Which Types of Rooms Can You Install a Fireplace in Your Home? 

The warmth and classic glow of a bespoke fireplace can be the design feature that truly transforms a house into a home. Once you have made the choice to add a fireplace into your interior design, the next question will likely be, where should it go?

In this article we have all the answers to your fireplace installation questions, breaking down the types of fireplaces that can be installed into an existing home and where in your home you can add a fireplace to set the room aglow.

Can a Fireplace be Installed in an Existing Home?

In short, yes. Whether a fireplace can be installed in an existing property is one of the most common questions we are asked at Modus fireplaces. Whilst there are considerations to be had about the process of installation and the cost of modifying a room to accommodate a fireplace, it is of course possible to do.

Existing homes can have fireplaces installed, sometimes with minimal intervention or restructuring if the fireplace does not require a chimney as is the case for electric or bioethanol fireplaces. As with all home improvement projects, the feasibility of installing a fireplace should be assessed by a structural specialist to discern if your home has the required structure to support your wanted design.

Factors to Consider When Installing a Fireplace in Your Home

Making the choice of which fireplace to install in your home can revolve around five key factors:

Space 

How much space does the type of fireplace you want require and can your home accommodate it? Fireplaces can require a certain room size for safety precautions so keeping the space you have in mind is essential. 

Ventilation Requirements 

Will the fireplace require a chimney or other ventilation system and can your room accommodate this requirement? Not all fireplace types require the same amount of ventilation, so you can make your choice in accordance with your needs. 

Visual Design 

What do you want your fireplace to look like? Are you looking for a true flame that may have certain safety requirements or would you like a more modern looking imitation flame?

Warmth Factors 

To what extent do you want your fireplace to produce heating in your home? Not all fireplaces are built equally when it comes to heat output, so considering if you want your room to be heated through this medium will be important. 

Fuel Type

What do you want to fuel the fireplaces in your home? Factors such as cost, efficiency and sustainability of fuel types can all be considered during this process. 

Types of Fireplaces That can be Installed in an Existing Home

At Modus we have expertise in installing a range of fireplace types to suit a variety of needs. Here are a selection of options to be installed in an existing home. 

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

The most traditional of fireplace types and perhaps the one that first comes to mind when considering a fireplace in your home, the wood-burning fireplace. Wood burning fireplaces can produce a good amount of heat and also have a beautiful audible element that can be very comforting from the regular sounds of the wood burning away. 

When choosing wood as your fuel, you need to ensure that the space you wish to install the fireplace can support the additional construction of a chimney or vent for the smoke produced to escape. Adequate ventilation in the room itself can also be important for safety considerations with this type of fireplace.

Gas Fireplaces

Opting for gas fireplaces can be a flexible option for installing a fireplace in an existing home.

With two main types of gas fireplace, enclosed and open fronted, you can find a range of designs that can suit the style of your home. Due to the clean-burning propertied of gas fireplaces, they are a higher efficiency option in your home.

These fireplaces will require adequate ventilation and so ensuring you have the space and infrastructure to support this will be important. 

Bioethanol Fireplaces

The use of bioethanol fuel in fireplaces opens up endless possibilities for their placement in the home. Because of the properties of this fuel, these fireplaces do not require a chimney and only require an electrical point for installation. This makes them very easy to install and adaptable to any room within the home.

Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are one of the most adaptable fireplace options for your home. As a unit, they are very compact and can pretty much be installed anywhere within an existing home.

Using LED technology and water vapour, electric fireplaces create the illusion of flames meaning they are the safest option for any home. 

Whilst they do not radiate any heat, the look of an electric fireplace can bring instant cosiness to a room and warmer visuals and are always an option when other fireplace types may have been ruled out. 

Outdoor Fireplaces

When considering a space to install a fireplace in your home, why not turn your mind to the outdoors? Outdoor fireplaces can take a variety of forms and we have outlined some of our favourite bespoke outdoor fireplace designs on our blog.

They can be fueled by a range of options from natural wood, to propane or natural gas, making them very adaptable to your needs.

Installation considerations to keep in mind will be whether you have a suitable hard surfaced area in your garden for the fireplace, and whether you have the space to create a seating area around it.

Fuel will need to be stored in a safe place that is not too exposed to the elements, so this should also be planned for when choosing an outdoor fireplace. 

Rooms you can Install a Fireplace

Living Room

Perhaps the most classic location for a fireplace within the home is the living room. The space in which the family comes together, relaxes and can enjoy leisure time is elevated through having a fireside to congregate around. 

The living room offers a great opportunity to install traditional wood-burning fireplaces as they tend to have the space to accommodate a chimney. For homeowners wanting more convenient and efficient fireplace options, gas or electric fireplaces can also bring the glow that completes a living room.

Bedroom

Fireplaces are commonly found in bedrooms in historic homes as they were required to perform the function of heating the spaces where families would sleep. Today we may not require the warmth of a fireplace to keep us comfortable in our bedrooms, but the addition of a fireplace can be a comforting feature that creates a truly relaxing ambience.

Optimal fireplace choices for bedrooms include gas and electric fireplaces, as these have higher levels of safety as well as the added convenience of being turned off at will, not having to wait for them to burn out. 

Dining Room

When we come together to eat, the flicker of a fireplace can make the setting all the more romantic, cosy and homely. Including a fireplace in your dining room can really complete the space.

The dining room is the space in which you can make a real impression and where you will most likely be hosting guests. With this in mind, it can be a good room in which to experiment – we recommend opting for bespoke fireplace designs for ultimate luxury and to make a real statement in your home. 

Kitchen

Much like the dining room, the kitchen can be a space in the house to gather, eat together and enjoy the warmth of a fireplace. Installing a fireplace in your kitchen can also harken back to historical house designs where a fireplace was essential for the preparation and cooking of food in a household. 

For this nostalgia factor and to make a kitchen a more inviting and communal space, a fireplace can really complete a kitchen design. High efficiency gas fireplaces can be a good option for the kitchen as they won’t take up too much space, allowing you to install all the amenities you need for using this space. 

Home Offices

As remote work becomes increasingly popular, creating a productive and inspiring home office is essential. A fireplace can add a sense of calm and creativity to your workspace. Choose a design that reflects your professional aesthetic—whether it’s modern, rustic, or anything in between.

Basements

Transforming a basement into a cosy den or entertainment area is made even better with a fireplace. This often-overlooked space can become a warm gathering spot for movie nights or casual get-togethers. A bespoke fireplace can be the perfect touch to elevate the space.

Outdoor Spaces

Choosing where to install a fireplace need not be confined to the interior of your home, as outdoor fireplaces can also be a great option. Bringing a fireplace outside can emulate the nostalgia of sitting by the fireside in the evening, bringing cosiness outdoors!
Outdoor fireplace designs can be very diverse, from outdoor fireboxes to gas fire tables and even outdoor electric fireplaces – you can find a fireplace to suit your garden’s design and style.

Find Your Perfect Bespoke Fireplace for Your Home With Modus

Having considered the full range of fireplace types and the rooms you can install them in, you have all the information you need to choose the perfect fireplace for your home!

At Modus Fireplaces we specialise in the design and installation of luxury fireplaces in homes and businesses in the UK. With 30 years of experience, we specialise in exceptionally safe and sleek bespoke designs that transform spaces. 

If you would like to bring the warmth of a Modus Fireplace into your home, contact us to begin your unique design journey today! 

Subject to the room of installation, the fireplace type and any specific intricacies related to your property there will be some restrictions or adaptations that will be required to ensure the fireplace is installed safely and in line with building regs. Get in touch with a Design Consultant for more information.