Decorating
Decorating: Warm Up Your Home With a Cosy Contemporary Fireplace
Today’s modern fireplaces are so much more than a way to heat your home, as these stylish examples demonstrate
With winter fast approaching, we’re all starting to think about heating our homes. And sometimes, there’s nothing like a sleek and beautiful contemporary fireplace to create a toasty hotspot around which friends and family can gather.
From a simple glass box in the wall to a sculptural chimney hanging in the centre of your room, today’s range of contemporary fireplaces will add a serious design spark and a warm glow to any room in your home. Discover a few inspiring ideas here.
From a simple glass box in the wall to a sculptural chimney hanging in the centre of your room, today’s range of contemporary fireplaces will add a serious design spark and a warm glow to any room in your home. Discover a few inspiring ideas here.
Suspend from a ceiling
There are no hard and fast rules that say a fireplace has to be built into a wall. A striking, suspended design, like this one, works best with lofty ceilings for maximum impact. It won’t fail to add bags of drama to your living room and create a cosy vibe at the same time.
And the real beauty of this sleek fireplace is that it doesn’t take up any precious wall space, which is given over to the full-length, wraparound windows instead.
There are plenty of hanging fireplace designs to choose from, get more ideas here.
There are no hard and fast rules that say a fireplace has to be built into a wall. A striking, suspended design, like this one, works best with lofty ceilings for maximum impact. It won’t fail to add bags of drama to your living room and create a cosy vibe at the same time.
And the real beauty of this sleek fireplace is that it doesn’t take up any precious wall space, which is given over to the full-length, wraparound windows instead.
There are plenty of hanging fireplace designs to choose from, get more ideas here.
Take it outdoors
While we Brits don’t have the benefit of a year-round balmy climate, we could extend our alfresco hours during autumn’s milder evenings with an outdoor fireplace.
This super-modern design mirrors everything that works inside the contemporary home, fitting incredibly well into this garden. You could always swap your wine for hot chocolate if the temperature really starts to plummet…
Find fabulous firepits to warm up your terrace
While we Brits don’t have the benefit of a year-round balmy climate, we could extend our alfresco hours during autumn’s milder evenings with an outdoor fireplace.
This super-modern design mirrors everything that works inside the contemporary home, fitting incredibly well into this garden. You could always swap your wine for hot chocolate if the temperature really starts to plummet…
Find fabulous firepits to warm up your terrace
Go ultra modern
This unusual, convex wall-hung ‘fire panel’ is unmistakably contemporary and offers the best in minimalist styling and cosiness, while the 3D element of the design makes it look as if the fire itself is protruding into the room.
It isn’t actually a real fire burning, but a projected image of one. However, the piece still emits heat, so it’s the perfect way to create a fire-like effect without the fuss.
This unusual, convex wall-hung ‘fire panel’ is unmistakably contemporary and offers the best in minimalist styling and cosiness, while the 3D element of the design makes it look as if the fire itself is protruding into the room.
It isn’t actually a real fire burning, but a projected image of one. However, the piece still emits heat, so it’s the perfect way to create a fire-like effect without the fuss.
Make it a monolith
By installing a wall-like structure to house your fireplace, you can create a striking focal point in your home. Here, a simple rectangular fireplace has been transformed with a charcoal-coloured surround into a show-stopping feature. In a period barn conversion, it’s a beautiful and brave juxtaposition of old and new.
By installing a wall-like structure to house your fireplace, you can create a striking focal point in your home. Here, a simple rectangular fireplace has been transformed with a charcoal-coloured surround into a show-stopping feature. In a period barn conversion, it’s a beautiful and brave juxtaposition of old and new.
Split in half
This design has a similar visual effect to the suspended fire, yet also requires a degree of floor space to incorporate the fire pit. This means it can be used quite effectively as a room divider in an open-plan space.
This design has a similar visual effect to the suspended fire, yet also requires a degree of floor space to incorporate the fire pit. This means it can be used quite effectively as a room divider in an open-plan space.
Do the double
With the right fireplace design and some clever installation, a dividing wall can be transformed into the standout feature of two rooms.
Choose a smart, double-sided fireplace, such as this bonfire-style structure, so it can be enjoyed from either room. Even when it’s unlit during the summer months, it’s a great way to connect two spaces.
See how to choose the right fire for your home
With the right fireplace design and some clever installation, a dividing wall can be transformed into the standout feature of two rooms.
Choose a smart, double-sided fireplace, such as this bonfire-style structure, so it can be enjoyed from either room. Even when it’s unlit during the summer months, it’s a great way to connect two spaces.
See how to choose the right fire for your home
Showcase a sculpture
An interesting take on a contemporary fireplace is the ‘fire sculpture’, which is made up of steel elements that get hot and begin to glow when it’s switched on. This idea adds another dimension to the traditional fireplace, and is also a very efficient way to heat your home; the hot steel will radiate warmth for hours after the burner is turned off.
An interesting take on a contemporary fireplace is the ‘fire sculpture’, which is made up of steel elements that get hot and begin to glow when it’s switched on. This idea adds another dimension to the traditional fireplace, and is also a very efficient way to heat your home; the hot steel will radiate warmth for hours after the burner is turned off.
Use structural features
This sleek fireplace makes the most of an existing structural column in this open-plan kitchen, and transforms it into a unique feature. Think about unexpected places where you might be able to squeeze in a fire – this column proves it doesn’t have to be a large area.
Discover stylish ways to get cosy for winter
This sleek fireplace makes the most of an existing structural column in this open-plan kitchen, and transforms it into a unique feature. Think about unexpected places where you might be able to squeeze in a fire – this column proves it doesn’t have to be a large area.
Discover stylish ways to get cosy for winter
Buy into bioethanol
Completely flue-less and smoke free, bioethanol fires don’t need a gas connection or power supply. Instead, they run on a biofuel liquid that simply requires topping up every now and again to create the flames. These fires are the perfect solution if you don’t have a suitable chimney breast in your home.
TELL US…
Do you have a modern fireplace? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Completely flue-less and smoke free, bioethanol fires don’t need a gas connection or power supply. Instead, they run on a biofuel liquid that simply requires topping up every now and again to create the flames. These fires are the perfect solution if you don’t have a suitable chimney breast in your home.
TELL US…
Do you have a modern fireplace? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
A skinny, glass firebox blends harmoniously with this modern rustic barn conversion. Fitted neatly into one corner of the all-white wall, it enhances the elegant proportions and soothing colour palette of this laid-back living space.
You can see more ribbon fireplaces like this in our photo section.