The hearth is one of the more recognizable and important parts of your fireplace. It not only protects the floor from heat, it also sets the fireplace off from the rest of the room. Brick or stone hearths are common, as are ones made of concrete. However, you aren't limited to just the conventional styles. You can use fireplace tile to create a unique design that will draw the eye. Here's some information on how to do it.
Tiles for fireplaces come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. This type of tile is designed to withstand the heat of the fireplace. While it might be tempting to use ordinary tile, remember that there's no guarantee it won't crack from being close to the fire. Fortunately, there's plenty to choose from in the realm of fireplace tile. There are options that will go with anyone's decorating scheme.
First, decide what kind of look you want. You may not know exactly what kind of fireplace hearth you'd like, but you probably have an idea of the style you'd like. If you're still looking for ideas, consider checking home magazines, stores that sell fireplaces, or tile stores to spark your creativity. Draw out a sketch of some of your ideas, and go shopping a few times before you finally buy. That will let you know whether you can use marble or granite tile, or if ceramic is a better idea.
There are plenty of different materials you can choose from. All have their own distinctive properties. It's best to go with the natural look of the tile, rather than making it behave like something else. Natural stone looks its best when undyed, for instance, and provides an astonishing array of colors. You can find terracotta, stone, porcelain, stoneware, and even glass tiles for your fireplace hearth. Remember that you're not restricted to one kind, either. There's no reason you can't combine ceramic tiles with stone or glass accents.
Decide what size tiles you'd like to use. Smaller ones are better suited for intricate mosaic designs, but can get busy. Large tiles provide a smoother looking surface, but can be too much if you want to mix up colors or textures. There are lots of shapes and styles to choose from. If you get overwhelmed, take a break, then go back to the drawing board.
Plan out what size your hearth will be. There's no set size requirement, as long as the fireplace hearth looks good and protects the floor and objects near the fire. You can make it as big or small as you'd like. You can even create a hearth that's not all the same size, or which has asymmetrical elements. Remember that accent tiles or other add ins can really make your fireplace hearth design. You can find picture tiles, or ones made of different materials. While they'd be a bit much (and are usually too expensive) to use all over the hearth, they make great, eye catching accents.
Remember that you're limited only by your imagination when it comes to getting a great fireplace hearth design. Using tiles in different materials and colors to match your personal vision can give you a beautiful and unique hearth. Your design can be a conversation piece for a long time to come.
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