Best Surfaces for Fireplaces, Bars, and Other Decorative Areas
Certain spaces in your house really make it a home. They’re spaces where people gather to celebrate, spend time with friends, and relax at the end of a busy work day. These are places that a lot of thought has been put into, which is why they’re both cozy and aesthetically pleasing. As you can imagine, we’re talking about fireplaces and bars. What makes these places the focal points in your home, and how can you go about remodeling the one you have?
In this guide, we’ll cover the different materials that you can use for your fireplace, how you can go about designing the mantlepiece, the lighting, and much more. Then, we’ll cover the tips and tricks about creating a bar area that you love and the materials you may want to incorporate.
After reading this article, you’ll have crucial knowledge about the different aspects that go into designing these spaces, and you’ll be able to convey your ideas to your designer or architect effortlessly. Let’s get into it.
Fireplace Design Principles
This prominent architectural element has been the center of the home for centuries. In the past, when central heating and electricity hadn't been invented, the fireplace was designed as a heating medium built out of masonry and was located in the central area of a room. Nowadays, fireplaces in a lot of homes are mostly for aesthetic purposes and are used occasionally.
When it comes to fireplaces, there are generally two basic models. The first one is the free-standing unit, the prefabricated fireplace that’s easy to install and is a complete unit on its own. The second one is the fireplace you build from scratch, which incorporates several different materials and mechanisms.
All fireplaces have two essential components: the firebox, which is where the fire is lit, and the chimney, which exhausts the smoke and combustion gases. The firebox and the outer hearth are generally places that can be made out of different materials in order to make the fireplace work with the other elements and materials in your living room.
The mantlepiece is also an element of the fireplace that has both a structural function and an aesthetic purpose. On the one hand, it serves as a hood that diverts the smoke back into the chimney and prevents it from entering the room. On the other hand, it’s an element used to showcase decorations and display intricate objects.
Lighting is also important when it comes to the fireplace, especially if you use the mantlepiece to display objects. You can include ambient lights above the mantelpiece, use accent lights, or downlights.
Mock Fireplaces
Before we dive into the different materials you can use to make your fireplace unique, we need to mention mock fireplaces. This type of fireplace is designed to look like a real fireplace but doesn’t house a real fire. This completely decorative element has the same visual aesthetics but is much more affordable.
Just keep in mind that not all electric fireplaces give off heat, and some are just used for aesthetic purposes, so make sure that you check the performance of the fireplace before you buy it.
However, if you’re more interested in the real deal, keep reading to learn more about the materials you can use for your fireplace.
Best Surfaces for Fireplaces
Now that you know about the essential elements of a fireplace, it’s time to talk about the materials you may want to go for.
Marble
One of the first materials that people think about when designing a contemporary fireplace is marble. Incorporating marble in your fireplace gives it a timeless look that fits into most homes. These types of fireplaces are heat-resistant and easy to clean while also making your living room feel unique and homey.
Wood
Even though wood isn’t the first material that you think of when planning a fireplace, if properly built, a wooden fireplace isn’t off-limits. Wood is a material that makes a fireplace extremely cozy and can be stained based on your preference. If you do decide on a wood fireplace, make sure that the design adheres to the codes and regulations for the area you live in so that the fireplace is safe.
Granite
Next on the list is granite, which is a material that works great as a kitchen countertop but also as a great material for a fireplace. It is both heat-resistant and extremely durable and doesn’t scratch, stain, or chip. Since there are a lot of different granite types, you can choose the one that works best in your living room from an aesthetic standpoint.
Brick
This is probably the first material that people think of when they think of fireplaces. This beautiful material can fit into various styles, such as rustic, bohemian, farmhouse, and even modern homes, if done well. Not only is brick heat-resistant, but it can also be used as-is, painted, or stained, and it gives you a lot of options when designing. You can even combine them with some wooden elements.
Steel
Steel fireplaces are modern, durable, and heat-resistant, and if designed properly, steel makes a great material to use for a fireplace. If you go for a steel fireplace, you’ll definitely end up with a statement fireplace that adds visual interest to your room.
Tile
When people think of tiles, they often think of bathroom and kitchen surfaces, but tiles are also a great material to use for your fireplace. Ceramic tiles, for example, are heat-resistant and durable but also come in many different designs and patterns that can either blend in with the rest of your room or bring more attention to the fireplace.
Natural Stone
If you’re after a classic fireplace design that goes back to the days when fireplaces were the focal point of the home, choose a fireplace made of natural stone. This fireplace material comes in many different patterns and colors, so you can mix and match them to create your unique fireplace.
Some of the most common options for stone fireplaces include stucco, limestone, slate, ledgestone, fieldstone, and so on. They provide long-lasting warmth and are low-maintenance materials.
Metal
Believe it or not, metal fireplaces are also some of the old-school fireplaces, so you can choose this material if you want to create something that reminds you of a different era. You can also combine metal with wood planks to make a fireplace that’s eclectic.
