As the first chill of winter starts to fill the air, there’s nothing more inviting than the cozy glow of a fireplace. While a fireplace is often the centerpiece of a home—providing warmth and comfort—sometimes it needs a little sprucing up to align with your current tastes and lifestyle. If you’ve contemplated a fireplace facelift, now is the perfect time to undertake this transformative project. Let’s explore how you can make your fireplace the winter wonderland focal point that elevates your home’s style and enhances its cozy factor for the chilliest season of the year.
PAINT OVER THE BRICKS
The colour palette you choose can set the tone for your entire room. Opt for warm hues like deep reds, browns, or rich cream to give your fireplace a cozy winter feel. Ensure you use high-heat-resistant paint for safety. Using a weekend to paint over the bricks can change the dynamic of the whole room.
ADD A NEW MANTEL
A new mantel can be a striking focal point in your living space. For winter, you might consider an organic wood mantel to bring in an extra sense of warmth and coziness, stone for a more rustic feel, or even a sleek metal mantel for a contemporary edge.
UPDATE AND RAISE THE HEARTH
Winter is the time when you’ll be using your fireplace the most. Consider raising the hearth and using thermal-resistant materials to better contain and distribute heat. Whether you use stone, tile, or brick, raising the hearth can make your fireplace more visually appealing and add extra seating space when not in use.
EXTEND THE CHIMNEY BREAST
In addition to aesthetic appeal, extending the chimney breast can add an extra layer of insulation to your room. This is particularly beneficial during the cold winter months. This is a more involved project that may require professional help but can dramatically change the architecture of your space for a more luxurious look.
LOWER THE MANTEL
If your mantel feels too high and disconnected from the rest of the room, consider lowering it to create a more cohesive and intimate setting. Lowering the mantel can also help distribute the heat evenly across the room, making it a functional and aesthetic adjustment suitable for winter.
REPLACE THE SURROUND
Updating the fireplace surround will have an immediate and dramatic effect on your fireplace and the room. Beautiful and functional, heat-resistant, tiles are a good compromise. However, stone can add rustic charm and retains heat well, slowly radiating it even after the fire has gone out—a functional and aesthetic choice. For a more cozy atmosphere, a reclaimed wood wrap for the fireplace will make a lovely focal point for the wall where the fireplace resides. While it may not necessarily replace the stone, brick, or tile in direct contact with the fireplace, unless you have a zero clearance unit, it will make a wonderful and warming focal point.
INSTALL BUILT-IN SHELVES
Built-in shelves can house your favourite books for winter reading and additional firewood or even a hot cocoa station for those cold evenings.
ADD LIGHTING
Warm lighting around the fireplace can add that extra layer of coziness during winter. Consider installing dimmable lights to adjust the ambiance as needed.
INSTALL A TV MOUNT
Winter is the perfect time for snuggling up in front of the fireplace for a movie marathon. Mount a TV above your fireplace to create a cozy entertainment hub for those cold nights. Make sure the TV is high-heat-resistant and properly secured.
INSTALL A GAS FIREPLACE INSERT
A gas fireplace insert can offer precise temperature control, an essential feature during the colder months. Plus, they often come with the bonus of a visually appealing simulated fire.
DECORATE THE MANTEL SEASONALLY
No winter fireplace is complete without seasonal decorations. Consider adding pinecones, holiday ornaments, or even sprigs of holly to make your fireplace a visual delight during winter.
STAY WARM THIS WINTER WITH A NAPOLEON FIREPLACE
As winter draws near, there’s no better time to invest in transforming your fireplace into a functional and aesthetically pleasing centrepiece for your home. Whether wood, gas, or electric, your fireplace is where cherished winter memories are made, all while elevating the look and feel of your living space. Make this winter a season to remember with a Napoleon fireplace. Use our product finder to find the perfect fireplace for you!
To read the details please check out the Napoleon blog post here!