Fireplaces have always been a symbol of warmth, safety and comfort. Normally, you would think the fireplace would be located in the family or living room, the primary spot for family and friends to gather. But today, with modern design trends and advances in fireplace technology there are some unexpected and downright unique spots for a fireplace in your home or office.
Whether it’s electric, gas or wood, if you’re looking for ambiance, maybe supplemental heat or just a touch of class, today’s fireplaces are being installed in surprising spaces. And that includes outside! So, let’s explore some of the more interesting places to add a hearth product that will forever transform your home into something totally unique and truly unforgettable.
THE BEDROOM FOR RELAXATION AND ROMANCE
Few things feel as indulgent as a fireplace in the bedroom. A fireplace can instigate a romantic setting, maybe just what the doctor ordered for unwinding after a stressful or long day. Can you picture yourself snuggling under the blankets with a loved one or a good book while enjoying a glass of wine as flames set the mood?
- I think an electric fireplace is often the best option here. Most folks like their bedrooms a little cooler than the rest of the house and you’ll enjoy the light show from an electric fireplace with or without the heat turned on. This feature alone, coupled with a remote control will provide lots of flexibility that’s perfect for year-round use.
- Gas fireplaces are often installed in bedrooms, too. They’re clean, efficient and can also be turned on and off with a remote. As long as the fireplace is on an outside wall and a gas supply run to the location, you’ll be good to go! However, in my experience, many customers have commented that their bedrooms quickly get too warm with a gas fireplace, even on the lowest settings.
Where to locate:
- At the foot of the bed for a luxurious feel.
- Built into the wall opposite the bed, framed like artwork. This is a great spot for a linear fireplace.
- In a corner for smaller bedrooms that still want that cozy touch.
One other note, be sure to mount the fireplace high enough on the wall, so it can be easily seen while you’re lying in bed. Another strong case for a linear model halfway up a wall, or a portrait fireplace installed three or four feet up in a corner.
THE BATHROOM FOR SPA-LIKE SERENITY
It may sound surprising or even a bit weird, but bathrooms are one of the most popular places for a second fireplace in your home. If you have a soaking or jetted tub or a walk-in shower, a fireplace can transform your bathroom into a home spa! Unlike a bedroom where most people like it cooler, the bathroom is a place where most like it warmer and a fireplace is the perfect solution.
- Linear gas fireplaces work beautifully installed near the bathtub so while you’re lounging in the tub, you’ll be able to enjoy the flames.
- Double-sided fireplaces can divide the bathroom from a bedroom or dressing area while warming both spaces. We installed a three-sided pier gas fireplace into a large bathroom in a remodeled farmhouse. The sinks were on one wall, and the fireplace separated the tub and toilet on another wall. A walk-in shower was on the third wall. Warm and steamy relaxation meets a flickering firelight! What a perfect retreat! The colors, lighting, and furnishing created such a calming and soothing atmosphere!
KITCHENS AND DINING ROOMS, OLD TRADITIONS WITH NEW STYLE
In generations past, a kitchen fireplace was the heartbeat in the home. It was the busiest room in the house; the source of heat, a hot meal and conversation. A fireplace in kitchens or dining rooms today are less about survival and more about style.
- Kitchen fireplaces can be built into a breakfast nook, or if you’re building or remodeling, even designed into a corner cabinet, providing all kinds of ambiance while you sip coffee or prepare food. And, if yours is like our home, the kitchen is where many hang out during football or birthday gatherings with family and friends.
Some homeowners even combine a wood-burning pizza oven with a fireplace design, blending their lifestyle with function and flair.
- In the dining room, a fireplace elevates every meal into a special occasion. It encourages lingering at the table and visiting and creates a personal, almost intimate restaurant-like vibe. Electric linear fireplaces come in lots of different widths and one mounted on an adjacent dining room wall will give that meal an extraordinary touch.
ENTRYWAYS AND HALLWAYS: ALWAYS A WARM WELCOME
Most people don’t expect to see a fireplace when they first walk into a home, but that’s exactly what makes a location like this so cool!
- Entryway fireplaces create instant warmth. It says to your visitors: “Welcome, we’re glad you’re here!” A fireplace here will add a sense of grandeur to foyers, especially those with a high ceiling.
If yours is anything like our family, here’s another good reason a fireplace at the front door is worthy of consideration. It’s what I have dubbed the ‘20 Minute Good-bye”. Does this scene sound familiar? Friends getting their coats on and the front door opens, and remains open for 20 minutes while those last conversations finish up. They’re out the door, but on the porch, just one more thing, just one more five minute story or comment. Meanwhile the furnace cycles on and will run for the next hour because the house has lost half its heat.
- An electric fireplace at the end of a hallway will act like a piece of art in motion, providing light and warmth as it guides you from one room to the next. Placing a unit here is unexpected and will be a feature that shines and will certainly be noticed!
BASEMENTS REC ROOMS FOR COZY ENTERTAINMENT
Let’s admit it, many basements can often feel damp, cold and uninviting. A fireplace completely changes that dynamic and will make the space a natural gathering spot.
- Call it a man-cave, or maybe a theater or media room, install a fireplace beneath a large screen and you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds, sports or movies with ambiance and warmth.
- Whether it’s pool, foosball, darts or ping pong, a game room will benefit from a fireplace tucked into a corner. Why? Corner installations utilize space not typically targeted for other items, and without disrupting the layout of furniture and game tables.
