Buying a Custom Built Fireplace? Design Ideas to Consider

There are many reasons why someone would want a custom fireplace as opposed to one off the shelf so to speak. In many cases, a standard size fireplace will look out of place because a wall is so big. Or you just cannot find one that fits your style perfectly. In cases like this, a custom fireplace is the perfect solution. What ever your reason may be a custom fireplace will make your room your own, one that will not be like any other anywhere.

Stone veneer is not real stone. It is made of plaster in a factory to look like field stone and it is so well done that most people cannot tell the difference by looking at it. Genuine field stone is beautiful, but it has a could of drawbacks. First of all is the cost and second it is very heavy, limiting what you can do with it. The lighter veneer lends itself to indoor use also, which is not that easy with the real stone. Have you ever tried to attach real stone to a wall?

Stone veneer can make a small fireplace fit a large wall and a beautiful custom fireplace. Normal size fireplace mantels and surrounds are made to fit an average size wall, however, if you have a larger than normal wall, it can get lost. Take a look at how they did this fireplace using stone veneer. See how they carried the stone down the wall and made a seating area right in front of the fireplace. It makes the fireplace perfectly proportioned to the wall and the rest of the room.

Another way to make a fireplace fit a large wall is to simply have a custom built mantle and surround, but the one thing you cannot enlarge is the firebox. It has to fit the chimney and that is the way of it. So now you have a large space between the firebox and the mantel and surround. You need to make it look like part of the fireplace and that can be done using different materials. For instance, think how nice it will look with granite surrounding the firebox and meeting up with the fireplace and surround. It would add a touch of class and you can coordinate the color of the granite with the color scheme of the room.

One of the latest styles in fireplace is to eliminate the mantel and surround altogether and make a custom fireplace by surrounding your firebox with the material of your choice. Granite is a great choice for this type of custom fireplace as well. Decorative hand painted tiles are another choice Or combine the two and use the decorated tiles to frame the granite.

The only limitation you have when designing a custom fireplace is your imagination. A fireplace is the focal point of your room. It should draw your visitors attention to it like a visual magnet. When you design a custom fireplace, that is just what it will be.