Decorating
12 Fireplaces and Wood-burning Stoves to Totally Covet
Brrr! It’s chilly out there. What better to welcome you home than a roaring fire…
Between them, these fireplaces and wood-burners tick all the boxes – from elegant to rustic, Scandi to ultra-modern, there’s one for every taste. You’ll feel toastier just looking at them. Let us know your favourite style in the Comments below.
The homely one
The cosy factor of this lovely little living room is upped immensely by that oh-so-inviting fire. Now all that’s needed is a pot of tea and some buttered crumpets and jam.
A bare brick wall always adds character, and this one – which gracefully reveals its age – ensures the wood-burner takes centre stage in this space. (If you’re stripping back a wall to its bricks, ensure you check your local building regulations and, if all’s well, coat it with a sealant that’ll prevent the surface crumbling off.)
The cosy factor of this lovely little living room is upped immensely by that oh-so-inviting fire. Now all that’s needed is a pot of tea and some buttered crumpets and jam.
A bare brick wall always adds character, and this one – which gracefully reveals its age – ensures the wood-burner takes centre stage in this space. (If you’re stripping back a wall to its bricks, ensure you check your local building regulations and, if all’s well, coat it with a sealant that’ll prevent the surface crumbling off.)
The pale and interesting one
If a classic black wood-burning stove just doesn’t cut it with the neutral tones of your living room, how about a stylish cream number like this one? The unfussy design works beautifully in this pared-back, rustic room, and the log-stashing space underneath is a neat touch.
This type of stove would also work well in an interior that layers whites and off-whites for a relaxed, minimal effect.
If a classic black wood-burning stove just doesn’t cut it with the neutral tones of your living room, how about a stylish cream number like this one? The unfussy design works beautifully in this pared-back, rustic room, and the log-stashing space underneath is a neat touch.
This type of stove would also work well in an interior that layers whites and off-whites for a relaxed, minimal effect.
The one at the foot of the bed
Here, the layers of whites and off-whites idea is worked beautifully with a fireplace rather than a wood-burner – and can you picture a more peaceful, inviting place for early nights this winter?
Lots of Houzzers post in the advice section about how to tackle inherited fire surrounds they’re not keen on. If you’re brave enough to paint yours white, this is the sort of reward you can look forward to. Be sure to get expert advice on the type(s) of paint to use for your project – there are different, specialist heat- and soot-friendly varieties for fireplaces, fire surrounds and stoves.
Here, the layers of whites and off-whites idea is worked beautifully with a fireplace rather than a wood-burner – and can you picture a more peaceful, inviting place for early nights this winter?
Lots of Houzzers post in the advice section about how to tackle inherited fire surrounds they’re not keen on. If you’re brave enough to paint yours white, this is the sort of reward you can look forward to. Be sure to get expert advice on the type(s) of paint to use for your project – there are different, specialist heat- and soot-friendly varieties for fireplaces, fire surrounds and stoves.
The kitchen cosy-er
Where do you spend most of your time at home? Chances are it’s in the kitchen, and yet (unless you’re lucky enough to have a blazing bedroom, as just seen) it’s typically the living room that gets all the fireplace love in a house. This smart, boxy design is also at the perfect height to keep you warm while cooking or washing up.
You’d need an existing chimney for something like this, but if you’re building a new kitchen extension, it could be something worth exploring with your architect.
Where do you spend most of your time at home? Chances are it’s in the kitchen, and yet (unless you’re lucky enough to have a blazing bedroom, as just seen) it’s typically the living room that gets all the fireplace love in a house. This smart, boxy design is also at the perfect height to keep you warm while cooking or washing up.
You’d need an existing chimney for something like this, but if you’re building a new kitchen extension, it could be something worth exploring with your architect.
Here’s another interesting take on the raised-up kitchen fireplace idea. Are you warming to it?
The bright one
If you’re building a fireplace from scratch and don’t have the restrictions of an existing chimney breast, then why be traditional? The owners of this modern rustic home in France certainly haven’t been and have created a striking centrepiece, as well as a cosy focal point for their living space, by making it big and painting it bright orange.
If you’re building a fireplace from scratch and don’t have the restrictions of an existing chimney breast, then why be traditional? The owners of this modern rustic home in France certainly haven’t been and have created a striking centrepiece, as well as a cosy focal point for their living space, by making it big and painting it bright orange.
