Modern house. Electric fire. Fire shelf thing

[PartoftheProbl3m]

Our house built in 1996. The fireplace looks dated. The surround us ok - it’s kind of fake cream marble. The fire and the shelf bit- are white and look very 90s.

What fake fires look ok. We only use on really icy nights. What colour would you go for?

I think the fire and mantle are two separate things in most cases. You could certainly change one without changing the other.

Personally I don’t like any fake fires, but if you like the one you have then just change the mantle and fire surround.

Could you post a picture?

Well we have to have fake because it’s a modern house

@PartoftheProbl3m

Well we have to have fake because it’s a modern house

Well you don’t. Get rid of the whole thing.

I'd also say get rid if it's something you want for decoration more than function.

We live in a new build house and I've noticed one of my neighbours has put in the most vile looking mantlepiece. I just don't understand the point.

@PartoftheProbl3m

Well we have to have fake because it’s a modern house

What? If the house was built without a working fireplace, you really are not obliged to stick a pretend one in. What's it for?!

Icy nights tbh. Fear without the shape will look odd

I really want to see some ideas here. We have the same. Modern house, no chimney or anything but a fake fireplace and ugly mantelpiece- but my DH wants something there as he thinks it'll look bare without. (Also the mantelpiece hides the TV wiring) I just don't know what will look good there instead!

@RebeccaCloud9

I really want to see some ideas here. We have the same. Modern house, no chimney or anything but a fake fireplace and ugly mantelpiece- but my DH wants something there as he thinks it'll look bare without. (Also the mantelpiece hides the TV wiring) I just don't know what will look good there instead!

Have you mounted your tv over a fake fireplace?

@PartoftheProbl3m

Icy nights tbh. Fear without the shape will look odd

In my experience fake fires give out very little heat. Personally I would sooner have a portable heater tucked away for the few ‘Icy nights’ that need a boost and not have a fire place at all.

I don’t understand why modern houses have fake fireplaces and why people insist on hanging their tv over the top of them at such an uncomfortable viewing angle.

Tv high up on the wall. Electric fire with black hearth and oak mantelpiece. Why is that strange?

(It's not fake, just electric and crap. No chimney brest)

2 main reasons ours is on the wall rather than a TV unit.

1. Tv unit is just another place to gather clutter and dust.

1. Toddlers in the house means nightmare with a big TV on a hand height unit.

That kind of fire is relatively expensive to run, in comparison with a plug in radiator or similar which can be away in a cupboard/behind the sofa when not in use.

If you want it for aesthetic reasons, it's even more important you like it- it's the only reason it's there. You could take it out and have a much more flexible room- no need to face the fire any more.

Or have one of those gel gas ornamental ones. Something like this needs no 'plumbing' so to speak. The ethanol can be expensive but if it's only occasional that's probably ok

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/143405501565?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=143405501565&targetid=939009505666&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1006814&poi=&campaignid=10199419339&mkgroupid=101401896865&rlsatarget=aud-381667280803:pla-939009505666&abcId=1145983&merchantid=6995734&gclid=CjwKCAjw2Jb7BRBHEiwAXTR4jfxFjOaAfgezBiYWoEhqNsL2LF3a6Qk8lsE3nHMDENlC93hQyX2ORoC2VAQAvDD_BwE

Ooh @picklemewalnuts I quite like that!

Mmm so do I! Which is why I knew where to find it... been thinking about it for ages!

That one looks too cheap though- needs research to see if it's legit!

Would you put one like that up on its own or with some kind of mantelpiece/oak beam/shelf?

It can stand alone. I'd probably have a free standing one. Like one of these...

If I was going electric I'd get something like this, or just a basic radiator.

Have you got a chimney breast, or just a wall? We have a modern (late-60s) house and took out our inset gas fire (which had a hideous surround and mantelpiece) and replaced it with a wall-hung electric one. It's not to everyone's taste, but I like it! It also meant we didn't need the massive (also hideous) hearth, so got back a bit of floor space. I think the whole thing looks simple and modern, rather than twee - especially as the built in alcove units either side mean there's more or less a flat run along that wall. The fire itself gives out a decent amount of heat. (Was v expensive, though, especially as we had to brick up some of the chimney breast and deal with the existing flue.)

By the way, we were told that we'd need fire-rated plasterboard if we had a wall-hung gas fire, as they out out so much heat. Also that we should never put a TV over a gas fire, for the same reason.

@RebeccaCloud9

Tv high up on the wall. Electric fire with black hearth and oak mantelpiece. Why is that strange?

(It's not fake, just electric and crap. No chimney brest)

Do you mean it doesn’t have fake flames and stuff?

I’m with @picklemewalnuts and would buy a freestanding wood burner.

No chimney breast

If there is no chimney breast then I’d get rid of the whole thing.
It’ll make the room so much more flexible.