While in real terms the trends which you see in interior design don’t begin and end with a particular year it is a good time of the year to look ahead and see what the upcoming trends are. Forget 2013; let’s look forward to the year ahead and the trends which will no doubt leave you stunned. But don’t just dream about it, make those magazine clippings a reality for your home by studying our guide to what will be hot for fireplaces in 2014.
Minimalism
Nothing new here, you might tell yourself but fireplaces are becoming more minimalistic. With a switch in the demand for solid fuel burning fireplaces to a simple gas fire which is easier to maintain and get started, the style of fire place will obviously inform how much it features in a room. That isn’t to say that a minimalist fireplace, with clean lines and more glass fronted designs can’t be a focal point for a room however.
The linear feature is popular across the board, using those clean lines to set the tone for the rest of the room. If you have white or light coloured walls then the sharp contrast with a dark fireplace gives the impression that the room itself is airy and clean. A hole in the wall fireplace will be cosy and creates more space as well for those who don’t want a cumbersome unit.
Positioning
Some people will still opt for the classic middle-of-the-wall, middle-of-the-living room look but some could say that’s middle-of-the-road. With advances in technology and design you can put a fireplace almost anywhere, which is why some people are now having them installed higher up in their walls, taking inspiration from flat screen televisions which are placed high and flat on the wall.
The room in which they are installed is also changing, a lot of people are now putting them into bedrooms and even bathrooms as a quirky feature and a unique way of heating a room in which they probably spend more time in that the living room; once again the hole in the wall fireplace is ideal if the rooms are small.
Outdoor fireplaces are also popular as people attempt to make the space just outside their patio doors more inviting; these are predominantly solid fuel fires as a stock of wood can be kept close by.
Materials
We’ve touched lightly on materials, with metal losing more ground the big glass fronting. Marble, unless already installed as a mantel, isn’t looking like it will make a huge comeback anytime soon.
Stone and slate however are cheap materials in comparison with a smooth look but a rough feel when you touch. It can be easily incorporated as it’s usually a very dark shade or a very light shade, so depending on your décor you can choose appropriately.
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These are some tips for the coming year, so remember that glass fronts and hole in the wall fittings are in, but remember also that you can have them virtually anywhere in your home now.
Author enviroflame.co.uk provide a range of stylish fireplaces throughout London.