What types of fireplaces are there?
Installation of a solid fuel fireplace in urban apartments is not allowed. The only exception is apartments located on the top floor of the building. But in this case, a well-designed chimney is required, facing the street, running through the attic and roof.
For modern apartments, you can choose a wall-mounted or corner fireplace. The second option fits more successfully into a modern interior. Corner designs look more elegant and compact. To make a choice, it is worth understanding the features of the models available to urban residents.
False fireplace
A false fireplace is a structure that imitates a real hearth. Its frame is constructed of plasterboard or brick, and the external finishing is made of the desired material. This model can be installed in any part of the living room, matching the overall style of the room.
It is not uncommon for designers to use artificial fireplaces to decorate a room. They may contain flames drawn with chalk or contain decorative firewood.
Electric fireplaces
Electrical products are easy to use in an apartment. Their main elements are made of wood and glass. This is the best option for those who want to have an analogue of a wood-burning fireplace in their home. At the same time, it does not require a chimney, is easy to maintain and runs on electrical energy.
With the help of a decorative electric fireplace you can illuminate and heat the room. The undeniable advantage of such models is their affordable cost and safety for the health of people and animals. To activate such a device, just plug the plug into a socket and enjoy the beauty, adjusting the heating temperature if necessary.
There are mobile electric fireplaces designed as a heater or humidifier.
Biofireplaces
Biofireplaces are a relatively new device in interior design. It runs on biological fuel in the form of multi-colored granules: solid alcohol, sawdust or bark, compressed peat.
An ideal option for city apartments, given the fact that during operation they emit a minimal amount of carbon dioxide. Accordingly, the installation technology does not require the installation of a chimney or a special ventilation system. When the granules burn, very little ash remains, so maintenance of the bio-fireplace is minimal.
Where to put the fireplace
If you plan to use a working fireplace in the interior of a city apartment, that is, with an open fire or at least simply emitting heat, then it must be installed in such a place that there is no “corridor” between it and the people sitting next to it. The presence of a passage space will disrupt the calmness of vacationers. And since intrusion into the relaxation zone always gives rise to irritation, there is a risk of scandals, which should not be allowed.
Install the fireplace away from drafts
Drafts will have a negative effect on the performance of fireplaces in interiors. This is a warning to the location of fires in areas adjacent to doorways, window structures, and stairs. These rules do not apply to false fireplaces in the interior and models with closed fireboxes.
The combustion space of a working hearth should be clearly visible, so the fireplace should be installed so that the portal “looks” into the center of the room.
Finishing methods
Almost any material can be used for cladding electric or artificial fireplaces, since the surface does not heat up to high temperatures. The most popular finishing materials include:
Tiling
Ceramics occupies a leading position among finishing materials for decorative portals. In addition to high fire resistance, the material is distinguished by a wide range of colors and patterns.
Thanks to the applied glaze, the surface is easy to wet clean and repels moisture. The original shape of the tiles will help make the fireplace the main decorative element of the living room, decorated in any stylistic direction.
Tree
Wood does not have heat-resistant characteristics, but if you follow a number of recommendations, you can easily use it to improve your fireplace:
- The material is pre-impregnated with a special fire retardant;
- The firebox is equipped with a protective screen;
- A ventilation system is provided;
- Not the entire portal is covered with wood, but decorative inserts are made;
- Ash and alder are not used.
Otherwise, there are no contraindications for using wood when decorating a fireplace.
Fake diamond
Artificially created stone is quite popular due to its low cost compared to its natural counterpart and similar characteristics.
The material is moisture resistant and durable and does not require special skills when working. For the same reasons, preference is given to artificial brick.
Plaster
When choosing such a finish you will not have to spend a lot of effort, time and money. The technological process is as simple as possible and no additional strengthening of the structure is required. In this case, it is worth selecting materials that meet fire safety requirements.
A huge range of colors allows you not only to choose a shade that suits the style of the room, but also to easily change it if necessary.
How to install a fireplace
As you can see in the photo, false fireplaces in the interior of an apartment can be installed in several ways.
