21 Creative Chimney Breast Decorating Ideas
A chimney breast refers to a chimney section that protrudes outwards from the wall to create a fireplace. This structure is typically near the ground level, but masons can extend it upwards to your preferred level.
The chimney breast’s masonry design extends upwards and connects to a chimney stack that carries smoke outside. Chimney jambs protrude both sides of the chimney breast and help to provide structural support.
In this post, we covered the 21 Chimney Breast Decorating Ideas that you can try.
Contents
21 Chimney Breast Décorating Ideas to Try Out Today
Chimney breast decorating ideas can help spice up your fireplace and chimney breasts. Surprisingly you can quickly improve a chimney breast by making a few decorative changes.
Here are 21 chimney breast decoration ideas Uk for a chimney breast to convert into a beautiful indoor structure.
1. Mount a plasma TV on your lower chimney wall
Most chimney breasts are sturdy and well secured to the main wall meaning you can safely mount your TV on them.
This type of decoration is excellent for stack stone fireplaces as it creates a fusion of a retro and modern environment.
The stack stone chimney breast will provide a classy house look, while the mounted TV offers a technological allure for the fireplace.
As you try out this idea, kindly remember that you shouldn’t set up a TV on your chimney breast if its heating temperature is above 90 F. However, if your fireplace is purely ornamental, you can go right ahead and mount the TV.
Best Wall Mount for TV:
2. Get An Inset Electric Fireplace and Wood Finishing
If you don’t want to light a flame every time you need to use your fireplace, you can install an electric fireplace and cover the chimney breast with wooden finishing. Electric fireplaces provide you with fascinating flames and can also provide heat, depending on your preference.
An electric fireplace is among the most eco-friendly decorating ideas for chimney breast walls you can try out. It won’t generate any combustion gases that are detrimental to the environment. Also, you won’t have to stockpile wood or clean up soot.
Adding a wood finish provides a modern house theme that blends well with the electric fireplace. You can go further and add a fire simulation sound system that simulates flame sounds and provides an ambiance similar to a traditional fireplace.
Great Value Electric Fireplace:
3. Create a Halloween Chimney Breast Mantel
This Halloween-themed decoration involves adding a fireplace mantel with sisal, pumpkin, and lantern props. When you do it right, your chimney breast will have a Halloween-themed mantel and a spooky yet elegant appearance.
The lantern props should ideally be candle lanterns, and you can use up to six of them. One excellent way of displaying these lanterns is by arranging them at the top of the mantel and the hearth extension. Adding hooks and running a chain through them can help you hang lanterns and provide an authentic Halloween experience.
Decorative Candle Lanterns:
4. Mount potted plants
If you don’t utilize your fireplace for heating the house, you can safely mount potted plants on your chimney breast’s mantel or at the fireplace’s base. Ideally, you should for tall-growing tropical plants such as the bird of paradise, dragon tree, and European olive tree.
Tall growing plant decorations help decorate a significant section of the fireplace and are among the most natural chimney breast beautifications.
However, after mounting these potted plants, you need to ensure they get adequate water, nutritious soils, and sunlight; otherwise, they might wither away. Beautifully displayed plants can serve as a conversation starter when friends or guests visit your home.
Clean Air Potted Plants:
5. Use Thin Natural Stone
Natural thin stone is a decorative product created by cutting genuine stones into thin slices that you can stick on chimney breasts, stone sidings, and foundations.
These products are excellent for beautifying your chimney breast as they provide a natural yet appealing stone pattern. Real thin stone is available in different sizes, colors, and markings.
Some popular authentic thin stone patterns you can procure within the market include Alaska gray, Arctic golden Splitface, Aspen Ridge stacked Stone, Boston Blend Ledge, and Colonial Tan Ashlar. You can accessorize this decoration with glass candle holders to increase attention to detail.
Mortarless Concrete Stone:
6. Display Pretty Plates
Displaying your household’s best pieces of china is an age-old tradition that is still popular. Since you have plenty of space above your fireplace, you can display antique plates and mount them in a distinctive or random pattern. Once mounted, the dishes will shine and brighten your fireplace for many years.
However, you shouldn’t go overboard and cram the chimney breast with plates. A few unique pieces should suffice.
Nowadays, you can buy plate hangers online and use them to hang your china securely. Such hangers come with clear vinyl-coated hooks that secure the display without leaving scratches.
