The fireplace is a focal point and a meeting place not only in the heart of the living room. It is difficult not to pay attention to it at the design stage, as it will catch the eye of guests and household members. Whether you opt for a classic brick inspiration, a modern electric fireplace with a minimalist design or a decorative ornamental fireplace even without an actual heating aspect, you certainly want to fill the surround with elements that reflect the character of the interior. You may decide to decorate the hearth with beloved artwork, plants, a collection of mirrors... or you may opt for a DIY project - such as refreshing with a new coat of paint. Regardless of the Pinterest boards you watch, the inspiration filling Instagram, your personal style and level of ambition, it's worth taking a look at how interiors with fireplaces implement design and what to look out for.
Fireplace inspirations - good practice
To start with a bit of general advice, although not necessarily obvious at first glance. For the space above the fireplace, it is advisable to choose vases, artwork and sculptural pieces that suit your design style. Sometimes the fireplace is used as a TV stand, so think of creative ways to distract attention from the screen when no one is using it. Don't forget that the interior of a decorative fireplace doesn't have to be reserved for logs - you can choose a decorative tile pattern and then fill it with plants, books, lanterns or use candelabras. A flurry of inspiration produces the most interesting arrangements and experiments even if it's just a kind of imitation. Another open-ended, character-adding consideration is the seasons - changing your fireplace decor is a great way to enhance your living room from autumn and Christmas through to spring and summer. Opt for festive greens and cosy textures on your Christmas mantelpiece, as well as bright hues and invigorating fresh flowers as the weather starts to warm up. And if there are other heat sources in the room, such as radiators or underfloor heating, consider how the fireplace will interact with them in terms of function and aesthetics. The extensive range, customisation options and expert advice in HITZE is a guarantee against the need for complex reconstruction - but more on that in a moment.
Modern fireplace arrangements
Focusing on simplicity, economy, functionality and the avoidance of excessive ornamentation, the approach to interior design does not go out of fashion and maintains its popularity. Contemporary interior design trends often emphasise minimalist solutions that give spaces elegance, a sense of calm and a modern feel. An important consideration is, of course, the building block itself, i.e. what has been used to finish around the fireplace. This certainly includes glass panels, stainless steel, white marble and the slightly less obvious concrete - all of which can give the interior a modern feel. Well, let's conclude even more practically: there may yet be time for any eclectic additions when you want to change the concept, who knows?
Consider building the fireplace into a wall or piece of furniture, which will give the room a neat, modern look. You can also integrate shelves or cabinets around the fireplace for extra functionality. Use muted, neutral colours such as greys, beiges, whites and blacks throughout the design and implementation of the arrangement. Complement the arrangement with modern lighting to enhance the atmosphere. When it comes to lighting, familiarise yourself with the colour temperature in Kelvin (K), which you will certainly come across on the shelves. A neutral colour is more balanced, close to natural daylight, and is a popular choice in living rooms and bedrooms, where the aim is to strike a balance between cosiness and functionality. You can use designer ceiling, floor or table lamps, or consider discreet LED strips, of which there is a veritable abundance on the market. The general rule is simple, functional decoration and avoiding too many decorative elements around the fireplace. Believe us - a beautiful, clean vision of the flame defends itself.
Why minimalism? Integrating the interior with the fireplace
Is minimalist style at odds with the warmth of the home? Well, we think not. The coolness usually associated with this minimalism due to neutral colours and as few elements as possible can be balanced out achieving a visual harmony that translates into relaxation. Minimalist design is versatile and easily adapts to different lifestyles and aesthetic preferences. It is timeless and can survive changing trends. Finally, a simple and tidy space - in a sort of opposition to cold and surgical, because we don't propose that at all - can contribute to well-being and stress reduction. After all, it has been well known for a long time that the absence of excessive stimuli in the surroundings helps to concentrate on what is important both at work and at leisure.
Modern fireplaces - assets and design
Design advice helps to understand what aesthetic and stylistic elements will fit in with the overall interior design. This, in turn, is a step towards an informed approach to the selection of the appliance itself, which will not only fulfil the technical functions, but also fit harmoniously into this design. Often, general interior trends circulate somewhere in the back of our minds and need to be crystallised. You will find all the specifications, technical parameters and functional notes on the product pages in the HITZE in the Fireplaces menu.
Fireplace with water jacket
At HITZE, we have ensured that water jacket fireplaces were available in a simple design. They can complement minimalist, modern, classic or rustic interiors. Glass and metal panels mean lightness, and the choice of transparency or matt provides interesting visual effects. You will often encounter familiar geometric forms such as cuboids or cubes, but also less obvious, asymmetrical forms. The clean glass effect is provided by a specially prepared curtain, so there is no hindrance to cleaning.
FREESTANDING FIREPLACE
In fact, we should put them at the top of the list because of their growing popularity. This is because a common concern when choosing a fireplace relates to both installation and design in situations where our design space is simply limited. After all, we don't want to see disfiguring heating elements in the interior or lead to a situation where a fireplace that is too large or too small creates a mismatched effect. As in the case of the predecessors, freestanding fireplaces, especially the series LEGNO and LUPOThis is a guarantee of cleanliness and clarity even with frequent use. Due to their small, functional dimensions, it is worth opting for them when choosing industrial design. They are increasingly popular with owners of cottages or those living in townhouses and city flats.
Gas fireplace
Gas fireplaces from the HITZE range will work well with the industrial design of an urban dwelling, for example with an enclosure created with a glass partition. HITZE Calma line of gas fireplaces using glass neoclear from leading Japanese manufacturer Nippon Electronic Glass is a double-sided, polished coating with an anti-reflective effect, which eliminates concerns about the clear vision of the flame.
Double-sided fireplace and corner fireplace
The experience of the HITZE team suggests that double-sided fireplaces and Corner fireplaces is an issue that is often linked to a rather precise initial concept for the design. However, this does not mean that an advantage here turns into an installation restriction and that there is no question of flexibility. On the contrary, corner fireplaces often find their way into extremely uncluttered rooms or into the boundaries of kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms.They work well in rooms where they can be placed as a central element dividing the space into two parts. They can be used in living rooms, dining rooms or even between two rooms to create a striking view through the glazed sides of the fireplace, for finding the optimum use of an unused corner in a room and wherever ergonomics is the main factor.
Okay, now we have some basics! A handful of design trivia will certainly come in handy, both in conversation with friends and in the general idea of what you are looking for and what you will definitely want to give up. From there, it is not far to the integration of building automation and smart home. While design advice focuses on aesthetic aspects, it is worth remembering that technical and functional considerations are just as important. The final choice of HITZE always takes into account both visual appeal and the fulfilment of functional requirements. More ideas can be found in the Inspirations and the Customer Area menu on the HITZE web shop website.