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Shifting Focus away from the Fireplace

AlyssaDavis | Mar 10, 2011 |

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A fireplace is an attention-getting accent in a room and is a natural focal point. However, during warm weather months, you may wish to draw focus away from the fireplace; when you aren’t using a fireplace because the weather is warm, the fireplace looks dark, cold and cavernous rather than the warm and welcoming as it does in fall and winter. There are several methods you can employ to take focus away from the fireplace until cooler weather returns.

Using Furniture

Typically, when you want to accentuate a fireplace, you turn couches and chairs toward the fireplace so that all the focus in the room is drawn to the fireplace. In warm weather, take the opposite tack. Turn the furniture away from the fireplace and toward another focal point, such as a beautiful artwork, an entertainment unit, or picture window. If possible, arrange the furniture so that it blocks the view of the fireplace.

You can make a beautiful piece of furniture or a striking antique the focus of the room by facing seating toward it and using bright accent colors to draw attention to the new focal point. For example, bright throw pillows can make a couch more noticeable or a brightly colored table runner can draw attention to a credenza, library table or console. Using a bright colored accent in this way is especially effective if the rest of the room is in neutral or muted tones.

Obstruct the View

A very easy and effective way to take the focus off the fireplace is to obstruct the view of the firebox with a decorative screen or grate. Beautiful painted screens can be found in every color, style and theme, from Asian cherry blossoms to primitive colonial seascapes.

You can also fill the firebox area with seasonal decor that makes it look vibrant and alive rather than cold and empty. Large green houseplants, such as Boston fern or philodendron fill the empty space and divert attention from the firebox. While flowering plants are beautiful, using them may have the opposite effect of drawing more attention to the firebox.

Decorative and Lighting Tricks

Decorating the mantle with a beautiful floral display, scented candles and a striking painting, abstract metal art or vibrant decor, like a sun metal sculpture, can be hung above the mantle; this keeps the fireplace in focus, but shifts attention from its fire burning function to decor. This is especially effective if combined with a grate or beautiful fireplace screen. Changing the decor of the mantle to make it more in step with the warm weather season is effective as well.

Lighting can also be used to shift focus. Keep sconces around the fireplace turned off and turn on other lamps in the room. A spotlight on a favorite artwork is another effective means for directing attention elsewhere. If the room offers a spectacular outdoor view, make this the center of attention during daylight hours by keeping window treatments open and allowing the room to be bathed in natural light.