DIAL UP THE SNUG FACTOR WITH THESE MODERN FIREPLACE IDEAS THAT DELIVER EFFICIENT HEAT AND STYLE IN SPADES. When it’s chilly outside, there’s nothing more appealing than a cosy fire. Choose it well and the right fireplace can also add focus and atmosphere to a space. To help you choose the right fireplace for your home, we’ve pulled together 16 of the best modern fireplace ideas and what you need to know about them.
“A fireplace is so much more than just a source of heat,” says Melissa Bonney, director of The Designory. “It’s something that people naturally gravitate towards, and where conversation happens.” Renovation and design expert Naomi Findlay concurs, adding: “A beautiful fireplace can bring texture, shape and style to a space. It also provides a great styling opportunity for accessories.”
All manner of fires are on offer, including sleek gas models, atmospheric wood-burning styles, slow-combustion stoves, plug-in-and-go electric designs, and eco-friendly bio-fuel models. Looks-wise, fireplaces with pared-back lines and minimalist detailing are trending.
Pod-style fireplaces that hang from the ceiling, double-sided and triple-sided models, and striking, contemporary takes on traditional slow-combustion heaters are other styles to consider if you want to make a statement.
Whichever fireplace you choose, you’ll also want to know that it can heat the space it’s going into. Consider the heating power of the unit [which is measured in kilowatts], the volume of the room and how well it is insulated.
WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE
For many people, however, nothing compares to a flickering flame. A wood-burning fire can heat a larger space than gas and, if you have ready access to logs, can be cheap to run. “They deliver on ambience, but the upkeep and effort to maintain and run them is greater than gas,” says Melissa. “You also need to think about storage for wood, both inside and out.”
Choose between a built-in fireplace and a freestanding style, such as a wood-burning stove or a suspended pod that hangs from the ceiling. Streamlined wood-burning stoves, which come in a range of colours and finishes, are making waves right now. “Simple fireboxes installed on a concrete, brick or tiled bench are also popular,” says Simon. “They don’t require much masonry work and can be an affordable option.”
If decent heating is a priority, be aware that a closed stove or slow-combustion heater will provide more efficient and longer-lasting heat than an open fire. A wood-burning fire will set you back between $1200 and $10,000.
MODERN FIREPLACE IDEAS – ETHANOL FIREPLACES
For eco-friendly heat, consider an ethanol fireplace, which uses fuel made from plant by-products. They produce no smoke or mess, don’t need fluing and can be installed anywhere from a kitchen island bench to inside built-in joinery. The XL series of built-in and freestanding ethanol fireplaces by EcoSmart Fire heats spaces of up to 60 sq m.