Gas fireplace options are particularly practical, since basements can be challenging to install a chimney. With gas, venting and the gas supply line are usually the two main questions to answer when planning a fireplace downstairs.
STAIRCASES AND LANDINGS
What about some of those “in-between” spots in your home? Fireplaces in stairways or landings can add function, artistry and a real touch of class.
- This location wouldn’t work with a stairway that’s in the middle of a large room, but can you picture a five or six foot linear electric fireplace installed on the wall in an open stairway? What a stunning statement in your living room! How about a vertical fireplace at the top or bottom of the stairway?
- On large landings, a fireplace along with a comfy reading chair and side table will turn wasted space into a mini, private retreat.
In applications like these it proves that fireplaces aren’t just for main rooms, they can add beauty and charm to every corner of your home.
HOME OFFICE, WHERE COMFORT CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY
It seems that more and more people have the option to work from home. The home office has become a design priority for many. And by adding a fireplace, a home office can feel more inspiring and help stimulate creative thoughts.
- Consider a wall-mounted electric fireplace. They’re slim, sleek, quick and easy to install and can be enjoyed year-round.
- For a touch of sophistication, consider a traditional mantel and surround on the wall opposite your desk. You just may find that the glow of fire helps reduce your stress and provides a calm backdrop for meetings or solo work sessions.
TWO OR THREE SIDED FIREPLACES, ONE FLAME FOR TWO ROOMS
A versatile and unique way to bring fire into distinct places is with a two or three sided fireplace. These models can act as a divider between living spaces while providing amazing ambiance to both areas.
Popular placements include:
- Between the master bedroom and master bath. Awesome effect. Installing on a common wall between a bedroom and living room. Not cool. Obvious reasons.
- Between the living room and dining room.
- Between an indoor space and a covered patio or a 3 or 4 seasons room. This approach maximizes impact without requiring two separate fireplaces. Just be sure you’ve selected a fireplace that is approved for outdoor use.
EXTEND THE SEASON IN AN OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM
Outdoor fireplaces are huge these days when it comes to upgrading or expanding outdoor living space. They’re the anchor for backyard living rooms, patios and decks, turning chilly evenings into cozy gatherings. Seasonal spaces will always shine when paired with a fireplace.
Consider:
- A poolside fireplace to enhance those late night swims or lounging with friends.
- Under a pergola or gazebo to create a cozy and intimate outdoor room.
- Freestanding outdoor fireplaces and firepits are the main focal point in the backyard.
- Patios, screened-in decks, porches, and sunrooms.
- Three-season rooms with a gas or electric fireplace will extend the usability of the area into the colder months. Get outside earlier and stay outside longer!
- Screened porches gain a cozy glow for autumn evenings.
- Four-season sunrooms will become a year-round relaxation zone when a fireplace is added. What a great place to read or just visit with family and friends!
The beauty here is flexibility: wood, gas or electric fireplaces can all work, depending on site circumstances. Again, make sure the equipment is rated for exterior use. Stone surrounds and rustic finishes often complement the natural setting of your home and its surroundings. Pair with weather-resistant seating, blankets and string lights, and you’ve got yourself a year-round entertainment space!
OTHER HOSPITALITY AND COMMERCIAL SETTINGS
Fireplaces are also being placed in creative commercial settings.
- Restaurants and cafes use fireplaces to create cozy dining nooks. Customers find these spaces desirable and often quieter than the dining and higher traffic areas.
- Spas often include fireplaces in relaxation rooms. This seems like a no-brainer!
- Many hotels have found that fireplaces transform lobbies into warm gathering hubs with dramatic, large-scale fireplaces.
For businesses, fireplaces are less about heat and more about creating memorable experiences for patrons and customers.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FUEL FOR YOUR UNIQUE SPACE
Not every type of fireplace will work in every location. Here are a few general guidelines to consider when you’re trying to determine what’s the best fuel to use for your fireplace project.
- Wood-burning fireplaces are usually the best for large rooms and outdoor spaces. They can be less flexible due to chimneys restrictions. Also consider purchasing and storing wood and the regular maintenance that’s required, like feeding the fire, ash removal, chimney cleaning, etc.
- Gas fireplaces are highly versatile and come in loads of different sizes and shape. Heat output can be adjusted with a remote. They can be set up anywhere that a gas supply and proper venting can be installed.
- Electric fireplaces are the least expensive, safest and easiest to install. Like their gas cousins, there are lots of different sizes and shapes. Since most operate on a common 120 volt electric circuit and because there is no venting necessary, an electric fireplace can literally be installed anywhere in your home or office. Gas models will not produce as much heat as a gas or wood burning fireplace, but they can be operated year-round, with or without the heat turned on.
One other note to mention: remember to always check local building and safety officials for any restrictions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Fireplaces are no longer just functional. Now, they can be that and so much more. They’re design statements, lifestyle upgrades and mood setters. From bedrooms to bathrooms, from hallways to staircases and from simple decks to elaborate outdoor living spaces, a unique spot or two for a fireplace is limited only by your imagination.
When thoughtfully chosen and properly installed, a fireplace will elevate any room from being just ordinary space, to being an absolutely extraordinary space! Whether your goal is relaxation, romance, hospitality or surprise, the ambiance of the flame can be found in any home, and in places you never thought possible.
Now would be a good time to take a couple of pictures of that unique space you’re thinking about. Bring them to your We Love Fire dealer along with your design thoughts and other questions. We’re always ready, willing and able to help in any capacity you need.
