The fireplace has a symbolic meaning for the human intellect. Since the times when humans began to utilize fire in rudimentary means, such element became the center of tribes and many family activities. Accordingly, the fireplace was developed and has become the source of light, heat, security as well as food. Today, with the improvements in technology, the once simple wood and gas burning fireplace is now available as a portable flame electric fireplace.

Even though the fireplace has undergone several structural changes, two of its most essential parts are still apparent""the surround and mantels. Fireplace surround and mantels are what borders such fire feature to make it appear more visually interesting rather than just a black hole on the wall. Such parts are commonly seen in traditional wood and gas burning fireplace. However, as electric fireplace is now rapidly becoming the alternative for traditional wood and gas burning fireplace, surround and mantels are now also available to complement this fire feature.

As we all know, a fireplace surround acts as a shield for the soot and heat that could profoundly damage the wall paint inside a room. This purpose of the surround might leave you wondering, why would I use a surround if I have an electric fireplace that does not emit damaging soot and heat? To simply put it, a fireplace without surround is generally unattractive. A surround could profoundly make a big difference on how you electric fireplace looks like and could sustain design continuity inside a room.

Similar to the ones used for traditional hearth, you could also unleash your creativity through your electric fireplace surround. Though this fireplace often comes with its own surround, you could still change the way how it looks using your own design preference as a guide. Since an electric fireplace does not produce real flames, a wooden surround would definitely provide you more opportunity for decoration as it could be carved in differing shapes that would complement the interior design of your room. Other materials that you could use to make your surround aside from wood includes plaster, cast iron, marble, brick and limestone; just always put in mind that there are materials that have more outstanding features than others, so pick the ones that exemplify flexibility.

Together with the surround, electric fireplace mantels could also make significant aesthetic impact on your fire feature. Throughout history, mantels are powerful symbols of domestic life that have since received the special attention of fireplace designers, both traditional and electric. Similar to your surround, the mantels of your fireplace could also be designed with the use of different materials ranging from wood and metal, to natural stone and synthetic items. The most important thing that you have to consider when creating or choosing the designs of your mantels is how you could put your emotions into it in order to make it the best focal point inside your room.

The so called period mantels which can be in the form of colonial, Gregorian, Victorian and federal are arguably the most popular designs of electric fireplace mantels today. To add personal touch to your mantels, you could incorporate designs that are based from the places that have most inspired you or those memories that you are most fond about; the main point is for you to combine creativity and personal emotions in order to get the best finish that would represent your personality. Generally, there are no restrictions as to what you can do with the design of the surround and mantels of your electric fireplace. Going an extra mile in the design aspect would not only give you a unique fireplace but would also permit you to become more creative.