How to choose a fireplace to suit your home and personal style

Residential design has dramatically evolved over the past 150 years, but one element that remains is the romantic allure of a fireplace.

According to interior designers, between 80 and 95 per cent of their recent residential projects feature at least one fireplace, regardless of whether the home is a period renovation or new build.

Home owners today can enjoy the cosy and picturesque qualities of a fireplace without solely depending on this for warmth.

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Even models that no longer serve this function provide a focal point that adds to a room’s visual interest, ambience and even facilitate a sense of nostalgia. Fireplaces are therefore no longer commonly installed in bedrooms, but serve as the centrepiece of modern living spaces.

Deciding on the most appropriate living room fireplace to suit your personal style and lifestyle can be overwhelming. To help simplify the process, most interior designers and architects advise the best place to start is by determining the existing design of your home.

“For us, the architectural style of the home dictates the style of the fireplace,” says Tania Handelsmann, director of Handelsmann + Khaw.

“If it’s a period building, we will source traditional [original or replica] surrounds that are native to that period. For a contemporary structure, we will usually design a custom surround that is typically sculptural or minimal in style.”

The next factors to consider are the scale of the room and how the fireplace will operate. Depending on who will use the room, safety and convenience may inform the design.

“There is a big difference in upkeep, effort, heat, cleaning and quality between the different types. We always consider our clients’ needs, and in particular, their time constraints,” says Mardi Doherty, director of Doherty Design Studio.

For example, when recently designing two homes for the same client, Doherty chose to install a gas fireplace in their primary home and an open, wood-burning fireplace in the holiday house.

“They wanted a quick, easy heating solution for their city home and were very happy to spend time collecting and chopping wood for their weekender,” Doherty explains.

A wood-burning fireplace will require more time and cleaning than a gas, ethanol or electric model.

Another element to think about is the placement of your fireplace, taking into account surrounding windows, doors, joinery, furniture and possibly a television. Some prefer for a fireplace to blend into an existing wall, while others see this as an opportunity to make a statement.

“We always try to ‘show off’ a fireplace and conceal the television,” Doherty says.

“Aside from producing heat, they can also really enhance the architecture and interiors of a home.”

While it’s most common for a fireplace to be centrally located within a room, this sometimes isn’t possible when factoring in a television or other items such as artwork and bookshelves.

“Placement also depends on the use,” says Miriam Fanning, founding director and principal of Mim Design.

“In many living rooms with televisions, we often place the fireplace off-centre so having a fire and watching television can happen simultaneously.”

Alternatively, a double-sided fireplace can serve as space divider within a large room, as was the case in Robson Rak’s recently completed Pavilion House.

“Not only did it act as the hero for both these spaces but also helped divide and define them,” says Chris Rak, principal interior architect at Robson Rak.

Don’t forget to determine where wood will be stored (if required) and the positioning of other shelving. Home owners also need to check with their local council for any restrictions that apply in their area.

Interior designers are currently favouring fireplaces that are larger in scale and more sculptural in form, incorporating authentic materials such as stone, steel and concrete. Where wall space is limited, a fireplace hanging from the ceiling can be a striking presence without overpowering a room.

Rak says the enduring appeal of fireplaces is due to the effect they have on bringing people together.

“The fireplace really does become the heart of the home and creates a sense of occasion and purpose even when there is none,” he says.

In our increasingly busy lives, a fireplace signals a place to relax and be present, either alone or in the company of others.