Decorating a room with a built-in fireplace can be a bit of a challenge. Since the fireplace is already there, you have to decorate around it. Often you have no choice in what the fireplace is made of and its material may not be suitable for the type of furniture you own or the style that you would prefer. When you purchase an electric fireplace, however, you can personally decide what type of fireplace you want, where you want to install it, and how you want the fireplace to look. Below are some ideas you can use to help achieve the decorating style you desire.
Measure the room where you want to install an electric fireplace. Multiply the length of the room by its width. This will give you the square footage of the room. Since electric fireplaces are designed to heat up to a certain square footage, you can use this number to select a fireplace that is big enough to heat the entire room.
Determine where you want to place the electric fireplace in the room. Choose a wall or corner that is in close proximity to your main seating area. You may also wish to select a location that is in close proximity to an electrical outlet. This can help you to avoid the cost of running electrical wiring to the area where you wish to install the electric fireplace.
Select the type of electric fireplace that you want for the room. There are many different types and models of electric fireplaces to choose from. Some models can be hung on walls or are designed to look like actual fireplace mantels. There are even types of electric fireplaces that are designed to fit snugly into the corner of a room.
Install the electric fireplace by following the manufacturer’s directions included in the packaging. Most electric fireplaces are shipped from the warehouse in one or more boxes. The electric fireplace is then typically put together and assembled by you, the buyer, once it arrives at its destination.
Decide what the focal point is for the room. Once the electric fireplace is installed, you will probably find that you need to rearrange your furniture. If the electric fireplace was installed to primarily provide heat, you may decide that you prefer the television or another piece of furniture to be the center of attraction in the room.
Arrange the furniture to face the new focal point in the room. Keep in mind that you should still be able to see the fireplace from the main seating area, as you want the fireplace to add ambiance and warmth to the room even if it is not meant to be the focal point.
Decorate the area around the electric fireplace. Incorporate items into your decorating scheme that you would actually see near a fireplace, such as a poker or basket of wood. If the fireplace has a mantel, place candles, a clock, or other items that will give your electric fireplace an authentic look.
– Lindsey Ratcliff writes for several design blogs. She suggests going to http://www.fireplacespot.com to find great looking, functional fireplaces.
