How to Design Your Bedroom with a Fireplace in Mind
People often associate fireplaces with shared family space, such as living rooms or dens. And of course we heartily believe in family gatherings in front of the hearth. But nothing makes your home more luxurious than a bedroom fireplace. Bringing the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace into this more private sphere will enhance your bedroom and increase the joy and resale value of your house. Don’t forget this important feature when creating your dream home.
Here are a few tips for designing your bedroom with a fireplace.
What is the focal point?
Do you want your bed to face the fireplace, making it a focal point? Or do you want it to be a warm, but less obvious feature? The answers to these questions will depend on the size and layout of your bedroom, and on your personal tastes. If you opt for an understated fireplace, consider placing it in a nook off to one side of the bed. In a very large bedroom, you could place the fireplace in the middle and make it the central design element. Another key decision when placing a fireplace in your bedroom is whether or not you want to go with a raised hearth. A raised hearth can create a more romantic setting by lifting the mantel off the floor and allowing you to gaze into the fire even when laying in bed like the OWS Rothton mantel with raised hearth featured below.
Photo provided by Gibson Gimpel Interior Designs
Display your favorite private mementos
Since few people generally come into one’s bedroom, reserve the mantel over your bedroom fireplace for your absolute favorite items. This is the place to display those things that are too fragile for the public areas, too precious to you, or trinkets that you don’t want to explain to your company. Many people feel pressured to display gifts they receive from family or friends, whether they like them or not. The bedroom mantel is the place to indulge yourself with only the items you treasure.
Traditional Mantel with Keepsakes and Family Photos
Match mantel décor to your comforter
One of the quickest ways to change the feel of a bedroom is to switch out the comforter. Since the bed usually takes up much of the room’s floor space, changing its main color drastically influences the room. For example, you can go from pale, soothing blue to vibrant, energetic red in seconds. Use your mantel décor to echo this switch. Pair a midnight blue comforter with cornflower blue silk flowers on the mantel, or a many-colored comforter with candles in rainbow colors lined up across your mantel. The same idea works well if you’re changing holiday décor. If you have chairs in the bedroom, consider slipcovers to add to the room’s metamorphosis.
Use color
Use a bright color to really make a classic mantel pop. Notice how the unexpectedness of the green in the photo below emphasizes the rounded arch and ornate style of our Rothton mantel. Too much color for you? Just paint the fireplace wall the dramatic hue, and choose lighter tones for the other walls.
We’re sure that you’ll love a fireplace in the bedroom, and the fun of a mantel to enhance your décor. Need some guidance? Call us today and we’ll be happy to discuss the best fireplace and mantel choices for your bedroom.
