With the weather finally turning colder, there’s no better place to spend those long, dark nights than wrapped up in your own home. Whether you’ve got a real working fire or are thinking about buying an antique fireplace to add something special to your favourite room, there are lots of things you can do to keep cosy this winter. We’ve put together our top fireplace ideas to help you get started.
1. Make a statement
The changing seasons inspire lots of us to give our homes a bit of a refresh. But instead of picking up a paintbrush why not make a statement this season?
If you want to transform your house for winter, installing an antique fireplace could be the perfect place to start. For the most dramatic effect, choose a fireplace that contrasts with your existing colour palette, such as a cast iron, Georgian fireplace on a plain cream wall.
If you’re already ahead of the game when it comes to winter interior design and have painted your walls grey - this season’s hue of choice - opting for a cream, marble fireplace will really make a statement.
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2. Embellish
An antique fireplace, for example a Victorian fireplace, looks stunning on its own but there’s plenty you can do to get even more out of it this winter.
One of the simplest fireplace ideas is to use the mantel and hearth as a space to display favourite items from around your home – whether it be prints, candles or even a large mirror.
As you’re preparing for the change of seasons, why not decorate the fireplace with pumpkins before making way for a festive display? Mini Christmas trees, wreaths and winter garlands all look great and add a real holiday feeling to the room.
Of course, it goes without saying that you need to take extra precautions about any type of decoration if you’ve got a real working fire.
3. Mix the old and the new
Just because you’ve got a new build doesn’t mean you can’t fill your home with classic antiques.
A fireplace from the 18th century won’t necessarily look out of place in a minimalist living room, while an art deco piece can still work beautifully in a Georgian house.
Juxtaposing sleek lines with more ornate items remains on trend and is one of our top fireplace ideas for this winter.
4. Accessorise
Even if your fireplace is just for decoration, the accessories you choose to go alongside it can certainly add a sense of warmth to your home.
A pretty log basket or wooden box full of kindling can add a real rustic feel, while another great winter interior design idea is to add a vase of seasonal flowers such as white roses or red poinsettia on either side of the sill.
If you’re looking for a laid back vibe, there are plenty of fireplace ideas to make the room feel slightly less formal, such as choosing candles in different shapes or sizes and ensuring the decoration on each side of the hearth is slightly different rather than totally symmetrical.
5. Get a slice of history
If antiques are your thing then why not treat yourself to a unique, one-off piece this winter?
Fireplaces are full of history and there are so many styles to choose from – whether you go for something in the Italian Renaissance style, an English Gothic piece or a Regency antique. The oldest fireplace held by Westland dates back to the 15th century, so there really should be something for everyone!
If you already count yourself as a bit of an antique collector, find a fireplace that fits in with some of the items you’ve already got, and don’t forget you can add accessories like screens, tongs and baskets to boost your collection.
6. Big up the backdrop
An ornate fireplace on a plain wall can make a real statement, but if you’ve opted for a simpler design then highlighting the space above it is one of our best fireplace ideas. A large, antique mirror above the fireplace is one popular option, or you could hang a stylish clock or your favourite painting.
Just make sure you get the balance right – if the item is too small it will get lost by the fireplace, too big and it will become the main focal point. It might take a few goes to get it right, but the final outcome will look great.
7. Light it up
Whether you have a real fire or not, lighting up the fireplace will ensure it remains the focal point of your room, especially on those dark winter nights.
One of the most popular fireplace ideas is to decorate the space around it with plenty of candles or festive fairy lights - but for something a bit more permanent, a concealed strip light is also a popular option. Installing spotlights under the sill can also help your home feel warm this winter, or you could opt for a stylish pendant light on the wall above the fireplace to highlight its full potential.
8. Don’t forget the floor
While you might be thinking about which fireplace will fit best with your walls, your floors are just as important.
A patterned carpet is likely to jar with an ornate fireplace, while wooden flooring alongside a pine surround might be a bit too much.
If your current floor isn’t the best match but you aren’t in a position for a full overhaul, a new rug could be the answer. As well as creating a fresh colour scheme, rugs are great when it comes to keeping warm in winter and a lot less hassle than changing the entire carpet.
9. Fill the space
If you’re thinking about how to keep warm this winter, there’s no denying that a roaring fire is the best option. However, even if you don’t have that luxury, there are still plenty of great fireplace ideas to help you fill that empty space and create a cosy, inviting home.
Stacking logs inside the fireplace gives the room a real cosy feel and it can also be a unique new space for your favourite plants.
You could also try something a little different, including filling it with books, stacking it with trunks/boxes or even installing small shelves and using it to display photographs or other seasonal knick knacks.
It might seem like summer has just ended but now is the perfect time to start preparing for winter and thinking about the changes you want to make to your home. Give some of our fireplace ideas a go and we’re sure you’ll be reluctant to leave the comfort of your own house over the next few months!