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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No fireplace so what instead?

48 replies

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:25

Our new house has no fireplace in the living room. Anyone else have the same? What did you make the focal point? The tv seems the only option but just putting this out there in case I’m missing something. So if you have no fireplace…what do you have?

OP posts:
BusWankers · 07/07/2025 07:27

You can put in a n electric fire or something?

BlueMum16 · 07/07/2025 07:29

We put a fire in.

Out neighbours have a blank wall. It still looks weird 10 years later

WonderingWanda · 07/07/2025 07:30

Lots of nice looking electric fireplaces out there. I would have one of those.

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:32

BusWankers · 07/07/2025 07:27

You can put in a n electric fire or something?

I thought that…but it would be a complete waste of money as it would be too hot if we put it on…we don’t need the heat. Can you get ones that do not heat??

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Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:32

BlueMum16 · 07/07/2025 07:29

We put a fire in.

Out neighbours have a blank wall. It still looks weird 10 years later

But how did that work with no chimney etc?

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ThePoshUns · 07/07/2025 07:36

We don’t have a fireplace, we took it out. We have 2 radiators so it wasn’t needed. We have a nice tv unit and shelving. It’s a newish house so not sure a fireplace is necessary.

RedSuedePump · 07/07/2025 07:37

We don't have a fire but have a tiled "fireplace" with a wood beam above it on the chimney breast wall. we have candles in there and at halloween / xmas put seasonal stuff in there

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:40

RedSuedePump · 07/07/2025 07:37

We don't have a fire but have a tiled "fireplace" with a wood beam above it on the chimney breast wall. we have candles in there and at halloween / xmas put seasonal stuff in there

There’s not even a chimney breast that’s the thing so we would need to build one to do this…which is a thought…

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LakieLady · 07/07/2025 07:40

A big, beautiful painting.

MellowPinkDeer · 07/07/2025 07:41

I think it very odd that you feel like everyone usually have a fireplace or a something! We built a fireplace / media wall ( we never sit in our living room so a bit pointless really) but I am sure many many homes have nothing !

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:46

LakieLady · 07/07/2025 07:40

A big, beautiful painting.

I like this idea.

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AbzMoz · 07/07/2025 07:49

We’ve got a mantel without a fireplace in it on a chimney breast. It’s in a Victorian style with large built-in cabinets on either side.

When we looked at the house we thought about getting a fire put in but we don’t need it for function. Instead we’ve made that whole wall an art wall - including in and around the mantel. It’s where seasonal flowers / candles etc go too.

minnienono · 07/07/2025 07:51

Tv and hifi system - you quickly get used to it

Itsnottheheatitsthehumidity · 07/07/2025 07:54

I've never had a fireplace in anywhere I've lived.

Currently we have a big wooden shelving unit with lots of knick nacks on? Would that work?

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:58

AbzMoz · 07/07/2025 07:49

We’ve got a mantel without a fireplace in it on a chimney breast. It’s in a Victorian style with large built-in cabinets on either side.

When we looked at the house we thought about getting a fire put in but we don’t need it for function. Instead we’ve made that whole wall an art wall - including in and around the mantel. It’s where seasonal flowers / candles etc go too.

This idea I like as another pp said, there’s no chimney breast or anything either though so it would require a lot of work though…

OP posts:
Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 07:58

Itsnottheheatitsthehumidity · 07/07/2025 07:54

I've never had a fireplace in anywhere I've lived.

Currently we have a big wooden shelving unit with lots of knick nacks on? Would that work?

This could work…would include the tv too I suppose.

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AnchorWHAT · 07/07/2025 08:06

A media wall, google for ideas but son has a wooden ridged feature with tv on like this

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 07/07/2025 08:07

Media wall?

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 08:12

@AnchorWHAT @Didshejustsaythatoutloud ill check that out thank you.

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CanINapNow · 07/07/2025 08:31

A really lovely sideboard to put the tv on. A real statement piece

mumonthehill · 07/07/2025 08:34

We have an electric look wood burner and you can have the flames on so looks lit but with no heat. We had it for years in our old house and we put in an oak mantle above. I now use it in my office at home.

hididdlyho · 07/07/2025 08:35

We don't have a chimney breast, but there was a gas fire installed when we moved in. I've put up a couple of small shelves above it and put a few decorative items on it. If the room is big enough, you could probably get a stud wall chimney breast put in if you like that look.

Nourishinghandcream · 07/07/2025 08:55

Our house did not have s fireplace (or chimney breast) but I always wanted a large, polished limestone one because I think they look gorgeous.
We chose an electric fire which is superbly realistic and like them all, can have the flame effect (or even just a back glow) without producing any heat. The depth of the fire meant that a fake chimney breast was a necessity but it adds to the realism & character and gives us two alcoves in what was otherwise a plain, rectangular room.
The finished result is very impressive and a great feature. In the years since it was installed we have never used the fire for heat but often have the back glow on.

Summerartwitch · 07/07/2025 08:58

There was a gas fire installed when I moved in where the fireplace used to be. I removed it as it was faulty and I put an electric one with flames effects instead and added a decorative fireplace surround around it. I have various paintings above it and some plants on the fireplace surround. Looks OK to me! :).

Kitchenbattle · 07/07/2025 09:33

Nourishinghandcream · 07/07/2025 08:55

Our house did not have s fireplace (or chimney breast) but I always wanted a large, polished limestone one because I think they look gorgeous.
We chose an electric fire which is superbly realistic and like them all, can have the flame effect (or even just a back glow) without producing any heat. The depth of the fire meant that a fake chimney breast was a necessity but it adds to the realism & character and gives us two alcoves in what was otherwise a plain, rectangular room.
The finished result is very impressive and a great feature. In the years since it was installed we have never used the fire for heat but often have the back glow on.

Sounds great 👍

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