Country House Decorative Plate:
7. Group Cohesively Colored Accessories
Depending on your chimney breast’s base color, you can place several assorted art pieces and objects on its mantel and get stunning results. For instance, you can group a bust sculpture with similarly colored framed art.
Additionally, you can decide to hang the art pieces on the chimney breast and place the bust sculpture on the mantel. You can also set up a multi-mantel fireplace that allows you to display accessories in each compartment. However, the grouping design will ultimately depend on your preference.
Some of the color shades you can use when attempting such chimney breast ideas decorating include white, black, and beige.
Antique Stone Sculpture:
8. Attach A Mirror To The Chimney Breast
Attaching a mirror to a chimney breast helps to reflect the positive aspects of a room. According to Feng Shui, a traditional Chinese practice, placing a mirror over your fireplace provides a water element that cools the fire element and balances the room’s cosmic energy.
Apart from attaching a mirror above the fireplace, you can also place it on the mantel if your chimney breast has one. However, hanging a mirror above the mantel is better because it helps to reflect the objects on the mantel resulting in a better visual appeal.
One excellent example of a mirror you can attach above the fireplace is a Stone & Beam Vintage Octagonal Mirror.
Hanging Mirror:
9. Hang One Huge Portrait
Since your chimney breast is an old architectural structure, decorating it with an antique oil painting is a worthwhile idea. If your fireplace is already the room’s centerpiece, adding a vintage portrait solidifies it as a focal point.
Nowadays, you can find high-quality antique portraits for a few hundred dollars. Considering that you will own the art for many years to come, purchasing one is a worthy investment. When looking for such portraits, always look for paintings you love and those that speak to your inner being.
The art should also blend in nicely with the rest of the room, and it should also be unique and have a background story. This way, you can enjoy its presence every time you see it hanging on your chimney breast.
Antique Oil Painting:
10. Get a Stylish Paint Job
One of the simplest examples of how to decorate a chimney breast is by stylishly painting it. Some of the best colors you can paint on your chimney breast include pure white, ruby, black yellow, and Mediterranean blue color.
Regardless of the season, a well-painted fireplace will provide all-year-round joy to you and your visitors. Painting a chimney breast is an easy and cheap decorative option that modernizes your fireplace without forsaking the nostalgia of ancient times.
When painting your chimney breast, you can use several different colors for various parts of the fireplace. For instance, you can use pure white in the mantel and black for the chimney breast.
Interior Chalked Paint:
11. Add Bookshelves on Both Sides.
A Chimney breast protrudes outwards into the room, meaning there is under-utilization of space on either side of this structure that you can convert into bookshelves. Buying a self-standing book cabinet will only occupy more space and be costly.
By hiring a competent carpenter, you can set up bookshelves to hold all your books and magazines in one focal position.
This way, you can bring more order and enhance the room’s general appearance. You can also develop a good reading habit since your books will be in a central area where you can effortlessly access and read them.
Self-standing Book Shelf:
12. Light it Up with LED Light
Adding surface-mounted light-emitting diodes to your chimney breast can give a room a warm, brightening glow. You can find various LED light strips that have varying brightness (measured in lumens per meter).
The LED strips are widely popular among the young generation as they add drama and flair while also saving on energy consumption.
Also, the LED lights help draw attention to your mantel and chimney breast and make them your home’s centerpiece. Apart from LED strips, you can also opt for ball fairy string lights that you can dangle and light up the room.
LED Light Strips:
13. Expose the Chimney Bricks to Give off a Rustic Home Look
Stripping off the plaster covering your fireplace’s wall can expose the beautiful brickwork underneath. Most old chimney breaks contain brick sand stacked stone components covered with plaster, and depending on your home’s age, you may get varying results once you remove this layer and slightly polish the chimney breast.
You can also take an opposite approach by revealing the bricks around the fireplace’s wall and leaving the chimney neck plastered.
This procedure creates an ultramodern fireplace design and allows the bricks to dominate the modernly plastered chimney breast. However, it would be best to consult local municipal by-laws to know if you can strip plaster from your residence.
Plaster Scrapers:
14. Inset a Cooker and Set Up an Open Plan Family Kitchen
By knocking down the lower section of your chimney breast, you can comfortably add an oven to the fireplace, set up cabinets, and have an open-plan family kitchen.
