Your fireplace is often the first thing people will notice when they walk into your living room… or at least it should be. If you feel like your fireplace looks blah instead of beautiful, redecorating it can make a world of difference. If you’re wondering, “How should I decorate my fireplace?” we’ve put together a guide to leave you feeling inspired.
If you’re interested in giving your fireplace a whole new look, our experts here at NorthStar Stone can bring your ideas to life. To request a free estimate, please call us at 224-880-6000 or contact us online.
Is Stone Veneer Good for a Fireplace?
One option for redecorating your fireplace is to add stone veneer around it or on the hearth. This is a permanent decorating idea that can give your whole living room a refreshed look. Find out if it’s the right choice for your home below.
What Is Stone Veneer?
Stone veneer, which is also known as stone siding or stone cladding, is a thin layer of stone or stone-like material that attaches to a structure like a fireplace. These pieces are thinly cut from real stone, so your fireplace has all the look of a natural stone structure without the weight.
Different Types of Stone Veneer
There are three main types of stone veneer that you can choose for your fireplace. Let’s take a closer look at each one so you can choose the right stone for your fireplace.
- Faux stone veneer: This man-made material is made to look like real stone, using a combination of cement, pigment, and natural minerals. It looks nearly identical to real stone, making it a popular option with homeowners.
- Natural thin stone veneer: This option is cut from real stone in one-inch depths. It can be shaped if you’d prefer a more polished look, or left as is for a more rustic style.
- Full bed veneer: This is made just like natural thin stone veneer, but it’s cut into thicker depths. This option is usually between three and five inches thick.
What Is the Best Stone for a Fireplace?
Our experts here at NorthStar Stone believe that stone veneer is one of the best options for your fireplace when you want to create a beautiful design for the right price.
What Are the Benefits of Stone Veneer?
As you decide whether stone veneer is the right choice for your fireplace, consider some of the benefits of this popular material.
It’s a Cost-Effective Option
Compared to building a fireplace out of actual stone, stone veneer is a much more budget-friendly option. Actual stone is not only more expensive than stone veneer, but it’s also more expensive to ship, which can further increase project costs. When you want the look of an actual stone fireplace for a wallet-friendly price, stone veneer is your best bet.
It’s a Beautiful Design Option
When you want to make a statement with your interior design, adding stone veneer to the facade of your fireplace is a great way to do it. Stone veneer comes in a wide variety of textures, stone types, dimensions, and colors, so you can create a fireplace that’s unique to your personal aesthetic.
It’s a Durable Material
When you use stone veneer for your fireplace, you can feel confident that it will last. Since it’s made from a hard and strong material, stone veneer is durable and fire-resistant, so it will look great for decades. As long as it’s installed by a professional like our experts here at NorthStar Stone, you won’t have to worry about it breaking or falling apart.
It’s a Low-Maintenance Option
Are you worried about how hard it will be to keep your stone veneer fireplace clean? Don’t be! You don’t have to use any special cleaning products for it to look great. You can use a wet cloth or sponge to gently wipe down the stone. For stubborn stains, use water, a mild detergent, and a gentle brush to scrub them away.
It’s Easy to Install
Real stone can’t be applied to just any material, but it’s possible to install stone veneer on almost any surface in your home. For example, we can install stone veneer directly on top of old brick to cover your fireplace and give it a completely new look.
It’s a Lightweight Material
Since stone veneer isn’t bulky like real stone, you can easily add it to existing fireplaces without worrying about the structure. Being lightweight also makes it easier to handle and transport stone veneer, so your project can be completed faster than if you used actual stone.
What Color Stone Is Best for a Fireplace?
Once you decide to use stone veneer to decorate your fireplace makeover, the next important decision you’ll need to make is which color to choose for the design.
Popular Stone Veneer Colors
Most homeowners choose neutral colors for their fireplace design, which helps to create a timeless piece that will look great for decades. Some of the most popular fireplace stone colors currently include the following:
- Gray: A gray shade of stone veneer pairs well with most neutral colors, as well as some brighter hues. This makes it a good choice for nearly any home design.
- Light taupe: This sandy color works well with warm home decor and other earth tones. It also complements pastels.
- Ivory: If you want to create a light, bright, and airy vibe in your home, you can’t go wrong with ivory stone veneer. It pairs well with almost any color and design scheme.
Tips for Choosing the Best Color for Your Fireplace
Here are a few tips to help guide you when choosing a stone veneer color:
- Remember that since stone is a natural material, it will contain many colors in itself instead of just one flat color
- Decide whether you want to create a cool or warm space with your color palette
- Warm colors, like browns and reds, help create a smaller, cozy feeling
- Cool colors, like blues and greens, help create a more spacious and formal vibe
- Bring a stone veneer sample to your home to see what a particular color looks like with your paint and flooring
How Should I Decorate My Fireplace?
Once you’ve chosen the perfect stone veneer for your fireplace, you can start to think about how to decorate it. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas to help you feel inspired.
Create Depth By Layering
An important part of decorating your fireplace is displaying items on the mantel. Instead of lining your decor up in a row, create a more layered look by placing some items slightly in front of others. This will add more depth and dimension so your mantel looks more interesting.
Change Your Decor With the Seasons
How you want your fireplace to look will likely change with the seasons. Embrace the holidays whether big or small by changing out your decor seasonally for a fresh look all year long.
Add Candles to the Mantel
Try adding candlesticks of varying heights on either side of your mantel. This will help draw the eye up and create a more interesting dynamic around your fireplace.
Incorporate Greenery
The natural look of stone veneer pairs well with other natural elements like plants. Add some leafy houseplants on either side of your fireplace or put small plants on your mantel.
Hang Something Over It
Make a statement by adding a piece of artwork, a large clock, or a mirror over your fireplace. Just be sure to take the time to measure properly so you don’t select something too large that overwhelms the room or too small that looks out of place.
If you’re a fan of movies or you want to watch the big game in your living room, you’ll be happy to know that you can also hang a television above a stone fireplace.
How Can I Make My Fireplace Look Nice?
If you’re looking for even more ideas beyond just decorations, we’ve got you covered!
Create Storage
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, consider adding a built-in storage space to hold your extra wood in a way that looks chic. This will help keep your fireplace area neat and tidy, while also giving you convenient access when needed.
Add a Shelf
Few things are more enjoyable in life than curling up with a good book in front of a cozy fire. Add a bookshelf to one side of your fireplace so you have a place to display all your favorite novels.
Create an Accent Wall Around Your Fireplace
If you want to draw even more attention to your fireplace, create an accent wall around it by using a paint color that contrasts with your fireplace. The result will be an eye-catching design that everyone will notice.
Create the Fireplace of Your Dreams
After reading through this guide, we hope you have a better understanding of how to answer the question, “How should I decorate my fireplace?” and that you’re feeling inspired. If you decide to want to create a stone veneer fireplace, our experts are here to help. Call us at 224-880-6000 or contact us online to request a free estimate today!