The location of the devices can be:
- built-in;
- wall;
- island.
A built-in fireplace in the interior of a city apartment has a firebox and smoke exhaust part built into the wall. Arranging such an option is justified in housing that is being renovated, as it will require the design of a special niche in the wall. This installation method is the most economical, since there is no need to allocate usable space for the fireplace.
Built-in fireplace in the apartment
In a wall-mounted fireplace, the functional part is masked by a false wall, which allows you to install it in a room that is ready for use. It can be moved to a corner or made double-sided, capable of heating the space of adjacent rooms. But still, the ideal location for a wall-type fireplace remains the middle of the wall.
Wall-mounted fireplace in the living room
An island fireplace in the interior of a city apartment is rare, as it requires a large space and arrangement of the podium. A fireplace that is open on all sides and fits organically into the space will amaze with its presentability.
Island fireplace
No matter how the fireplace is installed in the interior of a city apartment, there should be room next to it to organize a relaxation corner, and its firebox should be visible.
What to look for when purchasing:
To make the right choice when buying an electric fireplace for the living room, it is not enough just to decide on the design. In this case, a few professional tips will help:
- Power. The degree of heating of the room will depend on this indicator. If the device is assigned not only a decorative function, the power should be calculated based on the area of the hall;
- Size. An important point, since its location and the arrangement of other pieces of furniture depend on its dimensions;
- Designer design. When choosing exterior decoration, you need to build on the general stylistic direction in the room and apartment;
- An additional advantage will be the ability to adjust the brightness of the flame and temperature;
- If possible, you should give preference to a model equipped with an air humidification and aromatization system.
Following simple recommendations will allow you to choose a fireplace that will not only decorate the living room and heat it, but will also make the interior much more comfortable and harmonious.
Zoning the interior with a fireplace
“With some layouts, electric and bio-fireplaces in the interior of an apartment may appear simultaneously in several rooms”
Built-in fireplaces in the interior of an apartment can play a far from decorative role. They can be turned into multifunctional furnishings. With this tool it is easy to transform the living space of your home into thematic zones.
A room will become stunningly voluminous, light and airy if its interior includes a bio-fireplace inserted into a glass partition. This is a wonderful way to break it down. With some layouts, electric and bio-fireplaces in the interior of an apartment may appear simultaneously in several rooms. This will allow you to create several mini recreation areas at once, allowing all family members to simultaneously bask in the waves of heat.
Zoning an apartment using a fireplace
It is advisable to arrange a three-sided fireplace in such a way as to use it with maximum efficiency. All protruding parts should be arranged as shelves, on which it is convenient to display decorative items. A fireplace in the interior of a small room should occupy a corner space. Involving the passive parts of the walls in the decorating process will contribute to the visual expansion of the room space and fill it with lightness.
Shelves in the fireplace niche
The appearance of any false fireplace in the interior will make even the most emotionally restrained home environment warm, so this solution is worth taking a closer look at.
Fireplace in the interior of the apartment (photo selection)
See our collection of photos, which presents modern solutions on how to place a fireplace in the living room of an ordinary apartment. Various materials, styles and types of useful accessories that will bring a piece of warmth to your cozy home.
Features of lighting interiors with fireplaces
Since the hearth should remain the dominant source of light in the interior with a fireplace in an apartment, the use of bright additional lighting becomes inappropriate. The light of a chandelier, for example, will completely kill all the comfort in the atmosphere of the room.
In a room with a fireplace, use soft light
To avoid such problems, it is necessary to organize soft lighting, the source of which can be a floor lamp with a dense, light-diffusing lampshade or LED lamps built into the ceiling frieze, the brightness of which can be adjusted. But the most romantic atmosphere in the interior of a room with a false fireplace will, of course, be created by candles.
Candles in a false fireplace will create a cozy atmosphere
Fireplace in the interior of a country house
Below are photos of how you can implement and organize a fireplace in a country cottage. The favorite place where all relatives gather on weekends should radiate warmth and love. Get inspired and take ideas home with you.
