Put your hand up if you’re like me and consider September to be a fresh start. It’s a blank slate equal to a new year and it always gets me excited. I love to start a new project at this time of year because it feels like there’s time to accomplish some of our goals after the hectic pace of summer. 

The other thing I love about September is the warm days with the cooler nights. We’re still able to enjoy the lovely sunshine but there’s no doubt that the cooler weather is on its way. And with that cooler weather comes a renewed interest in nesting indoors. This is the perfect time to consider updating your fireplace since you still have time to make it happen before the cold weather arrives.

I’ve been seeing a lot of really interesting things happening in the world of fireplaces but always remember that a fireplace should be a timeless statement in your home. Try to avoid anything overly trendy that will date your home quickly. If you love it it will never go out of style but don’t do anything because it’s popular. 

What’s New In Fireplace Materials

1/ Rustic Stone

If you love a rustic home that feels grand you’ll enjoy this one. Think large fieldstone with the look of old world cobblestone. This looks great for anyone with a traditional or transitional style home. It’s meant to make a big statement and looks great when it extends from floor to ceiling.

This works really well in a traditional or transitional space but surprisingly, it looks great in a modern home because it creates a focal point, adds texture to your space and gives a modern home an element of surprise. 

2/ Smooth & Sleek  

I’m not surprised to see this one trending because it works so well in a modern farmhouse style home. This is a minimalist look that relies on the smooth texture of either plaster, concrete or a natural stone like marble. There’s no ornamentation and can have either a simple wood mantel or no mantel at all.

This can be a great idea for someone who has a fireplace mantel that they hate. Plaster can be used to cover dated rock or stone and give you a brand new look for a fraction of the price of expensive stone.

3/ Steel and Iron

If you live in a space that feels like an extension of the outside, this is a great look. These natural materials work really well and are often used in resort homes and cabins because they blend with natural elements so well. 

While it may seem very modern, it’s easy to warm this up with a chunky wood mantel and oversized hearth. If there’s wall space available at the side of the fireplace a stone wall would be the perfect complement to this material.

4/ Natural Stone

There’s nothing new about using natural stone and we’ve been seeing a lot of marble in the last decade. What I am seeing that looks new is the use of more limestone. This aligns with the trend of rustic stone and moves us away from some of the really sleek, polished stone we’ve been using recently. 

A limestone mantel creates an old world feeling that can be enhanced or modernized depending on your needs. I love that this homeowner painted the surround the same colour as the limestone to create a cohesiveness that feels calm and sophisticated. 

5/ German Schmear 

This is essentially the heavy application of grout or overgrout as it’s known. This gives a very Scandinavian feel to a space and is perfect for ugly brick fireplaces that require an easy facelift. 

This look is achieved by adding a thick coat of grout wash to the grout lines and then pulling the excess grout across the brick. This gives a whitewashed appearance that feels rustic and modern at the same time. 

What’s New In Fireplace Shape

1/ Frameless Fireplace

If you love sleek and linear then you’ll want to consider this style. This looks really great in an open concept home where you need some statement architecture to ground the space. The inserts are available in various lengths to accommodate different size rooms. You can customize with different coloured rock base and flame style. 

This style looks best when it’s paired with sleek and simple materials for the mantel as well as dramatic coloured stone like black or chocolate brown. You don’t want anything too busy next to this or it could become overpowered and lost in the mix.

2/ Multi Sided Fireplace

While these aren’t new (hello 60’s and 70’s homes) they are very popular. The reason is simple - they help to break up and divide spaces, making each room feel cosier. There’s also a see-through element which feels lighter and airier than if you just built a wall in the space. These are essentially glass boxes that will allow you to see the fire from various vantage points in your home.

3/ Extra Wide Fireplace

Traditional fireplaces all have a scale and size that fits into the available wall space, leaving room on either side for built-ins or furniture. Currently we’re seeing fireplaces that extend much wider and cover a significant amount of space across the wall. 

This looks great if you love the look of a long, linear tile like fieldstone and river rock. If you love this look you can consider adding a long, wide hearth to really finish off the rustic look.

4/ Fluted Fireplace

It was only a matter of time before the popularity of fluted millwork made its way to our fireplaces. You may have seen this detail in cabinetry either in kitchens and bathrooms as that’s been trending for the last few years. 

This gives a lot of texture and interest to your fireplace and works really well in homes that need some oomph in the space.

5/ Curved Fireplace

This is another trend that has made its way from furniture and millwork into fireplace design. If you love a more organic shape you’ll appreciate the beauty of this trend. This room really suits the curved angles and adds a ton of interest as you enter the space. It’s also being used in a much less dramatic curve on a flat wall surface. Just a slight hint of rounded edges can add a lot of personality to a space that feels too much like a box.

Avoid this shape if you have a more traditional space as it’s best suited to either contemporary or transitional spaces.

6/ Full Height Fireplace

This is one thing that almost all of the trends I’ve mentioned have in common. Currently we’re seeing fireplace mantels extend from floor to ceiling for a real impact. This helps to enhance the height of your room and makes a big statement. 

So which is your favourite fireplace style? Leave me a comment and let me know. If you’re considering updating your current fireplace or adding a brand new one to your space but need help, reach out. I can help you design the shape as well as source the materials and bring my team to help with installation.

Warm regards,

Adrienne