Fireplace Design Ideas -- Function, Form And Features
Are you looking for some innovative fireplace design ideas? Or are you trying to sort through all the available options, to choose a fireplace design that is best for you? Whatever your situation, you need to make a wise decision, as the purchase and installation of a fireplace is a significant expense. The first thing you need to consider when evaluating various fireplace design ideas is FUNCTION. What I mean by this is -- what use, or function, do you have in mind for your new fireplace? Don't make the assumption that an indoor fireplace is purely for decorative purposes -- for example, you might also be looking to add heat energy to your room, in order to lessen your reliance on furnace heating. For those folks who are looking at outdoor fireplace design ideas, there are additional possibilities. For example an outdoor fireplace can be used to provide warmth on a cool fall night, or it could be used as a center for outdoor barbecuing or other types of cooking -- and each of these different functions will influence what fireplace design ideas are desirable -- or even possible. In addition, outdoor fireplace design ideas should incorporate the use of materials that will not rust or corrode due to exposure to the elements. Once you have a handle on planned FUNCTION of your new fireplace, the next thing is to consider its FORM -- the shape and size of your fireplace -- because function determines form. Let me give you two examples: If you are looking for fireplace design ideas for an indoor fireplace, and you want to use it to help to keep a very large room warm (its FUNCTION), then you might choose to install a free-standing circular fireplace (its FORM), because this type of fireplace design permits the maximum amount of heat to be radiated into the room. On the other hand, suppose you were evaluating outdoor fireplace design ideas. Let's say you wanted to use your fireplace for barbecuing (its FUNCTION) -- what fireplace design (FORM) would be best? Well, one option would be a low-standing fireplace pit, constructed with stone-and-concrete walls of about 3 feet in height -- topped off with a large barbecue grill. On the other hand, if you wanted to use your outdoor fireplace for warming your back patio, you might choose instead a fireplace design for a freestanding cast-iron or aluminum model -- because as it heats up inside, the surfaces of the metal will grow hot and radiate the heat into the surrounding environment. Finally, your chosen a fireplace design ideas can take into account other FEATURES. For example, in an indoor fireplace you might want to have a decorative stone face applied on the outside surfaces, or you might want to choose a larger-than-normal fireplace mantel, if you want to show off your curio collection. For an outdoor fireplace, you might want to choose a fireplace design idea that allows you to adjust your fireplace cooking grill to various heights, or you may choose instead a fireplace design idea that allows you to keep your fireplace tools handy. There you have it -- a really handy guide: FUNCTION -- FORM -- FEATURES. If you follow it, you're sure to find the perfect fireplace design idea for you in no time! |
