Contemporary Fireplace Ideas for Any Season
Be cozy with style!
Contemporary fireplaces are a growing trend in new-construction home projects. Not only is the idea of a more contemporary, clean fireplace attractive to homeowners, there is also a desire to add this element to various rooms throughout the home including the living room, dining room, home office, and master bedroom.
There are several elements that are the hallmark of a contemporary fireplace.
Fire Balls vs. Electrical Units
Fire balls are a great option for homeowners who want a more contemporary look in a traditional home style. Fire balls are ceramic balls that are made of refractory material and used for indoor or outdoor gas fire pits. They are eco-friendly, fireproof, and have been rated to withstand scorching temperatures. The balls can be set within a traditional firebox and mantel setting and can strike the perfect balance between traditional and modern.
Electrical inserts are a typical addition to a new fireplace that can be added on after the home has been constructed, because they require no exterior changes and have no architectural impact.
Before you can design your fireplace wall, you need to know what type of insert you're using and the actual size of the unit or burner firebox, because that will impact how you design the wall detail around it.
As you design your fireplace surround, you’ll want to consider how far it will project out from the wall, especially if you are entering the room from either side or both sides of the fireplace. Take special note of how far the unit protrudes and whether it obstructs your path when you enter the room. This is where the dimensions and construction of your fireplace insert can help you.
For surface-mounted electric units, you can decrease the depth of the fireplace surround because you don’t have to account for the 18ʺ” depth of an actual fire-burning unit.
Once you know the depth of your fireplace unit, then pay attention to the finishing details of the top and the bottom of the unit.
Does the crown molding and baseboard for the room continue around the surround or does it break?
If it breaks, how is the transition between the molding and the surround treated? Whatever route you choose, make sure that your molding details and transitions look purposeful and clean.
The last thing to consider when you are thinking about adding a contemporary fireplace element to your space is any codes or regulations regarding the fire rating for the materials around the unit.
If you have a working fireplace, then the material you put around it has to be rated such that it can withstand high temperatures. Also, it’s important to consider how the drywall installation is completed around the unit, the materials on top of the drywall, and the overall finishing detail around the fireplace unit.
You will also likely need a hearth for a working fireplace unit. For a traditional look, opt for a heart that sits atop the floor. For a more contemporary look, choose a heart that is set into the floor. If you have an electrical insert that does not produce heat, you have more flexibility regarding the material you can place around your unit.
Tip: At the end of the day, if you are considering adding a contemporary fireplace element to your space, remember to understand what fireplace insert you’ll be using, and pay careful attention to the types of materials you use to create the surround so that your installation is not only beautiful but also safe.
Award-winning, Baton Rouge-based interior designer and content creator Arianne Bellizaire has been named a High Point Market Authority Style Spotter (2015), Perlick Ambassador of Cool (2017), Villeroy & Boch Color Challenge Winner (2017), Modenus Blog Tour invitee (2016 & 2019), and Modenus DesignHound (Spain and London 2016, Surfaces 2018). She was also selected as an Ambassador for NYDC 2020 What's New What's Next. Her work and expertise have been featured in Forbes, Rue Daily, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Business Of Home, and USA Today.
