How to Decorate a Full Wall Fireplace
How to Decorate Around Big Wall Fireplaces
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A large wall fireplace certainly may add drama and character to a room. Decorating around such a statement piece, though, may be a real challenge. While you want the fireplace to stand as the room's focal point, you must add complementary pieces that help provide a balanced and attractive look for the space. Choosing the right ones may seem difficult, but if you focus on factors such as size and color, you'll wind up with an ideal design for the fireplace and the rest of the room.
Keep Scale in Mind
A full wall fireplace has a dramatic presence in a room, but for a balanced look, you should surround it with furniture that is similar in scale. The large fireplace will dwarf small, delicate furniture items and make them seem out of place, so opt for bigger pieces that stand up well against the fireplace wall. For example, in a living room, forgo a basic sofa and chair combination for a large sectional that balances the look of the wall fireplace. In a bedroom, choose a bed with a dramatic frame and headboard, such as a four poster or canopy style, to get the proportions right. You might want to add a floor-to-ceiling piece such as bookshelves or cabinets to the wall opposite the fireplace to create a balanced look.
Play With Color
Wall fireplaces typically are made of natural materials including wood, stone or brick that come in earth-tone colors such as gray, brown, white and blue. However, just because your fireplace wall may feature earth tones, doesn't mean you can't play with color in the rest of the room. Create striking contrast by pairing the natural tones with a bold, bright shade on the other walls. Pair a stone fireplace wall in shades of tan and beige with vibrant apple-green walls, or surround a red brick fireplace wall with elegant olive-green walls. With a wooden wall fireplace, you have even more flexibility since the wood tones serve almost as a neutral shade. Try brick red, terra-cotta or lemon yellow to create a cozy, inviting look for the room. If you prefer a calm, soothing look, go with a rich royal blue or purple color for the rest of the walls.
Incorporate Greenery
Since your fireplace goes floor to ceiling, surround it with other elements that add height to the room to prevent empty spaces on the wall. You probably don't want to place furniture or other large items in front of the fireplace, so greenery is an ideal alternative. Potted trees provide just enough height to balance to the dramatic look of a wall fireplace, and the greenery complements the natural materials commonly used for a fireplace surround. Citrus trees are a fun option since they produce colorful fruit. Try a pair of lemon or lime trees on either side of the fireplace – provided there are windows nearby to provide plenty of sunlight.
Add Accessories
While a wall fireplace makes a natural focal point for a room, you can draw more attention to it by decorating with the right accessories. The mantel is an ideal spot to display items, including family photos, vases or candlesticks. However, don't stop with the mantel -- maintain interest across the entire wall by staggering accessories. Around the hearth, add a decorative container to hold firewood; a wooden box works well, but you may use a copper or brass pot to warm up the room's look. If you have an oversize vase, place that around the hearth as well. On the wall above the mantel, a decorative mirror or framed artwork works well. For a natural look, consider a wreath of dried flowers to provide rustic charm.
References
Writer Bio
Based in New York City, Jennifer Blair has been covering all things home and garden since 2001. Her writing has appeared on BobVila.com, World Lifestyle, and House Logic. Blair holds a Bachelor of Arts in Writing Seminars from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
How to Decorate a Full Wall Fireplace
Source: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/decorate-around-big-wall-fireplaces-52361.html