Nothing says home, sweet home, like bringing the heat in the form of a fireplace.
Globally, the hearth industry has a more than $13 billion market size. If you’re trying to install a fireplace in your home, you’ll want to explore the many different options in front of you.
It all comes down to understanding the design that works best for your household. So, how can you choose? We have some guidelines that’ll help you out.
Here’s what you should know about choosing fireplace designs that are best for your home.
What Are Your Options for Fireplace Designs?
Roughly 46% of homebuyers say that they’d pay more for a house that has one. If you’re in this group, you’ll love the fact that there are plenty of designs available.
Figuring out your design will offer you the chance to find one that’s best for your home. Keep these designs on your list as you shop:
The Classic Fireplace
You can’t go wrong with the old school, classic fireplaces. These are built with square openings that let you load up firewood that you can burn on your own time. As long as you can shop for and stock up on the best wood for fireplaces, the classic model is an option that you’ll feel comfortable cozying up to.
Installing one of these fireplaces gives you the old school library feel. Classic fireplaces are timeless and can be accented by different trims and materials. The classic wood fireplace is also easy and straightforward to install when compared to other designs. Consider the height and dimensions of your fireplace to make sure it’s centered correctly to fit your living room.
Classic models go well with any type of fireplace decor, and you can always expand or renovate them however you need to. As long as you know how to buy firewood and have a knack for decorating the entire fixture, this design will provide you with the return on investment (ROI) that you’re looking for.
Fireplaces That Blend In With Decor
When you’re making this sort of investment, your fireplace placement makes a world of difference. These fireplaces can easily be installed with a more modern touch, in a way that blends in with your home environment.
A fireplace contractor can install a unit that is literally installed inside of a wall, enclosed in a durable glass pane. They come in standard fireplace dimensions or can be designed horizontal with more width. Fireplaces that blend in with your decor are picturesque and create a focal point for your entire room.
Other people appreciate fireplaces that are more vertical, giving you something majestic to marvel at. These fireplaces come in both wood and gas options and will serve as an excellent showcase.
Marble Fireplace Designs
Always purchase fireplaces that are made with quality materials. It doesn’t get more quality than marble. This is a type of stone that is growing toward becoming a $16 billion industry because it is so sought after. People love marble for several reasons, including:
- It’s one of the most durable stones available so you can count on your fireplace lasting for years to come
- Marble is valuable and will bring equity to your home
- The mantle won’t easily scratch or crack
- The color will hold strong, even if your fireplace is situated by a window since it’s ultraviolet (UV) resistant
- Marble comes in a variety of shades, which you can mix and match with the rest of your home decor
Marble is also easily cut and modified. You may look into flat panels, marble bricks, or an array of different styles. Regardless of what style you’re looking into, make sure to find marble that has the level of hardness and clarity that you prefer for your fireplace.
Faux Fireplaces
Perhaps you might want a fixture that looks and feels just like a fireplace but at a fraction of the price and without the upkeep. If this is up your alley, there are lots of faux fireplace designs that you’ll be glad to check out. These fireplaces look strikingly similar to the real thing, yet they don’t have a fuel source.
Most don’t generate heat, though some work off of electricity similar to a space heater. You’ll appreciate these faux fireplaces because:
- There’s no need to stock up on firewood or gas
- Faux fireplaces are eco-friendly and won’t drive up your bills
- They don’t pose fire hazards
- These fireplaces are healthier since there’s no risk of inhaling carbon monoxide
- You will get maximum longevity out of faux fireplaces
Shop around for a faux fireplace that suits your style and tastes, and figure out how much space you’d like for it to take up. Many of these models even let you modify the style of the flames by cycling through different settings or even controlling it by mobile app.
Technology is king, so you’ll appreciate the effects and modern touch that these bring, without having to worry about the installation cost, time, or effort.
Space Saver Designs
Homeowners love and appreciate their space. Regardless of how much square footage you have, you’ll always want to have some room to stretch out and enjoy it. There are plenty of fireplaces made specifically with this in mind.
If you’d like to enjoy one of these fixtures without sacrificing square footage, there are designs that are as small as 34 inches or so. In exchange, space saver fireplaces also use less fuel, and don’t have as many ventilation needs as large structures. Take the time to find small space fireplaces that are also suitable for your interior design and the architectural issues that you’re going for.
