Get cosy with these open fireplace ideas this winter

With the right open fireplace ideas you can create a stunning focal point that instantly adds character to any area of the home, whether you are living in a period property or a brand new modern house. 

We've been busy tracking down beautiful fireplace ideas to provide you with plenty of inspiration, whether you have discovered a disused fireplace opening that has been boarded up while renovating, or are building from scratch and want to ensure your new home feels warm and welcoming. 

We also have lots of ideas for homeowners who prefer the idea of using their open fireplace to house a stove of some type, which can seem like a more energy efficient way of introducing a secondary heat source into a room. 

Are open fireplace ideas right for you?

While the sight of a roaring open fire is hard to beat in terms of the charm and warmth it brings to a room, open fires are not for everyone. In fact, for many people, the choice tends to come down to open fire vs log burner, or even an alternative such as gas fire, electric or bioethanol. 

"In terms of energy efficiency, a wood burning stove is likely to be better than 65% efficient, while an open fire is 30% efficient at best," explains expert in sustainable building methods and energy efficiency Tim Pullen. "The efficiency of an open fire also needs to factor in its effect on the airtightness of a home.  In a room 5m x 5m x 2.4m, insulated to Building Regulations' standard, including airtightness, the peak heat demand for that room will be a little over 1.2kW. Add an open fireplace and the airtightness in that room plummets and the peak heat demand rises to 2.9kW."

You do need to take this into account when deciding what kind of open fireplace ideas will suit you.

1. Restore what you have

If you are lucky enough to find an original fireplace when renovating a house then you should do all you can to restore it. Restoring a fireplace is usually much cheaper than buying an entirely new one but, more importantly, it is a fantastic way of adding a sense of authenticity and history to your home — a nod to its past.

In this beautiful house, a renovated period farmhouse that once served as an isolation hospital, where original feature were missing or beyond repair, the owners spent a lot of time scouring salvage yards for suitable replacements. 

2. Take a modern approach to the arch

Although arched fireplaces are often seen in traditional designs, they can also make fantastic modern fireplace ideas — in fact, with their gentle curves they can provide a nice contrast to very sleek, minimalist spaces, softening the whole look beautifully. 

This fresh, all-white living room manages to feel welcoming and snug thanks to the fact that there are plenty of rounded features, including the alcoves, furniture and, of course, the fireplace design. 

3. Go grand with chunky stone

Stone fireplace ideas suit all kinds of houses, from very traditional and grand properties to those aiming for a ski lodge feel. That said, there is no reason why they can't fit in with contemporary schemes too with the right approach.  

In this room, however, the gorgeous chunky creamy-coloured stone fireplace, with matching hearth, exudes charm, warmth and period character and is perfectly matched to the column radiators and elegant sash windows that also grace the space. 

4. Use stone in a modern way

Sticking with the stone fireplace theme, there are some brilliant ways to use stone in a way that looks fresh and modern — and a million miles apart from those intricately-carved designs that are often seen gracing period properties. 

Stick to clean lines and keep things fuss free for a fresh, pared-back look. Here, the simple near-white stone surround and hearth have been paired with split face stone tiles used to line the fire opening ensuring the final look is one that manages to feel full of texture and interest without being overly fussy. The hidden lighting adds even more depth.

5. Keep brick exposed for a rustic look

The warmth and texture of brick fireplace ideas can really add so much to a room, injecting it with a slightly rustic, country cosy feel. 

There are actually many different ways to create a brick fireplace. In some cases you may just be able to strip away the plasterwork of your existing chimney breast and clean up the bricks beneath. Brick slips are an easy way to make-over a chimney breast or surround or you might like to start from scratch. 

In this example, the entire fireplace has been constructed from rich brown bricks, while a reassuringly solid oak mantle tops the whole thing off. 

6. Create a warm feeling in the bathroom

Fireplaces in bathrooms instantly add a sense of warmth — even when they are not lit. In many renovations of period properties, it is common to find fireplaces in bathrooms. Original fireplaces in bathrooms also crop up where a bedroom has been converted into a bathroom — often the case where there is no first floor bathroom, making it necessary to sacrifice a bedroom to make way for one. 

The first floor of this Edwardian house was reorganised as part of its renovation to create a new family bathroom — the rolltop bath and black brassware sit really well with the original old fireplace.  

