Using color in a fireplace tile design is an effective way of tying the fireplace to the rest of the space, or making the fireplace design stand out and be the focus of the room. Paying attention to the color while designing can go a long way to achieving the desired look.
Blending Color into the Home Design
When designing the fireplace, it’s important to keep in mind what else is already in place in the room. Wall color, fabrics, window treatments, wall art; all of these things should have a hand in helping to decide what colors are incorporated into the fireplace.
While the fireplace design does not have to include each and every color already in place in the room, it should at least compliment them. Try choosing two colors present in the room, one to be the main color of the fireplace, and one to be an accent. Using a color a shade or two lighter or darker than the wall color for the field tile, and then a bolder color picked up from fabrics, carpets or window treatments as the accent is an effective way of tying the fireplace design to the rest of the room.
For neutral spaces, consider using one color throughout the entire surround, with relief tiles as the design. Use a second color in a deeper shade for the hearth.
When tiling the fireplace hearth with two colors in the surround design, try using the accent color in a border that separates the hearth from the rest of the flooring. For the surround, the accent color can outline the firebox, or be part of the tile design as decorative tiles placed at intervals throughout the surround.
If the fireplace does not have a mantel, consider tiling the entire wall that the fireplace resides in. This is a wonderful way to helping the fireplace to be incorporated into its surroundings.
Using Color to Make the Fireplace the Focal Point
The fireplace is often the gathering place in the room for friends and families on cold winter days. So it makes sense to make the fireplace the focal point of the room’s design.
By taking colors already in the room, in order to keep the design fluid, and then bringing them up a few shades in saturation, it can help make the fireplace design stand out.
Try taking colors used in the room as accents, such as throw pillows, wall art, or a throw rug, and using them as the main colors in the fireplace design. Make the colors used in the surround slightly bolder than the colors used in the rest of the room, so that attention is naturally drawn to the design. Using multiple colors in this case can make for a bolder statement than simply using one.
Using glossy tiles or glass tiles can help to heighten the color and draw more attention to the space. Consider the way that light from the firebox will reflect or illuminate the colors in the surround or on the hearth, and choose colors to place next to the firebox accordingly.
If the kitchen can be seen from the fireplace, consider using colors in the counter or in the backsplash to help tie the spaces together. Don’t be afraid to use a bold color on the fireplace surround in a neutral room; a bold color can help liven the space while drawing attention to the fireplace design.
When shopping for fireplace tiles, bring paint chips, fabric swatches and photos of the space along with the fireplace measurements to help select the tiles and colors used. When designing the fireplace as part of the room as a whole, color choices flow seamlessly and help make the room a warmer place to be.
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