Once the cooker is in place, you can add kitchen cabinets on either side of the chimney breast and set up a dining area a few feet away from the cooking station.
This design is among the top decorating ideas for chimney breast structures, and many modern contemporary families prefer having such an open-plan kitchen as it economizes on space. On top of setting up a dining table, you can also add a breakfast bar near the cooking area.
Kitchen Cabinet:
15. Convert it into a Private Office/ Area
You can quickly change a breast chimney into a work desk or private area such as a dressing table if it is located in a secluded place or upstairs.
With a few carpentry and masonry adjustments, you can have a fully functioning wardrobe, dressing table, or private office.
The hearth will provide enough space to fit a stool or small chair and allow you to work without disturbance or beautify yourself privately.
Office Chair:
16. Use Ceramics to Create a Uniform Wall Over the Chimney Breast
You can leave the fireplace open and cover up the front of the chimney breast entirely along with the space gaps on the sides to have one uniform wall using ceramics and plaster.
This procedure results in a stunning wall that appears to have a square hole in it.
You can also furnish the empty fireplace with Handwoven baskets and gourds and use paint to sketch a solid icon of the chimney’s breast location.
Hand Woven Display Baskets for Fruit:
17. Procure a Mounted Animal Head
If you are a game hunter or hunting enthusiast, adding a mounted animal head to your fireplace’s wall can improve its appeal and antique authenticity.
Many classic movies containing chimney breast depictions have mounted animal heads above the mantelpiece. You can emulate such an indoor decorative by purchasing a mounted animal head from a local taxidermist.
If you don’t want a stuffed animal head on your wall, you can always procure faux-mounted animal heads that serve the same purpose.
Animal Head:
18. Add More Detail to the Mantel
Making color and design changes to a mantel can significantly help to decorate a fireplace’s walls. Here is how to decorate a chimney breast mantel.
Begin by applying a bright definitive color on the mantelpiece using a different color of a darker shade on the chimney breast.
This procedure will make the mantel stand out and bring attention to the chimney breast. After painting the mantelpiece, allow it to dry and use sandpaper to create an aged appearance.
Bright Color:
19. Apply a Chimney Breast Wallpaper
Applying wallpaper is one of the most straightforward decorating ideas for chimney breast walls. It involves purchasing the wallpaper and sticking it throughout the fireplace’s walls. Wallpapers differ widely in colors and design.
Therefore you should slowly analyze the available options and pick a wallpaper that best suits your personality.
If you aren’t sure that you can correctly stick wallpaper on your chimney breast, kindly consider hiring home décor professionals to do it.
Chimney Breast Wallpaper:
20. Add a Marble Finishing
Adding a marble finish to your chimney breast helps to provide a fancy scratch-proof finish. Marble is a durable and affordable decorative product that will leave your chimney breast with a stunning appeal.
This material is also heat-resistant, meaning it is ideal for actively used fireplaces. You can even touch the marble-covered chimney breast while using the fireplace, and you won’t suffer any burns.
Marble also maintains its shine and hue for more extended periods compared to other decorative items. When you install, seal, and maintain marble well, it can last for a lifetime.
Marble Finishing:
21. Use it to Store Logs
If you don’t want to incur expensive chimney breast renovation costs, you can use the chimney breast as a storage unit for logs, and it will look surprisingly good.
Positioning logs at the chimney breast’s opening has a rustic allure and makes the room feel homey. This form of decoration works well in the dining area, living room, and bedrooms.
Log Bundle:
12 Bedroom Chimney Breast Ideas
Bedroom chimney breast ideas refer to creative and decorative solutions for incorporating or enhancing the presence of a chimney breast in a bedroom. A chimney breast is a structural element that houses a chimney, often jutting out from the wall.
In some cases, these are purely decorative remnants from older homes, while in others, they still serve a functional purpose.
Here are some ideas to consider:
- Paint and Wallpaper: You can paint the chimney breast a contrasting color to make it a focal point. Alternatively, use wallpaper with an interesting pattern or texture to draw attention to the chimney breast.
- Exposed Brick: If your chimney breast has exposed brickwork, consider leaving it as is for a rustic and industrial look. Brick can add warmth and character to your bedroom.
- Tile or Stone Cladding: Covering the chimney breast with tiles or stone cladding can create a visually appealing and textured feature. You can choose from a variety of materials, colors, and patterns to match your bedroom’s aesthetic.