7. Fill an empty fireplace with an electric stove

If the thought of clearing out ash, cleaning the glass of stove doors or having to buy logs or fuel for a real fire don't appeal, you might like to consider filling an open fireplace with an electric stove instead. 

Here, the large fireplace opening has been painted an inky shade of blue all over while a small 1500W electric stove from VonHaus provides a low maintenance, portable heat source. 

8. Incorporate some log storage into your design

Log store ideas don't have to be reserved for outside. Keep firewood close to hand and stacked in a neat and tidy way as well as turning it into a bit of a feature by including somewhere to store it within your open fireplace design. 

Here, the hole-in-the-wall fireplace sits above a useful nook that makes the perfect place to keep logs or kindling warm, dry and ready for use. Note too how the alcoves to either side of the chimney breast have been used to place handy shelves. 

9. Cut down on maintenance with a smart fire

Those keen to avoid the maintenance of a real fire can still enjoy flickering flames and a good heat output in their fireplace — as well as easy control over the whole set up. 

This smart fire might not be fuelled by logs but it still a great focal point. With a heat output of up to 1.5kW, the Opulus 16" from Charlton & Jenrick Ltd features realistic flames along with a whole host of other extras. Shown here with the Beckford Limestone Surround, the woodland log set, with pulsating log lights, creates an eye catching feature. In fact there are 16 different colour options each available in five mood settings — all of which can be controlled using an app, which also allows you to turn on a crackle sound effect. 

10. Pair a traditional surround with a modern stove

Sometimes a complete contrast in styles can work really well — highlighting each feature due to the juxtaposition. This is particularly true when it comes to fire surrounds and the fire that sits within them. 

Here, an original Edwardian fireplace has been restored and fitted with a modern log burning stove. The result is that the details of the decorative surround remain the stars of the show, while the pared-back and refined design of the stove sit in crisp contrast.

11. Match a cast iron all-in-one design with a simple surround

Antique cast iron combination fireplaces are complete fireplaces, all-in-one. While no separate surround is always required, it can be if you wish. Some come complete with tiled cheeks and a mantle, while others, such as this one can sit happily behind a surround and can incorporate your own mantlepiece ideas. 

While it is a real treat to find an original one ready to be enjoyed in an old house, it is also possible to find many restored antiques and replicas if your's is missing. 

12. Line your opening with stone tiles

The materials that you choose to create your fireplace back panel ideas, or to line your opening with, will have a huge effect on the final appearance of the whole feature. 

Split face stone tiles are a brilliant option, adding plenty of texture and really drawing the eye towards your fireplace. Split face tiles come in all kinds of colours and finishes, from those with a little sparkle to slate versions that add a good dramatic finish. 

Here, the Portway Arundel Deluxe Wood Burning Multifuel Ecodesign Stove from Direct Stoves is shown in an opening that has been lined with creamy-coloured stone.  

13. Inject contemporary style by going full width

An open fire that spans the entire width of the chimney breast will really pack a visual punch and is perfect for those after contemporary chimney breast ideas with a difference. 

In this living room, the Luminosa 150 from Charlton & Jenrick Ltd has been installed. This is an electric fire that it is possible to install in three aspects, making it ideal for a media wall, feature wall or dividing wall.

14. Use a dainty all-in-one design as a focal point

Cast iron combination fireplaces were common during the Edwardian era. Larger, more elaborate designs tended to be reserved for ground floor, more 'public' rooms, such as the living or dining rooms, while bedrooms were often fitted with smaller models. 

In this Edwardian renovation project, the original fireplaces have been restored wherever possible — and this dainty little design makes the perfect addition to the new bathroom.  

15. Use an empty fireplace as a decorative feature

After some alternatives to fireplaces? There is no reason why a fireplace has to be fitted with a fire at all. In fact, homeowners are getting more and more adventurous with how they use empty fireplaces, turning these unused spaces into eye-catching features.

Here, the elegant arched former fireplace has been painted in diagonal candy stripes and is now used to house a chunky wooden storage chest. 

16. Strip back a stone fireplace to its former glory

Stone fireplaces provide an instant hit of grandeur and importance to a room and if you are lucky enough to have one already in place in your renovation project, or happen to find one lurking beneath old plaster or paintwork, then bringing it back to its former glory will be well worth it. 

In the living room of this old cottage, the original Bath stone fire surround was covered up. The owners carefully stripped it back and it now forms the focal point of the room. A slate hearth and chunky wood burning stove complete the look.