A fireplace in the bedroom adds a warm focal point to the room's design.
A fireplace in a bedroom adds more than just physical warmth to a room; it brings feelings of comfort and coziness on an emotional level as well. Because the fireplace plays such an important role in the overall design of the room, you'll want to pay particular attention to finding the right height for the fireplace. This helps you make the most of the space.
Ideal Dimensions
According to interior designer Mary Sorensen in "Timber Home Living," the average height of a fireplace's hearth is 16 to 18 inches from the finished floor. However, in the bedroom, she suggests that the hearth should stand 18 to 24 inches from the floor. This gives you a better view of the fireplace when you're sitting on the bed. Additionally, Sorenson also recommends that you place furniture items at least 3 feet from the front of the fireplace to provide you with enough walk space.
Focal Point
A fireplace establishes a natural focal point because of its size and location in a room, which is often the center. Make the most of this focal point by painting the bricks of the fireplace a vibrant color and the walls around the fireplace a more muted, contrasting color, such as a red/butter yellow combination. Hang a mirror above the mantel as well as sconces to decorate.
The typical fireplace mantel stands 5 or 6 feet from the floor, but bed heights vary. Make sure that you can easily see your decorative items from your bed.
Building Blocks
If you're having a fireplace built, remember that the building materials you choose have an impact on the proportions of the room. A fireplace made from large river stone takes up more room than an in-wall unit. While the dimensions of the fireplace may still fit the ideal height of the fireplace, the materials may make it look bigger or smaller than it actually is, so choose materials that match your furniture or choose furniture that the fireplace won't overpower. For example, if you know that you'll decorate with log furniture, choose large stones for your fireplace's construction materials.
Other Considerations
You may not want to burn your fireplace year round, which means you can use the space for more decorative purposes. If you decorate the hearth and the mouth of the fireplace with items such as candles, vases, sculptures, baskets and other accessories, make sure you select items that are tall enough for you to really see them from the bed. Although you may have chosen the right height for your hearth, an arrangement of smaller items, such as candles, may get lost from a visual standpoint if at least some of the candles do not fit the proportions of the fireplace. Use candelabras or choose some tall sculptures to stand in the back of the arrangement to work with the height of the fireplace.
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