What to Do With an Unloved Fireplace
Most people have at least one fireplace in their houses. Some of those fireplaces might get used during the colder months of the year, whereas others lay dormant for various reasons. Are you reading this article today because the latter applies to a fireplace in your home?
If so, you might be wondering what to do about it. The trouble is, it can sometimes be a challenge to find inspiration to do something with an unloved fireplace. With that in mind, here are some ideas to consider that will turn your fireplace into your room’s focal point:
Fix Your Log Burner
Did you know that some people don’t use their fireplaces because they have faulty log burners? If that’s the case with your fireplace, the first idea you should consider is having it fixed and bringing it back into service.
For instance, if the viewing window on your log burner got broken, buy a new sapphire window to replace it.
There are many uses of sapphire windows because it’s a much tougher material than ordinary glass. It won’t get scratched easily, it can withstand the high temperatures found in log burners and furnaces, and it’s a surprisingly affordable alternative to ordinary glass.
Create an Open Fireplace
If your log burner is beyond economical repair or just isn’t suitable for your needs, it might make more sense to remove it entirely and create an open fireplace instead. Many homes, especially those with a more rustic or luxurious feel, have open fireplaces.
Should you decide to create an open fireplace, make sure you invest in a suitable guard for your fireplace – especially if you have young children or pets. Also, consider adding tile or stone around your open fireplace to separate it from the carpet or flooring in your room.
Remove It
What happens if you have no intention of using your fireplace for its intended purpose? There isn’t much point in having one in such cases because all it does is take up space in your room that you could use for other purposes.
That’s why a better option might be to eradicate your fireplace and chimney breast. Some property purists may think that’s a bad idea. However, you only need to remove the visible section of the chimney breast in the room and seal up the ceiling section.
That way, should you change your mind in the future, or if new occupants in your house decide they want a fireplace, they can have one installed and reconnected to the rest of the existing chimney breast structure.
Repurpose It
One final idea to consider, especially if you can’t afford to remove your fireplace (or don’t want to do so), is to repurpose it. Some ideas of what you could use your former fireplace for include:
- Retile it and add a vase of flowers to help brighten up your room;
- If it’s in a living room, cram it with lots of vintage books to create a rustic look;
- Store some magazines inside of it;
- Add some scented candles to create an inviting glow.
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