- Built-in Shelving: Transform the chimney breast into functional storage by adding built-in shelving units. This not only maximizes space but also gives you a chance to display decorative items, books, or personal mementos.
- Fireplace: If the chimney breast houses a functioning fireplace, make it a cozy focal point in the bedroom by decorating the mantel with artwork, candles, or a mirror. Consider adding a decorative fireplace screen for added style.
- Alcove or Nook: Create a cozy alcove or reading nook around the chimney breast. Install a comfortable chair or a small sofa, add some cushions and throws, and you’ll have a perfect spot for relaxation.
- Mirrors: Install a large mirror on the chimney breast to create an illusion of more space and to reflect natural light. Mirrors can also be used decoratively with ornate or decorative frames.
- Artwork and Wall Decor: Hang artwork, framed photographs, or decorative wall panels on the chimney breast to make it an artful focal point. Grouping multiple pieces in a gallery wall style can be visually appealing.
- Accent Lighting: Install sconces, wall-mounted lights, or even fairy lights around the chimney breast to highlight its presence and add a cozy ambiance to the room.
- Minimalist Approach: Sometimes, less is more. If your room has a minimalist design, consider leaving the chimney breast untouched or painting it in the same color as the surrounding walls for a subtle, integrated look.
- Textured Plaster or Stucco: Applying textured plaster or stucco to the chimney breast can create a unique, tactile feature that adds depth and interest to the room.
- Custom Cabinetry: Install custom cabinetry or wardrobes around the chimney breast to make efficient use of space while seamlessly integrating it into the room’s design.
10 Living Room Chimney Breast Ideas
Living room chimney breast ideas involve creative ways to incorporate or enhance the presence of a chimney breast in your living room. Here are some brief ideas:
- Feature Wall: Paint the chimney breast in a contrasting color or use wallpaper with a bold pattern to make it a focal point.
- Fireplace Focal Point: If it’s a functional fireplace, decorate the mantel with artwork, decorative items, or a mirror.
- Built-in Shelves: Install built-in shelves or cabinets on either side of the chimney breast for storage and display.
- TV Wall: Mount your TV above the chimney breast for a streamlined entertainment setup.
- Alcove Seating: Create a cozy seating nook around the chimney breast with a comfortable sofa or chairs.
- Decorative Lighting: Use wall sconces, pendant lights, or a chandelier to enhance the chimney breast’s appeal.
- Textured Finishes: Add texture with stone cladding, tiles, or exposed brick for a rustic look.
- Art Display: Hang artwork or a gallery wall on the chimney breast to showcase your favorite pieces.
- Minimalist Design: Integrate the chimney breast into a minimalist design by painting it the same color as the walls.
- Functional Space: Convert the space into a home office, bar area, or book nook for added functionality.
5 Chimney Breast Ideas Without Fireplace
Here are five chimney breast ideas for a living room without a fireplace:
- Gallery Wall: Turn the chimney breast into a focal point by creating a gallery wall with a mix of framed artwork, photographs, and decorative mirrors.
- Bookshelves or Display Shelves: Install open shelves on the chimney breast to showcase your book collection, decorative items, or personal memorabilia.
- Media Center: Mount your TV and media equipment on the chimney breast to create an entertainment center. You can add shelving or cabinets for storage.
- Statement Decor: Use the chimney breast as a space to display a large piece of statement art, a decorative wall decal, or a striking wall sculpture.
- Accent Wall: Paint the chimney breast a bold, contrasting color, or use textured wallpaper to make it a visually appealing accent wall in your living room.
5 Kitchen Chimney Breast Ideas
Here are five kitchen chimney breast ideas:
- Tile Backsplash: Extend the chimney breast with a stylish tile backsplash. Use colorful or patterned tiles to create a visually appealing focal point behind your stove or cooking area.
- Open Shelving: Install open shelves on the chimney breast to store and display kitchen essentials like dishes, glassware, or cookbooks. This adds both functionality and aesthetics to the space.
- Range Hood Cover: If your chimney breast houses a range hood, consider customizing it with a decorative cover. You can use materials like wood, metal, or tile to match your kitchen’s style.
- Chalkboard or Magnetic Wall: Turn the chimney breast into a practical feature by applying chalkboard or magnetic paint. It’s a great way to jot down grocery lists, and recipes, or hang kitchen utensils.
