Style guide for fireplace walls to suit every taste and every room.
Electric fireplaces are truly the simplest of all fireplaces around which to design a fireplace wall, which is why designers and homeowners alike are embracing them for their projects. We’ve put together a table to illustrate some of the features and benefits of electric fireplaces.
| Fireplace Feature | Design Benefit |
|---|---|
| Electric fireplaces are zero-clearance, which means that there is no risk of fire to the wall materials because there is no combustion inside the fireplace. | Build with any materials you like. |
| An electric fireplace will not heat up the wall or blow excessive heat onto objects above the fireplace. | Go ahead and hang your TV or artwork above the fireplace. |
| Electric fireplaces come in a huge range of sizes, in modern linear shapes as well as square traditional shapes, so there is literally an electric fireplace for any wall in any room. | Get the fireplace size that works best in your space. |
First, pick your fireplace style
With electric fireplaces, wall design ideas are limited only by your imagination and the type of fireplace you choose. We’re sharing some of our favourite client projects from across Canada. To make it easier for you to zero in on the one that’s right for you, we’ve sorted them by type of fireplace:
- Square Traditional fireplace inserts
- Modern Linear fireplaces
- Water Vapour fireplaces
- Wall-mounted fireplaces
Designing with Traditional Fireplace Inserts
Modern Library with Traditional Fireplace
This wall idea was shared by a customer in St-Lambert, Quebec. It features the Dimplex Revillusion REV30-HB electric fireplace insert. Note the unembellished chimney breast and fireplace surround, flanked by simple open shelves full of books. We think it is cozy and modern at the same time, thanks to the somewhat rakish rows of books. It actually looks like someone reads the books and they aren’t just there for decoration.
Cozy Townhouse with Traditional Fireplace
For a young Toronto family, the request was for a traditional fireplace that looked like it was always there. By adding an overmantel to the wall above the fireplace cabinet, the effect of a chimney breast was created. This adds authenticity to the fireplace design, as well as creating an ideal backdrop for the clock. The Dimplex Revillusion REV30-HB with birch logs (no longer available) is surrounded by natural stone. The white millwork appears to be part of the architecture of the home.
Designing with Linear Fireplaces
Boutique Hotel with Linear Fireplace
For the suites in this boutique hotel and spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, designed by Lisa Levick, fireplace walls were used as dividers between sleeping and sitting areas. The fireplace is the Dimplex Prism BLF5051 (recently replaced with the Vital Sense model), which nicely balances the TV above. Having a wooden beam below the fireplace turns typical fireplace design on its head. The beam adds visual weight to the fireplace, while mimicking a hearth. Having the TV in a niche minimizes it, while the raised molding around the fireplace gives it more importance.
Italian Millwork with Statement Fireplace
Resource Furniture specializes in Italian cabinetry. For this fireplace design, they created an asymmetrical wall using cabinets in charcoal gray and woodgrain. Because the Modern Flames Orion fireplace is zero-clearance, there is no wasted space around the fireplace. The client may store or show off whatever they like in the closed cupboards and open cubbies.
Condo Living Room with Floating Fireplace
Condos demand rigorous space planning and multi-function fireplace walls. This design by Intrinsic Studio Collective features high-contrast materials in pale grey and walnut-brown. By floating the fireplace cabinet on the plank backdrop, the designers avoided blocking the HVAC vent and access panel to the left. They also created hidden storage inside the cabinet, on either side of the fireplace. Wires and cables may be hidden behind the wood plank wall, and electronics may be tucked inside the cabinet, for an uncluttered look. The fireplace is the Dimplex Ignite XLF50.
Open Concept with Custom Fireplace Cabinets
For this suburban condo, the clients asked for a fireplace with TV above, as well as some hidden storage and open shelves. In order to accommodate storage below the hearth ledge, the fireplace and hearth were raised off the floor. Flat doors flip down tor reveal hidden storage. Above those storage cupboards are open display shelves. Art on the wall to the left of the TV is balanced by floating shelves to the right of the TV. Oversize tiles mimic the effect of a single slab of stone. The fireplace is the Dimplex Ignite XLF74.
Designing with Water Vapour Fireplaces
Downtown Condo with European Fireplace
Designer Rosalia Fazzari used Dimplex Optimyst cassettes to create this luxe European-style open-flame fireplace for a Toronto condo. High-gloss, high-contrast materials and simple lines keep it modern. Mist flames created with tap water are perfectly safe below the TV. Rosalia has positioned the fireplace so that her clients can enjoy the fireplace and the view at the same time.
Room Divider with See-through Fireplace
Designer Louis Tai created a dividing wall using the Dimplex Optimyst cassette in a see-through configuration. The wall creates a warm welcome while also helping to delineate the sitting area. Having a TV above the fireplace is perfectly safe, as the flames are created with mist from tap water. The floating cabinet lightens the look of the wall while allowing critical air flow into the bottom of the cassette, to allow for optimal mist production. The mix of pale wood, dark grey, and veined stone is modern and trendy.
Designing with Wall-Mounted Fireplaces
West Coast Kitchen with No-Construction Fireplace
A client in Victoria, B.C., sent us a photo of her fireplace wall, featuring the Napoleon Pictura wall-mounted electric fireplace. Pictura is made to hang on the wall, and is not meant to be built-in. To create a commanding feature, the entire wall was tiled, and a ledge was run across the lower part of the wall. At just 6.5-inches deep, the Pictura easily rests on the ledge, and becomes the focal point of the wall. While the Pictura has been discontinued, you could recreate this look with the Napoleon Astound Flexmount.
Summary: 9 Electric Fireplace Wall Ideas
To design your ideal fireplace wall, you first need to choose your favourite electric fireplace style:
- Square Traditional fireplace inserts
- Modern Linear fireplaces
- Water Vapour fireplaces
- Wall-mounted fireplaces
Then, browse design ideas for that fireplace style. These project ideas can help you to discover what you like and don’t like for your fireplace wall.