Brick Fireplace Design

Traditional Fireplace Design

Overview: Brick fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes and designs. Even if you don't want a traditional looking fireplace, you still may find that the look and feel of brick is right for you.

One of the great things about brick is that it can get old and beat up looking without losing its charm or it can have a more modern appearance. Many fireplace owners feel that a more rustic traditional look adds more to the charm rather than something that detracts from it.

On a new fireplace the bricks are all shiny and new to the point of gleaming. It may look nice but it doesn't look natural or traditional. After a few seasons of use the brick will break in and appear more rustic with a more traditional fireplace appearance. Then it will have that patina that adds warmth to the home even when there isn't a fire blazing in it.

A brick fireplace can be easy to maintain. Just keep it swept and occasionally run a damp cloth over the brick surface. You don't have to be concerned that the mortar will absorb some of the ash or that the brick may go from glossy to a flat appearance. If the bricks or mortar develop cracks it's easy to replace only those portions that have the cracks. This can save you the time and considerable expense of replacing an entire fireplace.

The traditional brick fireplace is wider than it is high and is usually surrounded by red brick. Red brick extends out the front as well to make a hearth. Different colors of brick are often used although most have some sort of red color to them. The bricks can also be subdued, more of a gray or brown color with just a hint of red. For a rosier effect, the bricks can tend toward the pink. For a darker effect use blue or black bricks in a random pattern.

Add some variation in the brick pattern by using different color bricks in a random pattern. The random pattern adds charm by creating a pattern in the grid work of the brick and gives the eyes something to settle on rather than presenting a vast expanse of the same color brick. This variation can be striking by mixing the different colors of brick. A few bluish-black bricks in the midst of a series of reds can really add variety and charm to the design.

Another design to consider is by presenting the bricks narrow edge (side) out in places. This can be done around the edge of the firebox or the hearth. You can accent the effect more if the top of the firebox is arched rather than straight across.

If you have a wood-burning stove you can still have the look of brick. Design a brick alcove to give an elegant frame to the wood stove while accommodating a chimney pipe as it rises up and turns through the wall to the flue. This will give the wood-burning stove the back drop of a fireplace.

A brick fireplace doesn't need a mantle although most homeowners prefer a mantle shelf to display pictures and candles. The mantel can be made from brick, wood, or bluestone. A bluestone mantel offers a lot of character in the overall design.

When considering the different brick fireplace design or back drop for a wood stove, let your imagination run free and use a variety of different color bricks to add a rustic appearance and charm to the room.

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