Remodeling the Perfect Fireplace for Your Home

When it comes to home remodeling, the fireplace is one of the top (or bottom!) selling features. According to a home features survey taken by the National Association of Realtors in 2013, fireplaces are one of the home features that make people jealous. In fact, they are so important in home remodeling that buyers are willing to pay up to $1,400 more for a home with a beautiful one.

However, according to a survey done by the National Association of Home builders, buyers admitted that looks (46%) were more important than quality (31%). So basically, you can have a beautiful fireplace and mantel, but it need not work. We kid, we kid. It should work, but apparently that’s not as important as how it looks.

We don’t find this information surprising. After all, the fireplace is often the focal point of the home, the place where Christmas mornings unfold and where families gather for game nights.

The next time you embark on some home remodeling, take these tips into consideration for your fireplace.

1. Hide the TV cords. If you plan on mounting your flat screen TV above the fireplace, which is oh-so-common nowadays, make sure the cords are out of sight. Hire an electrician to install an electric outlet and cable connection behind the TV. Believe us, it’s worth the money. Nothing will ruin a beautiful mantel faster than black cords dangling from behind the TV.
2. Incorporate texture. Whether you choose to skip the mantel in favor of an all-stone façade or you want an all-white mantel with tile around the fireplace, make sure there’s some texture. It’ll give the area some visual interest, plus it breaks up the room.
3. Know your style—and stick to it. If the rest of your home is Victorian, then we don’t recommend installing a modern stainless steel mantel. Because the fireplace is the focal point of the main living area, it needs to make a statement while keeping with the style of your home.

At Progressive Builders, we know fireplaces. Our designers and builders have years of experience in all aspects of home remodeling and we are happy to help! Contact us today to get started with your fireplace remodel.