As with any other part of your home, one of the simplest and fastest ways to update your electric fireplace is with accessories. Many people assume that once the fireplace is set up and installed, that’s it for the rest of its life. Not so! There are many ways to upgrade the look of your fireplace, and therefore your home, with fireplace accessories. The great advantage of electric fireplaces is that they are zero-clearance, so there are upgrade options available that may not work for gas or wood-burning fireplaces. Having said that, one way to add authenticity to your electric fireplace is to add accessories that are made for wood-burning fires. This is especially true if you prefer a more traditional fireplace design. Below, we offer our top five electric fireplace accessories for your home.
Electric fireplace media packages
All electric fireplaces come with at least one media package. It may be clear crystals, or logs in a grate, or loose driftwood. If you’re not satisfied with the standard media kit, it is possible to purchase alternative media. First, check to see if the manufacturer recommends any optional media kits for the fireplace model you have. These are guaranteed to fit your fireplace.
If you plan to upgrade your electric fireplace media kit from another manufacturer, you need to understand how much space you have in the ember bed, to accommodate the new kit. The ember bed is the lighted ledge just behind the glass viewing window, where the media items will rest. You can quickly calculate the depth of this area by deducting 3-4 inches from the overall depth of your fireplace. For example, a 12-inch deep electric fireplace has an ember bed that is 8 – 9 inches deep; a 6-inch deep electric fireplace has an ember bed that is 2 inches deep; a 4-inch deep electric fireplace has an ember bed that is only 1-inch deep. Obviously, a log kit that has been designed for a 12-inch-deep fireplace will not fit into a 6-inch-deep fireplace. Look for media kits that are designed for electric fireplaces with the same depth as your model. It’s especially challenging to find media kits for extra-slim electric fireplaces that are only 4-inches deep. If you prefer to use natural materials, be aware of these size limitations when sourcing media items.
When it comes to traditional fireplace inserts that have logs set into a grate, media options may be limited. These are generally not removable, so it’s challenging to upgrade them. However, some electric fireplace manufacturers offer alternative log sets, such as the birch and fresh-cut logs offered for Dimplex Revillusion inserts. We have also seen creative use of black glass chunks to mimic coals around the grate, set on top of the glowing ember bed inside some electric inserts.
Fireplace mantel ledges
Long before electric fireplaces existed, mantel ledges were installed above fireplaces to protect the walls above from open flames. When placed above gas fireplaces, mantel ledges can protect the walls and electronics above from excessive heat. When it comes to electric fireplaces, a mantel ledge is not a necessity, but it is a feature that adds beauty and dimension to a fireplace wall. It’s also one of those fireplace accessories that lends authenticity to the electric fire.
Because electric fireplaces have no combustion and no live flames, we can add mantel ledges in any material we like. You can create a rustic look with a reclaimed barn beam. Or you can go traditional with a more elaborate painted mantel ledge. We like steel mantel ledges for their versatility in terms of finish colours and accents like strapping and studs. Of course, they are also non-combustible, for those who are placing them above gas or wood-burning fireplaces. And, they are magnetic – handy for mounting those Christmas stockings with magnetic hooks.
When choosing the size of your mantel ledge, make it a little wider than the fireplace, and deep enough to hold any objects you might want to place on it.
Fireplace screens
Fireplace screens are made to catch sparks from open fires, and keep them out of your room. They have traditionally been a safety feature for wood-burning fireplaces, which is why they can elevate an electric fireplace insert in certain settings. If you are converting a wood-burning fireplace with an electric log set, adding a fireplace screen to the front will provide 2 benefits: it will create the illusion of a functioning fireplace, and it will camouflage and soften the appearance of the electric flames inside the masonry opening. You can either place a free-standing fireplace screen on the hearth, or you can have mesh doors fitted to the fireplace opening. This comes down to personal preferences.
We have also been asked to create custom fireplace screens to attach to the front of electric inserts with magnets, either over the existing glass, or in place of glass, with similar results. Custom fireplace screens may be created in all shapes and sizes, in finishes to suit any décor. Since the flames are electric, and are not live, we don’t need to worry about big overlaps that may obscure the surrounding tile or stone. Overlaps may be kept to a minimum, or you can exactly follow the outline of the insert or fireplace opening, when adding a fireplace screen to an electric fireplace.
Fireplace tools
Fireplace tools are another fireplace accessory designed for wood-burning fireplaces. There is typically a brush for sweeping ashes from the hearth into the fireplace or onto the shovel for clearing out. There are also tongs for lifting logs, or a poker for repositioning logs. When you set these up next to a traditional electric fireplace, they add to the illusion of realism. They are especially effective when you have converted a wood-burning fireplace to electric, and wish to maintain as much of the original appearance as possible.
Electric fireplace reface frames
We are often asked if electric fireplaces come in any other colour than black. The answer is ‘no’. The interiors are black to better reflect the flames, and the outer trims are black for simplicity. If you just can’t live with a black trim, there are custom options available. We call them electric re-faces. They are made to attach to your existing fireplace frame with magnets, and come in over 2-dozen finishes. There are also transitional and craftsman styling details available to further personalize the fireplace to better suit your room design.
As you can see, there is no reason to stick with an off-the-rack electric fireplace, with some many unique accessories available to personalize it.
Stylish Fireplaces knows that adding a fireplace to your home can be challenging. With an electric fireplace and their NFI Certified Hearth Design Specialists, it’s easy to create a space you’ll love to share with family and friends. Check out all the options and connect with their experts for help to find the perfect electric fireplace for you. You’ll live stylishly ever after.