Plaster
While plaster isn’t a material that pops into your head when you think about fireplaces, this material was quite popular in the American Southwest. The plaster fireplace was placed mostly in dining rooms and is quite similar to textured drywall. The hearth of this type of fireplace doesn’t protrude and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Concrete
Finally, we have concrete fireplaces that are a symbol of elegance and durability. They hardly require any maintenance and are one of the sturdiest fireplaces that you can build. Since concrete is a material that holds heat, it’s perfect for keeping the home warm, even after you put out the fire.
Bar Design Principles
Having an area in your home where you can enjoy drinks and make good memories with friends and family sounds ideal, and that’s where having a bar at home comes into the picture. You can incorporate it in your kitchen or living room and make it a separate area in the basement, garage, or spare room.
The possibilities are literally endless. But what are the things you need to keep in before you start thinking about materials and bar top surfaces?
The very first thing you’ll need to think about before designing a bar is whether you want to have a wet bar or a dry bar. The former will be an area that’s intended just for storing and making drinks, while the latter has a sink that’s connected to the plumbing, which is useful for rinsing or emptying glasses.
Next, you’ll need to decide where to place your bar, and this will generally depend on the layout of your home. You can integrate it with a kitchen, make it an addition to the living room, or transform it into an at-home bar in a separate room and add bar stools, low chairs, and ambient lights. When designing the bar, make sure that you take the ceiling height, electrical outlets, and access to water lines into consideration.
After that, it’s finally time to discuss the different materials and elements you’d like to incorporate into your bar area, and we’ll talk more about choosing the right materials in a bit. Apart from the materials, you’ll also need to think about which appliances you want to include, such as refrigerators, wine refrigeration units, and so on.
Finally, you’ll need to think about whether your bar will be a DIY project, or you’ll consult with a designer or architect and hire a contractor.
Best Surfaces for Bars
When designing the bar in your home, the material you choose for it will be very important for the final look and how practical the whole bar area is. So, let’s review some of the materials that are mostly used as bar surfaces.
Wood
When we first think of bars, the material that comes to mind is wood. This material is classic and never goes out of style, and you can find it in a lot of different patterns and colors. You can stain it, repaint it, and if handled with care, this material can last for a long time.
The only downside to using wood for a bar surface is that it’s vulnerable to liquid damage, and it isn’t very suitable for use as a prep area. It’s also a material that’s prone to dents and scratches, so you’ll need to take good care of it. However, you can ensure that your bar keeps its shape and lasts for a long time if you seal it properly. If not, who doesn’t like a bar with some character?
Granite
Apart from being a great option for fireplaces, granite is also a common material used for bar surfaces. Due to being durable and sturdy, installing it as your bar countertop seems like a great idea since it isn’t very porous and likely to stain. Just remember that granite requires periodic sealing to maintain its quality.
Laminate
A more affordable option when it comes to bar countertops is laminate, which comes in a range of styles and colors. It can mimic other more high-end materials such as wood, stone, and others, and it’s also really easy to maintain and clean with a bit of mild soap and water. However, laminate isn’t a very sturdy material, and it can peel when exposed to moisture and is prone to scratching.
Quartz
Quartz is one of the best materials that you can use for your bar area. Since quartz is among the hardest materials on the Mohs hardness scale, this makes it a perfect option for a bar top that’s scratch- and crack-resistant.
Another benefit of using quartz as a bat top is that it’s not porous, so it won’t harbor mold, mildew, or bacteria. Quartz is also resistant to stains, it’s very easy to clean, and you don’t need to apply sealants to it. It’s available in a lot of different colors and patterns that fit all kinds of living room styles.
Slate
Slate is another great option for a bar top since it’s very durable and isn’t prone to cracks or chips. It’s also a material that is stain-resistant and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance for it to look as good as new. For this reason, it’s perfect for commercial as well as home bar tops.
Onyx
If you’re searching for a bar that’s a show-stopper and a statement piece in your home, onyx is the perfect option due to its translucent color that screams luxury. You can find it in beige, cream, yellow, and even red tones, which make it look even more luxurious. Onyx is a material that can endure a lot of impacts, but it’s rarer than other materials, so it’s more expensive.
And if you do include additional backlights to your bar made of onyx, the space will look even more amazing. This is because backlights intensify the veining and texture of the onyx, making the overall atmosphere more inviting. And trust us, everyone will talk about the design of your bar after you’ve hosted your first party.
Corian
Corian and other similar materials are perfect to use as bar tops since they’re very easy to clean and aren’t very susceptible to staining. While they’re more expensive than laminate, they’re much more affordable than natural stones. You can find them in a lot of different colors and styles, and you’ll definitely find a style that suits the rest of your room.
Final Thoughts
While we’ve covered a lot of different materials and given you ideas about how to go about when designing a fireplace, a bar, or other decorative areas, there are a lot more options that you can look into. When it comes to bars, you can choose to go with an unconventional option and make a bar top out of epoxy resin, glass, and zinc, or even go for reclaimed wood for an eco-friendly option.
In terms of fireplaces, you can go with the options we mentioned above, or think out of the box and add an open fireplace in the middle of the room, make a contemporary fireplace with heat tempered glass, or even a fireplace that doubles as a pizza oven. Work with your designer and contractor to figure out what’s the best idea based on your space and your taste, and we guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with the final outcome.