will add coziness and warmth to the general atmosphere of the living room.
The wall above the mantelpiece is ideal for placing pictures or reproductions in an appropriate style on it.
A recreation area is created in the immediate vicinity of the fireplace. It is no exaggeration to say that it is for this purpose that a fireplace is often installed. A pair of armchairs, a convenient lamp and a table are the most suitable solution for such an area. Dimensions of furniture depend solely on personal preferences and dimensions of the room.So, in a small living room with a small fireplace, compact armchairs and a small transformer coffee table are perfectly arranged. In the large living room for pleasant family evenings you can install a couple of sofas and a medium-sized table.
Interior Design Tips With Fireplace
At first glance it seems that in order to organize a stylish interior, it is enough to simply install a fireplace in the living room and everything will automatically fall into place. In practice, exactly the opposite effect is obtained. The presence of a fireplace “makes” certain requirements for the interior solution and sets its own conditions, without which the design of the room looks ridiculous.
Since it is the fireplace that becomes the highlight of the room, all other objects, even small decorative elements, must be in harmony with it.
The first thing to consider is the undesirable neighborhood of the TV and fireplace. Both objects are dominant in the interior, and for maximum harmony of space it is better to place them at some distance from each other.
In order to create an overall picture of the design, experts recommend decorating the room in one “theme”, otherwise the result will be an incomprehensible heap of objects independent from each other.
When choosing a color scheme, take into account the fact that the fireplace looks better on a light background. Avoid dark colors in your choice of decoration materials. Finally, it is light colors that visually expand the space, which is very handy for a small living room with fireplace.
Although the mantelpiece is a good place to arrange pleasant things, do not clutter it so that it does not become the center of attention instead of a fireplace. A picture in a frame and a figurine (or a small vase) will quite cope with their role.
Another design trick for a visual increase in space is the proper arrangement of fixtures. Focus on the area where the fireplace is installed. Do not be satisfied with just one large chandelier, but install several light sources in different parts of the room. If the ceilings are multi-level, then mount the lamps at different heights, this move will make the living room even more spectacular.
Decorate the space near the fireplace in bright colors. Sometimes a bright island is created in the general interior of a darker color.
Vertical accents and mirrors will make the small room spacious and airy. In this case, do not be afraid of experiments. The most unexpected decisions give an amazing effect.
Fireplace in the living room in a different style
As already mentioned, regardless of the size and functionality of the fireplace, its design should correspond to the style of the living room.
Country
Very often this element of the interior is used in country style living rooms. The fireplace itself can be effectively decorated with ceramic tiles. And you can confine yourself to facing ordinary brick, for country this option is acceptable.
Chalet
The chalet-style living room resembles a hunting lodge in the Alps, where it is impossible to do without a fireplace. Interior features include wooden wall finishes, rough beams on the ceilings and large panoramic windows. A fireplace in brown or beige is the perfect solution for this design.Natural stone (or its high-quality imitation) is suitable as a finishing material.
Scandinavian
The Scandinavian direction in interior design is becoming very popular. Its characteristic features are light colors, laconic interior and the use of natural materials for decoration. Therefore, the fireplace is finished with light ceramic tiles or stone. This option will be suitable for a modest living room. If the parameters of the living room are impressive, the hearth is made in darker colors.
High tech
A high-tech fireplace also has a place to be. At first glance, it might seem that this modern design area will not be able to "get along" with a fireplace. However, laconic models with a glossy surface fit very harmoniously into the functional design. An interesting solution is the steel surface of the fireplace against a dark background of the overall decoration of the living room. Another high-tech know-how is fireplaces with a glass surface. From the point of view of space heating, such models are not very practical, but they look great.
Modern
The Art Nouveau style is complemented by a brickwork fireplace. Concise, familiar and very practical solution. And in terms of style, and regarding the heating of the living room. In order to make this option more interesting, use a brick of gray or black instead of traditional red.
Loft
The loft-style living room is a minimum of decorative elements and a maximum of functionality. A fireplace in this design must meet the same requirements. By the way, such an interior involves finishing one or two walls with brickwork. The fireplace in this case fits perfectly into the brick wall.
Even in an ordinary apartment, you can install a fireplace or its high-quality decorative imitation. This ancient element of the interior immediately makes the house cozier and warmer. And evenings by the fireplace turn a family dinner into an unforgettable pastime.
Video: fireplaces in the interiors of modern living rooms