Feel Good Home: 10 of the Best Country Cottage Fireplaces
Who doesn’t love a cosy cottage hearth glowing with a toasty fire? Curl up in front of these gorgeous fireplaces and feel warmly inspired
In the depths of winter, when the weather is cold and the light levels low, it’s hard for anyone to resist the appeal of a country cottage fireplace. Even die-hard minimalists or committed urbanites can understand the magic of a crackling fire in a cosy hearth, flanked perhaps by an armchair perfect for dozing off in. Ooh, I can feel my toes unthawing after a crisp winter walk already, as I stretch them towards the glowing flames…
If you don’t own a cottage, or a fireplace (or either), don’t despair! Here’s the next best thing – a roundup of beautiful, inspiring fireplaces in delightful country cottages. Put another log on, will you?
If you don’t own a cottage, or a fireplace (or either), don’t despair! Here’s the next best thing – a roundup of beautiful, inspiring fireplaces in delightful country cottages. Put another log on, will you?
Embrace the space
Many period cottage fireplaces are large. They often contained ovens for baking bread built into the side and may have been generous enough to roast meat, which would have been hung over the flames from hooks in the chimney.
Today, though, this can mean they are spectacularly inefficient at actually heating a room, as any warmth from the fire in the hearth disappears straight up the chimney.
A wood-burning stove overcomes this issue, and throws out plenty of heat, with the rest of the hearth becoming a gorgeous feature. Here, sleek velvet chesterfields bring the cottage vibe up to date.
How do I choose the right fire for my home?
Many period cottage fireplaces are large. They often contained ovens for baking bread built into the side and may have been generous enough to roast meat, which would have been hung over the flames from hooks in the chimney.
Today, though, this can mean they are spectacularly inefficient at actually heating a room, as any warmth from the fire in the hearth disappears straight up the chimney.
A wood-burning stove overcomes this issue, and throws out plenty of heat, with the rest of the hearth becoming a gorgeous feature. Here, sleek velvet chesterfields bring the cottage vibe up to date.
How do I choose the right fire for my home?
Darken for drama
A black surround set against a black-painted wall gives this cottage fireplace gritty, masculine good looks. The dark tones are a nice foil to the rustic stonework on the adjoining wall and steer this space away from a country look towards something a little edgier.
A black surround set against a black-painted wall gives this cottage fireplace gritty, masculine good looks. The dark tones are a nice foil to the rustic stonework on the adjoining wall and steer this space away from a country look towards something a little edgier.
Reuse for a rustic feel
In this renovated Dartmoor farmhouse, original stonework and even a few roof tiles have been preserved and reused to make the fire surround in the dining space. It creates a lovely rustic hearth, which contrasts beautifully with the white walls and pared-back feel of this home.
In this renovated Dartmoor farmhouse, original stonework and even a few roof tiles have been preserved and reused to make the fire surround in the dining space. It creates a lovely rustic hearth, which contrasts beautifully with the white walls and pared-back feel of this home.
Crank up the character
The fireplace was the hub of any rural cottage, at any time of the year. More than just a source of heat, it was where cooking took place and the odd wash down or even full bath happened, as it was where the water was heated. So a cottage fireplace brimming with gnarly character, like this one, keeps a connection with that time, and is a wonderful place of warmth, light and history.
The fireplace was the hub of any rural cottage, at any time of the year. More than just a source of heat, it was where cooking took place and the odd wash down or even full bath happened, as it was where the water was heated. So a cottage fireplace brimming with gnarly character, like this one, keeps a connection with that time, and is a wonderful place of warmth, light and history.
Bathe by the fire
Before boilers revolutionised our lives, old tin baths were kept outside and dragged indoors, to be filled with water heated on the fire. This bathroom is simply one step on. The fire no longer heats the water, but it brings an atmosphere of warmth and cosiness to this beautiful space.
Before boilers revolutionised our lives, old tin baths were kept outside and dragged indoors, to be filled with water heated on the fire. This bathroom is simply one step on. The fire no longer heats the water, but it brings an atmosphere of warmth and cosiness to this beautiful space.
Go grey
This Somerset cottage has a dark grey living room, illustrating how contemporary colours can work in a period setting. Here, the deep grey boosts the cosy factor in the room. It’s used in the hearth, too, to bring this traditional fireplace up to date.
How to bring a cottage into the 21st century
This Somerset cottage has a dark grey living room, illustrating how contemporary colours can work in a period setting. Here, the deep grey boosts the cosy factor in the room. It’s used in the hearth, too, to bring this traditional fireplace up to date.
How to bring a cottage into the 21st century
Weave in a classic
This cosy fireplace in a Yorkshire home is kitted out with retro collectables and folksy touches. The wooden Windsor armchair, though, is a beautifully traditional fireplace addition, which would have graced the hearth of many a cottage kitchen in the past.
This cosy fireplace in a Yorkshire home is kitted out with retro collectables and folksy touches. The wooden Windsor armchair, though, is a beautifully traditional fireplace addition, which would have graced the hearth of many a cottage kitchen in the past.
Banish the TV
With a handsome fireplace as a focal point, there’s no need for competition, so set the TV up in another room and preserve the cosy feel. This lovely room has ample seating, arranged in a sociable huddle, with the impressive fireplace visible to all and able to warm everyone relaxing here.
With a handsome fireplace as a focal point, there’s no need for competition, so set the TV up in another room and preserve the cosy feel. This lovely room has ample seating, arranged in a sociable huddle, with the impressive fireplace visible to all and able to warm everyone relaxing here.
Think big
With their big dimensions, cottage fireplaces demand a big grate or a powerful wood-burner to fill them well and create decent levels of heat. This fireplace is gorgeously generous. The surround is made from chunky, original stone and timber, with a spacious hearth, while the big fireplace within it not only looks great, but will keep the whole room toasty.
TELL US…
What do you think of these cottage fireplaces? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
With their big dimensions, cottage fireplaces demand a big grate or a powerful wood-burner to fill them well and create decent levels of heat. This fireplace is gorgeously generous. The surround is made from chunky, original stone and timber, with a spacious hearth, while the big fireplace within it not only looks great, but will keep the whole room toasty.
TELL US…
What do you think of these cottage fireplaces? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Your tastes may err on the side of contemporary, but when it comes to a country cottage and a roaring fire, there is something so right about a big, traditional armchair alongside. But while this chair oozes old-school charm, the fireplace is actually simple and modest – a neat wood-burner, a small stack of logs and an unfussy surround.