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 14 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.
“Fireboxes have become larger and their frames smaller as the frameless look gains traction,” says Jarrod Strauss, general manager at Stoke Fireplace Studio. “This creates the effect of a dramatic, contemporary fireplace wall.”
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,” says Simon Guyon, director at Oblica. For a small living room, he recommends a gas or wood-burning fireplace with between 4 and 7 kilowatts of power and, for a large, open-plan room, between 9 and 15 kilowatts.
Gas fireplaces
When it comes to convenience, gas fires score top marks – just flip a switch (or remote control) and away you go. There’s no messy clean-up and thermostat controls allow you to set your desired temperature. “Gas fires are a great option for small homes, carpeted rooms and families with allergy considerations,” says Melissa. They’re becoming more convenient, too. Real Flame have recently introduce WiFi-connected models that allow you to activate your fire from a smartphone.
Gas fires remove the hassle and expense of sourcing wood. “If you have natural gas, the running cost will be less in areas where timber is not readily available,” explains James Kearsley, national sales and wholesale manager for Jetmaster Fireplaces Australia.
Long and lean are the buzzwords in gas fires, with Escea recently releasing its DS series of gas fires that measure a whopping 2m wide. “Gas fireplaces have really stepped up their game recently,” says Jarrod.
“The fuel beds and flame patterns look more natural and the fireplaces are sleeker and more streamlined.” Expect to pay between $2000 and $35,000 for a gas fire, adds Jeff Collins, national commercial sales manager at Glen Dimplex Australia.
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.
Electric fireplaces
An electric fire is a great option if you want a no-fuss heating solution that simply plugs into the wall. “Flame-effect fires have improved enormously over the past few years, with technology making them look like real flames,” says Jeff.
Heat output on electric models ranges from about 1.5 to 2 kilowatts, warming rooms of up to about 20 sq m. But they can be energy guzzlers.
“Look for a model with a four-star energy rating or above, or you’ll pay for it with your next power bill,” says Melissa. Electric fireplaces range from about $500 to $4000.
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.
Alternatively, go for a wood-pellet fire, which uses pellets made from sawdust. They can heat anything from a room to a whole house and produce about five per cent of the smoke emissions of a log burner, at a cost of between $3000 and $6000 each.
The 14 best modern fireplaces for your home
Element MK1 high-efficiency gas fireplace, POA, Real Flame
A 5.2 star energy rating means that the Element MK1 fireplace will keep your bills low and your home toasty. With 1200 and 1800 size options, this sleek option will look right at home in contemporary style homes. SHOP NOW
Ghost ethanol fireplace, $2495, EcoSmart Fire
Incredibly minimalist in its glass and steel design, the Ghost fireplace earns its name. With a 2.5 litre capacity ethanol burner, Ghost will burn bright for up to eight hours. As an optional add on, you can add a copper or brass log set. SHOP NOW
Winston Mantel 2kW electric fireplace, POA, Dimplex
Traditional in style, this 26 inch firebox gives the illusion of a wood burning fireplace with none of the mess or expensive installation. With an incorporated LED flame effect, you can enjoy the ambiance of a fire year-round, with or without the heating. SHOP NOW
Hase Sila cylindrical fireplace, from $9000, Oblica
Versatile and compact, the Hase Sila fireplace goes up rather than out. You can completely customise its appearance, with a range of finishes available. Easily heat the whole room with the option to rotate its cylindrical body. SHOP NOW
Cypress GS2 gas fireplace, from $6795, Lopi
This freestanding gas fireplace is everything you need with none of the fuss. Though it operates off gas, the ultra-realistic logs and award winning Ember-Fyre burner achieve the same ambience as a real wood fire. SHOP NOW
Stix portable fire pit, from $1495, EcoSmart Fire
A classic campfire reimagined, Stix offers a contemporary take on cosiness thanks to Barcelona-based designer Hiroshi Tsunoda. Geometric and striking, this scuptural but functional form can be used both in and outdoors. SHOP NOW
Riley 2kW Optiflame portable electric fire, POA, Dimplex
Sleek but simple, Riley comes complete with chrome accents and and black rectangular body, giving it the appearance of a traditional stove. SHOP NOW
864 Clean Face 31K GS2 gas fireplace, from $7649, Lopi
Clean and simple, being a gas fireplace the 864 ‘Clean Face’ eliminates the need for a grill. With the ability to turn it up or down, this fireplace will take you through winter and the odd spring or autumn chilly night. SHOP NOW
Focus ‘Paxfocus’ wall hanging wood fireplace, from $14,500, Oblica
With its hanging, sculptural form, this style has earned cult status amongst homeowners and designers alike. Designed by Dominique Imbert, this design was released in 1983 and made in France, making it a classic and a no-brainer. SHOP NOW
Pod 40 fire pit bowl in Graphite, from $2495, EcoSmart Fire
A contemporary twist on the fire pit, the Pod Fire Bowl is the solution to year-round entertaining. Moveable and best of all, smoke free, Pod’s curved design was inspired by the shapes and forms of traditional pottery. SHOP NOW
Sherwood Mantel 2kW electric fireplace, POA, Dimplex
A traditional shape meets a sleek, dark frame and natural wood textures in the Mantel electric fireplace. Coming complete with life-size hardwood-cast logs, Mantel requires no expensive installation or venting, meaning it can be easily moved between rooms. SHOP NOW
Heat & Glo SLR-X gas fireplace, POA, Jetmaster Fireplaces Australia
Sleek and chic, the Heat & Glo SLR-X gas fireplace’s linear design lends it to contemporary-style homes. Availabe in several finishes, it’s aesthetic as well as functional, a standard fan circulating the heat throughout whichever room it sits in. SHOP NOW
Stovax Studio 2 freestanding wood-burning fireplace, POA, Regency Fireplace Products
A versatile design, the Studio 2 wood-burning fireplace can be either mounted onto a hearth or installed atop a bench. As a wood-burning fireplace, this flue-connected option is classic and traditional; you can never go wrong! SHOP NOW
Aeris suspended ethanol fireplace, POA, Cocoon Fires
Suspended from a minimal stainless steel pole (of which there are extendable options for up to 5 metres), the rotatable Aeris offers 360 degrees of warmth. Have beautifully sloped ceilings? The cocoons versatile design means it can be installed in just about any space. SHOP NOW
WriterGeorgia Madden
PhotographerSimon Whitbread
