FirePlace
Fireplace Inspiration for Every Space
Aug
Explore twelve fireplace ideas for living rooms, bedrooms and patios, from a classic gas fire to a wood stove. We explain the look of each option and share examples to help you picture it in your space.
.mco-seo-copy a:not(.button){color:#1b70ba !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:underline}These fireplace ideas cover twelve ways to plan a fire around your room and your style. Indoor fireplace ideas include a classic main wall, a TV wall, a shared fire between rooms and an insert for an existing fireplace.
We also cover patio fires, wood stoves and farmhouse finishes. For help with fuel, venting, sizing and costs, start with our fireplace buying guide.
Jump to an Idea
- The Classic Living Room Fireplace
- A Media Wall
- A Long Ribbon of Flame
- A Fire Between Two Rooms
- A Corner Focal Point
- A Wall-Hung Bedroom Fire
- One Fire, Indoors and Out
- A Wood Fire on the Patio
- An Electric Fire on a Covered Patio
- A Freestanding Wood Stove
- Farmhouse Finishes and a Mantel
- Revive an Existing Fireplace
1. The Classic Living Room Fireplace
A sealed gas fireplace framed into the main wall is the most common choice for a living room fireplace. Direct vent means a sealed unit that vents through a wall, which lets it go almost anywhere. Our direct vent gas fireplaces include the Napoleon Ascent 36 Direct Vent Gas Fireplace. It puts out up to 18,000 BTU and is about 16 inches deep, so it also suits a corner. Face the sofa toward it and arrange seating in a half circle.
2. A Media Wall
A media wall puts the TV above the fire. Electric fireplaces are built to share that wall. The Modern Flames Orion V2 Multi 3-Sided Electric Fireplace comes in widths from 52 to 120 inches. Using a wall outlet on its own circuit, it delivers 5,000 BTU for about 400 square feet. Its flames run with or without heat. Browse our full electric fireplace collection and electric fireplace ideas to explore the look.
3. A Long Ribbon of Flame
A linear fireplace gives you a long, low window of fire. The Napoleon Vector 50 Direct Vent Gas Fireplace puts out up to 36,000 BTU. Its glass measures about 53 inches wide and 19 inches tall. For a modern fireplace design, carry tile or large stone to the ceiling. Skip the mantel or use one floating shelf, with glass pieces instead of logs. Compare our linear fireplaces alongside our guide to choosing the right size.
4. A Fire Between Two Rooms
A see-through fireplace sits in the wall between a kitchen and a great room. Both sides get a view of the fire. The Napoleon CLEARion Elite 50 See Through Built-In Electric Fireplace provides up to 10,000 BTU of heat. If you prefer gas, see-through gas models share their heat between the two rooms. Explore our see-through fireplaces when you want the fire to be part of both spaces.
5. A Corner Focal Point
When flat wall space is scarce, a corner fireplace turns an unused corner into the focal point. The Majestic Corner Series Direct Vent Gas Fireplace puts out up to 38,000 BTU. Its viewing area measures about 33 by 22 inches. Consider our corner fireplaces as you plan the room layout. Start with that corner as the place you want the seating to face.
6. A Wall-Hung Bedroom Fire
For a bedroom or a rental, consider a fireplace that hangs like a picture. Our wall mounted electric fireplaces plug into an outlet and need no chimney or gas line. The Napoleon Allure 32 Vertical Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace delivers 5,000 BTU to heat a room of up to 400 square feet. In summer, you can run the flames without heat. That gives you a way to enjoy the fire when you only want its light.
7. One Fire, Indoors and Out
An indoor/outdoor see-through gas fireplace sits in the exterior wall. You see the same fire from the living room and the patio. The Majestic Twilight Modern 36 See-Through Indoor/Outdoor Gas Fireplace puts out up to 38,000 BTU to warm the living room and take the chill off the patio. It comes 36 inches wide, with a window about 36 by 21 inches on each side. Consider this layout when you want both seating areas to face the fire.
8. A Wood Fire on the Patio
A wood burning fireplace gives the patio a warm wall with the crackle and smell of real wood. The Majestic Villawood Outdoor Wood Fireplace is one option in our outdoor fireplace collection. Wood suits an atmosphere-focused space, while gas is the entertainer’s pick. Ready-to-finish shells can be covered in stone, tile or stucco to match the house. Explore our outdoor fireplace ideas for more ways to plan the patio around a fire.
9. An Electric Fire on a Covered Patio
For a covered patio, consider an outdoor rated electric fireplace such as the SimpliFire Forum Outdoor Electric Fireplace. An outdoor electric model needs only an outdoor outlet and no venting. Put it on the wall your patio seating faces. Our outdoor range covers gas, wood and electric, so you can compare this approach with the wood fire in the previous idea.
10. A Freestanding Wood Stove
A freestanding wood stove makes a corner of the room a source of radiant heat, and it needs a chimney. The Osburn Matrix Wood Stove with Blower is rated for 500 to 2,100 square feet. It puts out up to 75,000 BTU at full burn. Its raised European style body holds the next loads of wood beneath the fire chamber. Soapstone side panels are optional. Explore our wood stoves if you want the stove itself to be the statement piece.
11. Farmhouse Finishes and a Mantel
Pair a raised hearth with a wood mantel or a cast version that will not burn. Browse our fireplace mantels and mantel styling ideas. Shiplap suits farmhouse rooms. Our shiplap fireplace post explores that finish. Consider wood burning indoor fireplaces for the fire itself. For the fireplace surround, brick or stacked stone adds warmth and age. Marble suits a formal room, while concrete gives a calm industrial look. Black or deep green paint around the chimney contrasts with white walls.
12. Revive an Existing Fireplace
An insert is a sealed unit that slides into an existing masonry firebox. It keeps that structure while turning the fireplace into efficient heat. Our full fireplace insert collection covers gas, wood and electric. Gas inserts run from a remote, and we carry ventless gas fireplace inserts. Our electric fireplace inserts plug in and skip venting. For an old drafty fireplace, an insert is usually the smarter use of your budget than a new fireplace.
Questions people ask
What are the trending fireplace designs?
Long linear gas or electric fires sit low in the wall, with tile or large stone carried to the ceiling. The look uses no mantel or one floating shelf, plus glass pieces instead of logs. Three-sided units, see-through fires and electric fireplaces sharing a wall with a TV are other options.
How can I make my fireplace look nice?
Start by refinishing the surround with paint, tile or stone veneer. Add a mantel or update the one you have. Face the seating toward the fire. On the mantel, use one main decorative piece, vary the heights of smaller pieces and leave some open space.
How can I modernize a dated fireplace?
You can make three changes without replacing the whole fireplace. Refinish the surround, add or upgrade the mantel, and put a modern insert in the firebox. Choose gas, wood or electric. An insert keeps the existing brick or stone, so the work feels like a renovation of what is already there.
Use these fireplace ideas to narrow down the look you want, then browse our fireplace collection for gas, electric and wood options, indoors and out. My Cozy Outdoors is an authorized dealer for every brand named here. Call or chat and send us a photo of the wall. We will shortlist units that fit your space.