The one with bedside manners
What could be better on a chilly morning than waking up next to a beauty like this contemporary white wood-burning stove?
For the ultimate in modern minimalism, seek out a toughened, heat-resistant glass hearth, as seen here.
The beauty of a wood-burner is that it doesn’t necessarily need an existing chimney structure, simply access to an external wall – making it a brilliant way to add not only warmth but also a characterful feature to new-builds or mid- to late-20th century houses.
What could be better on a chilly morning than waking up next to a beauty like this contemporary white wood-burning stove?
For the ultimate in modern minimalism, seek out a toughened, heat-resistant glass hearth, as seen here.
The beauty of a wood-burner is that it doesn’t necessarily need an existing chimney structure, simply access to an external wall – making it a brilliant way to add not only warmth but also a characterful feature to new-builds or mid- to late-20th century houses.
The tub toaster
Forget that chilly dash from your bath to your towel – a grand bathroom fireplace like this one will keep your temperature comfortable throughout your ablutions.
And if you’re going to choose a marvellous marble surround of this ilk, well, it’d be rude not to have a giant freestanding bath to balance things out.
Forget that chilly dash from your bath to your towel – a grand bathroom fireplace like this one will keep your temperature comfortable throughout your ablutions.
And if you’re going to choose a marvellous marble surround of this ilk, well, it’d be rude not to have a giant freestanding bath to balance things out.
The two-faced one
This wonderful country home belonging to best-selling author Freya North has perhaps the ultimate wood-burning stove situation: access from both sides. This set-up is perfect for cosying up a ‘broken-plan’ space.
Do check local regulations before rushing out to buy a wood-burner, though, since many areas don’t permit the burning of wood. If that’s the case for your area, don’t despair – there are many convincing electric versions on the market worth a look.
Get inspiration for going broken-plan
This wonderful country home belonging to best-selling author Freya North has perhaps the ultimate wood-burning stove situation: access from both sides. This set-up is perfect for cosying up a ‘broken-plan’ space.
Do check local regulations before rushing out to buy a wood-burner, though, since many areas don’t permit the burning of wood. If that’s the case for your area, don’t despair – there are many convincing electric versions on the market worth a look.
Get inspiration for going broken-plan
The design feature
This unusual angular structure features on Danish Houzz. (Did you know you can switch countries using the flags at the bottom of your screen?) Trust those stylish Danes to come up with a fireplace with clean white lines and several spaces for displaying curated objets.
If you’re starting from scratch, or have bought a home where the original fireplace has been ripped out, take inspiration from this to try something a little different. It works beautifully in classic Scandi white, but it could look equally striking in black, or tiled, too.
This unusual angular structure features on Danish Houzz. (Did you know you can switch countries using the flags at the bottom of your screen?) Trust those stylish Danes to come up with a fireplace with clean white lines and several spaces for displaying curated objets.
If you’re starting from scratch, or have bought a home where the original fireplace has been ripped out, take inspiration from this to try something a little different. It works beautifully in classic Scandi white, but it could look equally striking in black, or tiled, too.
The Scandi one
Alternatively, be inspired by a more traditional take on the Nordic fireplace: this Swedish wood-burner, or ‘kakelugn’, is a classic. This style dates back to the 18th century and has a clever design that uses minimal wood to create maximum heat. The originals are few and far between, but you can find some good reproductions on the market.
Which of these styles do you covet for your home – or do you have the perfect fireplace already? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
Alternatively, be inspired by a more traditional take on the Nordic fireplace: this Swedish wood-burner, or ‘kakelugn’, is a classic. This style dates back to the 18th century and has a clever design that uses minimal wood to create maximum heat. The originals are few and far between, but you can find some good reproductions on the market.
Which of these styles do you covet for your home – or do you have the perfect fireplace already? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments below.
This glorious drawing room is the epitome of period house chic. The inky blue walls are bang up to date, yet also heritage-friendly, and picking out the fire surround and chairs in white gives the space a crisp edge. (For a moodier, enveloping atmosphere, you could keep everything dark.)
This hearth would be a dreamy spot for a tot of whisky and some refined fireside chat.
Check out more ways to work inky dark walls