Brick Fireplace Designs
When you’re trying to get the best from your fireplace, you can’t go wrong with brick design. Brick fireplaces are excellent for your interior or exterior, and you’ll appreciate the craftsmanship of these fixtures. Masonry is a $28 billion business because of the level of detail and precision that they’ll bring to your household.
Here are some of the perks that you’ll love when you look into brick fireplaces:
- Brick is durable and long-lasting when compared to other materials
- The equity potential for a brick fireplace is amazing
- You can heat your home cheaply with a brick fireplace
- The aesthetic quality is unmatched
- It’s one of the most cost-effective materials that you can invest in for your fireplace
- Brick denotes class and luxury
- You can get a custom brick fireplace or prefabricated model
You’ll get the best outcome when you hire the help of pros that can maximize the value of your fireplace with the right installation.
Glass Fireplace Designs
A little bit of glass goes a long way with your fireplace design. It allows you to capture the wonder of a chemical reaction in a glass case, so that the fire in your home gets the best possible showcase. Glass fireplace designs are like having pure heat in a gift box, and you can enjoy the different colors of the flames and the smoke that it emits from the comfort of your living room.
When you have glass doors set up for your fireplace, your cleanup isn’t as arduous, since the soot doesn’t build up as freely. These fireplaces are also safer because the glass cases are air tight. This means that there’s less air leaking into your living room that people breathe in.
It’s less likely to make you sick and you won’t inhale these noxious flames. Here are some other excellent benefits to investing in glass fireplace designs:
- They’re more energy efficient, and will help you lower your heating and cooling bills
- The decor and design are modern and add some luxury to your home
- You are less likely to deal with fire hazards
- These fireplaces allow for gas fuel so you don’t have to stock up on firewood
- Glass denotes transparency so that it opens up your room with style and elegance
When you’re shopping for one of these fireplaces, you can study up on the different types of glass available. Shop based on hardness, fire rating, clarity, and other matters so that you can get the best outcome.
How Can You Choose Your Fireplace Design?
Now that you understand some design options, you can start working with pros that can help you put it all together. There are a few different factors that you need to consider when you’re trying to go from shopping around to closing the deal and getting a beautiful fireplace installed in your home.
So, which tips will help you narrow down your options?
Consider Your Fireplace Budget
Budget is everything when you’re deciding on fireplace budgets. Buying a fireplace can cost you $1,500 or more in most cases, and these prices can easily climb to $30,000 or beyond.
Comb through each option and get a price range for how much the materials and installation will cost you. Figure out whether you’re going to pay cash or if you need to finance your fireplace. Doing this will help you nail down the price point that works best, without breaking the bank.
Understand the Purpose and Your Goals
In addition to considering fireplace costs, figure out what you want to get out of the fireplace. For instance, some fireplaces are best for generating heat, while others are less heat-efficient but have more style points.
The installation might also serve as a renovation. For instance, you might have an old, outdated fireplace that needs a facelift and that makes your home more eco-friendly. Study the specifications for each fireplace so that you know exactly what you’re getting and can extract the best value.
Measure the Layout and Square Footage of Your Room
To know the effectiveness of your fireplace, you’ll need accurate measurements of your home interior. Learn the heat radius of the fireplace to know whether it’s the right fit and how much fuel it’ll take to get results.
Understanding these details can help you decide on a fuel source and to get the installation that is ideal for your living room now and in the future. Consider the way that this affects your energy bills, and whether you’re prepared to stock up on the fuel during the cold months.
Consult With a Fireplace Pro
Above all it’s important that you touch base with a licensed and insured fireplace professional that can tackle the work for you. They’ll let you know what models they specialize in, and can help you figure out which type is best for your goals.
Speak to at least three or four different fireplace professionals to also make sure you’re getting the best price quote, and ask about things like warranties and maintenance plans. Leaving the maintenance to fireplace professionals guarantees that you’ll get the best possible outcome from these fixtures, and it’ll make your fireplace more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Your fireplace requires constant cleaning, and it’s best to have a professional go through a pre-season checklist that will get it ready to brave the fall and the winter.
There are even companies like Buy Firewood Direct that can keep you stocked with fresh wood that you can burn in your fireplace.
Find the Fireplace Designs That Work for You
The guidelines in this article will help you out when you’re looking for the best fireplace designs. Fireplaces have been a mainstay in homes for the past centuries for good reason. You can continue this tradition by upgrading to the designs and styles that are the most modern and cost-effective.
Start with these points and get the help of some pros that can look out for you. Rely on us to learn more about home improvement and remodeling.
