Using the Fireplace as a Focal Point
Using the fireplace as a focal point.
Layout of furniture in a room can be challenging, so we spend time working alongside our clients to maximise the potential of each room. A focal point can make this easier and a fireplace provides a very natural focal point. Not only does it provide welcome warmth but when lit it provides movement. The surround can be an excellent place to display objects and the space above it is perfect for a large mirror or beautiful painting. When dressing the mantelpiece decide what most suits the style of your room and either opt for symmetry with a pair of something like candlesticks on either side, or go for asymmetry and use groups of different things but don’t be tempted to overcrowd the surface; less is definitely more
If you want a more minimalist style in your home you can leave the mantel bare, particularly if you have a modern style log burner instead of an open fire. Natural materials like a wood mantel are intrinsically beautiful and these can be a feature in their own right.
If you don’t have a fireplace
You can make a focal point from other features like a window, or a piece of furniture or a painting. A room doesn’t need a fireplace to work around. The important thing is to decide what part the furniture plays in the room and what people will be doing in the space; sitting, eating, watching television, talking etc. Once you have worked this out and decided how many people need to occupy the space at any one time you can work on a plan. If you are using the space as a dining room there will be less need for a focal point as the table itself becomes the anchor in the room, but it still helps to have something more dominant on one wall that catches the eye as you walk in.