DIY fireplace: false fireplace, artificial fireplace and imitation fireplace
False fireplaces
For people with a rich imagination and a burning desire to create an original design for a living room with a fireplace, but who do not have enough funds, there is a good alternative for arranging all of the above options, and it consists in installing a false fireplace. There is nothing seditious in the meaning of this term, however, it is also warming. False fireplaces act only as decoration.
Fireplaces for apartments: plasterboard fireplace
A portal made by yourself (from plasterboard, facing bricks, etc.) will decorate any living room. Place firewood collected in a pyramid, large candles or photographs of your loved ones in it - and you will see that this fireplace will make you warmer than a real one.
False fireplace in children's design
Stylish bathroom with a beautiful fireplace
A false fireplace decorated with candles will make your room irresistible
A fireplace that performs only a decorative function in a boho style interior
Eco-style in living room design
Advice! To visually create depth, use the interior decoration of the portal in darker colors, and attach a mirror surface to the back wall. When lighting a candle, the reflected light will create the desired depth effect.
Fireplaces for the home: division by type of placement
The fireplace has long ceased to be just a means of heating the room
Metal fireplace near a cozy chair in a country interior
To brighten up the interior a little, add bright accents to it.
Types of modern fireplaces for apartments
Apartment decor allows for various options for the design of the hearth. These are wood-burning, electric, bio-fireplaces, gas, decorative, equipped with functioning hobs.
Decorative
“False” options are usually molded portals with a non-functioning hearth. The flame here is painted on canvas, printed using a 3D printer. Sometimes there are several logs inside, real candles, and LED lamps. The structure itself can be used to store books and small items if equipped with sliding opaque doors.
Today, the main purpose of the fireplace has faded into the background, and the main purpose has become to give the room a special atmosphere of comfort.
Electric fireplaces
Installing an electric fireplace in a city apartment is not at all difficult - usually you just have to install an additional outlet. The design itself is a portal with a built-in electric firebox. Some devices can believably imitate fire, making the sounds of crackling firewood, while heating the house. When purchasing, pay attention to the material of manufacture and the weight of the product - excessively heavy objects can only be installed on the first floors of the building; for the rest, lightweight options are purchased.
Only people of very high income could afford a fireplace, and therefore a strong attitude towards this part of the interior was established as an element of luxurious life.
The main advantage of the design is that it does not require a chimney or firewood, and the cost is relatively low. The product provides heat by converting electric current, which is especially convenient in the autumn-spring period, when the heating has not yet been turned on or has already been turned off.
Biofireplaces
The device works by burning biofuel - pressed bark, sawdust, peat, solid alcohol. This is the most modern solution for city apartments. Installation does not require any special permits, construction of a chimney, connection of a hood, or installation of electrical wiring. The bio-fireplace is placed in any convenient place, but more often it is hung on the wall.
A significant disadvantage is the price of special eco-fireplace fuel.
Tip: the most popular design is one that is as similar as possible to a real fireplace.
Gas
A fireplace structure that runs on gas requires special permission from gas workers. Placement, with a few exceptions, is permissible only in well-ventilated non-residential rooms. You need to think in advance where the gas cylinder will be located, how to carefully disguise it - placing it close to the fireplace is prohibited.
The presence of a fireplace allows for the most interesting design solutions to be implemented in the apartment.
Wood burning
A wood-burning fireplace is a real hearth. It is built from fireproof materials - stone, brick, metal. It will not be possible to create it everywhere, since it will require a number of permits, strengthening of floors (the product weighs a lot), construction of a chimney, and sufficient free space. It is prohibited to mount such a structure in load-bearing walls, and when placed near interior walls, the object sticks out greatly.
The most popular are island designs; wall, corner, and built-in designs are less common.
With hob
The design is classified as solid fuel and is usually located in the kitchen. Such a hearth is made of metal; the upper part has a special plane for cooking.
In some cases, a fireplace is not only a tribute to fashion and decoration of a room, but also a source of warmth and comfort.
