No fireplace so what instead?

[Kitchenbattle]

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?

We got a half height bookcase ( trying to not say nice because of course it should be one you like) and have a few nice ( argh) ornaments on the top including vase for flowers

Same situation here, I’m going for a statement sideboard and a gilt framed Samsung tv (it’s a picture when it’s turned off!)

I lived in a Victorian house with beautiful open fire for over 25 years. Had to downsize and rent, there is a chimney breast but it’s plain. If it wasn’t a rental, I’d have put a decent surround in with overmantel mirror and candles etc - but I’ve got the TV there and it is surprising how quickly I got used to it! I just miss the smell so have “log fire” reed diffusers.

We bought a new build 10 years ago after living in an old 1800s cottage with fireplaces in every room. The lounge felt really sparse with a 6m blank wall, so we put a false chimney breast in with an electric fireplace.

You can have the effect of the fire without the heat. We bought an Optimyst fire which I think looks about as good as electric fires can get (or did 6 years ago when we bought it!)

Photos below are pinched from Google, but ours is a very similar

I used to have an electric fireplace, but got rid of it because I never used it. I put a bookcase there instead, and everything that was on the mantelpiece is now on top of the bookcase. The tv is next to it in the corner.

other ideas @Kitchenbattle

Sideboard with the tv on and a shelf above with artwork.

For the price of a fireplace you could buy a lovely piece of original artwork.

I got this
Focal Point Fires 2kW Horsham Electric Suite - Grey | Robert Dyas

We put a modern log burner in ours with the chimney outside. We use it a lot.

We can’t do this unfortunately as it would reduce the rating of the house.

And we do not need the heat at all…the house is highly insulated and with A2W heating and MVHR.

Aquarium.

The previous owner of my house put in a gas fire and fireplace. It's not connected to the gas, but it's a nice focal point!!!!

I put different fairy lights and decoration in it, dependent on season. 😃

But I'm sure you could do the same with an electric fire that would actually work!

I have a little electric stove from Everhot. It's really cute, like a mini-aga. They come in lots of different colours and you can even cook in them. I roast chestnuts in mine at Christmas.

If it's one of those long rectangular living rooms, I'd put two sofas facing each other with a big coffee table between them, on a big eye catch ing rug. I'd put fitted cupboards with bookshelves above along one wall if you can afford it, with lots of subtle, interesting lighting. The TV could be a centrepiece in this, so it's still easy to watch TV from both sofas. And on the other wall some large pieces of artwork.

That way, the focal point is to sit with friends or family and talk. I'd love a living room like this.

If it's more square shaped, we have a living room without a fireplace and the focal point is the TV, but not in a way that dominates the room. It's on one wall with bookshelves. Sofa against the wall at ninety degree angle to it, then shelving for books etc on the wall opposite the TV with arm chairs in front. I didn't want the sofa opposite the TV as that looks too single focus, iykwim. So having the sofa face the window, with a coffee table in front of it makes it inviting to curl up and read or drink coffee and watch the birds, but easy to watch TV too.

Just get an electric fireplace. We have one we just switch on when we need it, or we can just put the lights on without the heat. We can also set it to come on it the temperature drops below a certain level.

Google 'electric fireplace' and loads of options will come up.

That sounds so lovely.

Much appreciated by the ginger/white cat I see .

We didn't have a fireplace in our old house so I bought a free standing decorative one from next and put a little plug in electric fire. This kind of thing:

www.next.co.uk/style/st092117/982325?dp=a&dndl=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22742857339&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UVqdYBvrTi0xdMU_y6ts13Gu&gclid=CjwKCAjw4K3DBhBqEiwAYtG_9CLC8Mh6zsnqquMZa4pFo0lsl71i4jRtx9Q3EaLmU97lSW18vThSUxoClQIQAvD_BwE#982325

It really does sound lovely but I can’t get anything that gives out heat as it would really be too much with how well insulated the house is. They are so so warm.

I bought a mantle beam and had that fitted to the wall. Mirror above and I did have my TV below in lieu of a fire. I could then have flowers and candles on the mantle as if it were a real one

Yes she loves it when the fire is on and she can toast her tummy