Winter is fast approaching and you might be thinking of a lovely fireplace among many other things. Be it a built-in or a free-standing model, be it wood burning or electric, a fireplace would definitely add to the comfort when you sit back and relax in a cold winter night.

When it comes to installing a fireplace in a room, you will have to consider both the aesthetic and the functional aspects. For looks, you should make sure it fits in the room and still marks its presence.

Make sure it looks traditional, contemporary or modern in line with the overall design and decoration of the room. And the fireplace surrounds should necessarily blend into the room. The materials used in the fireplace surrounds like limestone, cast iron, wood, stone, plaster, resin, marble, and brick serve different functions. While wood adds to the look, the others address safety issues. For instance, a heat producing fireplace cannot have combustible facing materials.

The working parts of the fireplace should not conflict with its design. That’s one thing you should keep in mind. Work out from these ideas to get that perfect fireplace working in your home.

What’s your favorite?