- Vertical Garden: Create a green and vibrant atmosphere by installing a vertical garden on the chimney breast. Use shelves or plant pockets to grow herbs, succulents, or small potted plants.
5 Chimney Breast Feature Wall Ideas
Here are five chimney breast feature wall ideas:
- Painted Accent Wall: Paint the chimney breast in a bold, contrasting color to make it a striking focal point in the room. This simple technique can add drama and depth to your space.
- Wallpaper Statement: Use eye-catching wallpaper with intricate patterns, textures, or a mural on the chimney breast to create a captivating feature wall.
- Textured Finishes: Apply textured finishes like stone cladding, reclaimed wood panels, or 3D wall tiles to the chimney breast for a unique and tactile feature.
- Floating Shelves and Decor: Install floating shelves on the chimney breast and adorn them with decorative items, framed artwork, or a combination of both to draw attention to the area.
- Mirror Magic: Hang a large mirror on the chimney breast to visually expand the room and reflect light, adding an elegant and spacious feel to your space.
How are Chimney Breasts Built?
When it comes to interior design, this masonry structure typically contains concrete or cemented bricks. The process of constructing and designing a chimney breast varies depending on the intended function and preferred style.
British and American masons considered chimney breasts as separate architectural structures and built them separately from the rest of the house.
Some homeowners also like adding false chimney breasts connected to a wall with a flue. Such architectural systems are purely for cosmetic purposes and typically consist of plasterboard and timber materials.
Importance of Chimney Breast Mirror
A chimney breast mirror can have several important benefits in a room:
- Enhanced Light: Placing a mirror on the chimney breast can help reflect natural light from windows or artificial light sources. This, in turn, can brighten up the room, making it feel more spacious and inviting.
- Illusion of Space: Mirrors create the illusion of depth and space in a room. They visually expand smaller spaces, making them appear larger and more open, which can be especially useful in tight or cramped areas.
- Focal Point: A well-placed chimney breast mirror can serve as a focal point in the room, drawing attention to its decorative frame or the reflection it captures. This can add a touch of elegance and style to the space.
- Balance and Symmetry: In rooms with asymmetrical features, such as off-center fireplaces or uneven walls, a mirror on the chimney breast can help create a sense of balance and symmetry, making the room feel more harmonious.
- Decoration: Beyond its practical benefits, a mirror on the chimney breast can be a decorative element that complements the room’s design. Mirrors come in various styles, shapes, and frames, allowing you to choose one that suits your aesthetic preferences.
- Functionality: Depending on its size and placement, a chimney breast mirror can serve a functional purpose, such as allowing you to check your appearance before leaving the room.
Benefits of Having Chimney Breast
Although some people advocate for removing chimney breasts, having one in your home can offer you several benefits. First of all, a chimney breast helps to add character to a room.
An average square room can appear dull, but having this lower chimney portion can give the room a classy architectural design.
Secondly, maintaining and using decorating ideas for chimney breasts can help preserve a House’s historical background and help drive up a house’s value.
Some home buyers want a home with a chimney breast; So they can fire up it during cold winters and reminisce about the olden days.
Conclusion
Chimney breast ideas decorating can help you find innovative and creative ways of beautifying your fireplace’s walls. By following the ’21 Chimney Breast Decorating Ideas’ mentioned above, you can turn your dull chimney breast into a stunning centerpiece.
FAQs | Decorate Chimney Breast
The following FAQs can help you transform your chimney breast into a stylish and functional element in your house.
How to Decorate a Chimney Breast Wall?
To decorate a chimney breast wall, you can hang artwork or display decorative items on a mantel, add shelving or cabinetry for storage, or use paint or wallpaper to create a statement feature.
How to Paint a Chimney Breast?
You can easily paint a chimney breast, start by cleaning and sanding the surface, then apply a coat of primer and let it dry. Next, apply your chosen paint color in thin, even layers, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.
What Colour to Paint Chimney Breast?
When choosing a color to paint a chimney breast, consider the overall color scheme of your kitchen and choose a hue that complements it. You can also use the chimney breast as an opportunity to add a pop of color to your kitchen.
How to Decorate Walls on Side of Fireplace?
Decorating the walls on either side of a fireplace is a convenient task, you can hang artwork, install shelving or cabinetry, or add decorative items such as vases or candles. You can also use paint or wallpaper to create a statement feature.
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