Fireplaces have been in use for thousands of years, from the simple hearth to the modern gas log models. Much like everything else, there tend to be trends and practices that rise and fall. In 2023, this circle still continues and it pays to know what to look out for so that you can make an informed decision when shopping for fireplaces.
Now, you don’t necessarily need to follow these trends when looking for a fireplace supplier in Melbourne. You can stick to your own vision of what your fireplace is going to look like. However, these types of phenomena do happen for a reason.
It could be something as simple as joining the bandwagon. On the other hand, it could also be due to genuine concerns like green initiatives. At the end of the day, however, it’s up to you if you put stock to trends or you go your own way.
You could also decide to take what you learn from these trends and make something truly special.
Oodles of Wallpapers
It has become conventional knowledge that paper and fireplaces don’t mix. However, thanks to advancements in heat management technology that is present in most modern homes and buildings, this is no longer that big of a problem. This is why wallpapers can now be used to surround fireplaces to give them that extra depth or impact in terms of aesthetics.
They don’t need to be confined to wallpaper, either. Various types of artwork that would have been flammable or prone to damage due to excess heat can be used, as well. This provides you with a lot more flexibility in terms of personalization or having unique methods of expressing individuality. A gas log fireplace can usually do that by itself, but to each their own.
It’s worth noting that the cooling methods involved with managing the heat that fireplaces give off also offer other possibilities. Antique furniture are less at risk of incurring damage, for example, especially if they are covered in materials that can easily catch fire.
Long and Straight
For decades, fireplaces were nothing more than a means of keeping the home warm and comfortable. There’s nothing wrong with this, of course, but changes in perspective inevitably came about. As such, fireplaces are now considered as crucial parts of interior decoration and the latest trend is focusing on long and straight lines.
The idea is to give off that sense of tranquillity where the presence of the fireplace does not clash with the serenity of the home. Thanks to the recent pandemic where people were forced to stay at home, motivation for keeping people relaxed at home is high. Linear designs are becoming quite popular as a result of this desire.
How this is achieved would typically depend on the interior designer responsible for the project, as well as the fireplace supplier in Melbourne that you choose. As long as they can make the resident feel grounded and calm while spending long periods of time inside, then that’s a job well done.
Practical Space Usage
These days, especially in bigger cities, space can be a premium. As such, it’s not that strange to find fireplaces sharing spaces with other things that also require their own spots. TVs, ovens, wall hangers, and so many more are placed on top, beside, or around the fireplaces that they are bunking with.
A lot of this has to do with the aforementioned new methods of keeping walls cool to the touch. This would not have been possible a few decades ago where insulation was a much more problematic issue. These days, there is a lot of emphasis on efficiency, safety, and reliability. With that said, there are still some exceptions as to what can be placed near fireplaces such as aquariums.
This also does not provide homeowners with the excuse to drop clutter all over the place. This is still a fireplace that we are talking about with actual fire. The point is the smart use of space, not to create a fire hazard.
Integration and Synergy
In the 70s and 80s, trends typically involved explosive colours that almost bordered on being eyesores. Now, the reverse has become more popular with synergy being a major selling point for a lot of designs. Homeowners or owners of modern buildings don’t like things sticking out like a sore thumb anymore. Instead, they want everything to look like they are one and the same.
A frameless gas log fireplace has become integral to this due to the simple fact that they typically draw attention. Aside from that, synergy is also achieved through complementing colours, textures, designs, angles, dimensions, and so on. The goal is to achieve the same functionality as regular fireplace installations without necessarily being overtly eye-catching.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that this concept can be taken too far. Being minimalist does not mean neutering a home of any personality. It’s about the design of your home saying a lot more without bombarding visitors or residents with too much visual stimulation.
See-Through
There’s something to be said about being able to see the other side of something that typically blocks your view. Transparent glass displays that contain artificial fire along with aesthetically pleasing man made logs are becoming more common as a result of this. The best part of this type of setup is that the heat distribution has fewer limits.
Now, a double-sided fireplace also offers some functional properties other than the obvious. It’s a good way of offering divisions for open floors while having unique qualities that are not too common, even now. This might not be the case for long, however, as interior designers are quickly becoming enamoured with this approach.
Conclusion
Those are the fireplace trends for 2023 that are worth looking into when checking out a fireplace supplier in Melbourne. They are not new concepts since minimalist designs, gentler colours, and practical use of space has been around for a while. They just haven’t really focused a lot on fireplaces as the main centrepiece.
Contact us at The Gas Log Fire Company, your most trusted gas log fireplace installation service provider in Melbourne.