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Original poster

No fireplace in lounge

36 replies

doglover · 07/05/2013 19:43

Our (hopefully!) new lounge (20' by 20') has no fireplace but I feel it'll need a focal point. There are a couple of options:

a. On an outsjde wall, put in a woodburner with flue going up through roof (it's a bungalow)........ Is this even possible?

b. An electric fire (hearth / fire surround)

c. Electric wall-hung fire

Have we any other options? What do you think?

OP posts:
BeanoNoir · 07/05/2013 19:45

If you're not bothered about actually having a fire I have seen people who have put in a fake fireplace, so a chimney breast with a hole and a fire basket in that they put candles in.

SingingSands · 07/05/2013 19:46

Woodburner is a good idea and can be quite a dramatic focal point if you go modern. French doors to garden? Giant telly?

ilovepowerhoop · 07/05/2013 19:48

we just have a big mirror on the wall and no fake fireplace or mantlepiece

IsItAMonster · 07/05/2013 19:53

We recently got an electric fire and hearth, it's not as good as a real fireplace but makes a massive difference and gives a focal point in the room other than our tv!

Original poster
doglover · 07/05/2013 19:57

We'll have French doors / windows / and a tv but would prefer something else! I'll investigate your ideas ..................

OP posts:
BeanoNoir · 07/05/2013 19:59

I like the idea of having two sofas facing each other if you have the space, so the 'focal' point of the room is the conversation you're having with another person, rather than all furniture pointing towards something on the wall iyswim.

Original poster
doglover · 07/05/2013 20:03

That's a good point, BN. I agree with your comment Smile

OP posts:
Madamecastafiore · 07/05/2013 20:05

You can get fires that don't need any ventilation, they burn some sort of liquid so you still get a proper flame. Looked into them when moving to house with no fireplace which we didn't end up buying.

BrianButterfield · 07/05/2013 20:07

We've got an electric fire and nice fireplace in our dining room - I thought electric was a bit, well, tacky, but everyone comments on how nice it makes the room look.

Original poster
doglover · 07/05/2013 20:15

Thanks BB. That's my fear but probably need to go and look at a range of electric fires to get beyond my 1970 memories!!

OP posts:
Uppermid · 07/05/2013 20:19

Definitely a stove. We bought a 1930's house with no fireplace, first thing we pit in was a stove, best thing ever

Original poster
doglover · 07/05/2013 20:25

Thanks, Uppermid. Is this possible with no chimney etc? It's probably my preferred option but is it very costly?

OP posts:
miffybun73 · 07/05/2013 20:27

Fake fireplace with candles is a good idea. So pleased that giant TV wasn't one of your suggestions. Just awful as a focal point hung on the wall IMO

Don't get me wrong, I love watching TV, but don't want a huge black screen right in front of me on the wall.

Original poster
doglover · 07/05/2013 20:32

A giant TV is a big no-no - much to my dds disgust!!

OP posts:
MrsTaraPlumbing · 08/05/2013 00:13

Personally I'm keen on function:
So I would only be investing in some sort of fire /stove if I actually wanted it to provide heating. Not as a focal point.
I'm with BN - chairs facing each other is good.

I think there is nothing wrong with arranging the room for its intended use - so yes set up like a cinema with all chairs facing the big black screen is OK for me.
Or set up more like a library or office.
Beautiful pieces of art can be a good alternative to a fire.

Jaynebxl · 08/05/2013 06:18

We have a lovely fireplace but if it was up to me I'd rather no fireplace. We have never once used the fire and just end up piling stuff on the mantlepiece. I like the idea of no particular focal point (especially not a huge tv!) and more freedom for how to arrange the furniture.

sherbetpips · 09/05/2013 13:00

We went for a wall mounted electric fire. It isn't very good though and is very noisy, as it is wall mounted the heat comes out of the top (rather than downwards like a floor mounted one) so never really warms the room.
What I should have done is put an electrical floor mounted fire in with a mantelpiece, etc would have looked much nicer and been more functional.

Ihatemytoes · 09/05/2013 22:23

I have exactly the same problem. Does anyone have an alternative suggestion to an electric fire? I'm thinking maybe a nice piece of furniture with a mirror, or art above it?

Chubfuddler · 09/05/2013 22:24

Wall of bookcases?

Please don't say lounge btw.

recall · 09/05/2013 22:33

I have solved this problem with a Bio ethanol fire. It doesn't require any ventilation, it is free standing. It doesn't throw much heat out, although if you get ones with a glass front, they can do. You can place the metal box in any fireplace, and even put some good fake coals over it. It looks real. Its cheap too.

recall · 09/05/2013 22:35

I have one like and i sink into our coal fireplace, and put the ceramic coals over it, and the flames sort of flicker up through.

Uppermid · 12/05/2013 11:30

We had a chimney, the fireplace hole had been blocked. We originally wanted an open fire but when the hole was knocked back through it wasn't big enough so we went for a stove instead and so glad we did, much better and cleaner.

It cost us £50 to get the hole but back and to see if it was suitable for a fire, this was then deducted from the final bill as they then fitted the stove. They also had to line the chimney so this bumped the price up more. I think the stove was about £750 but the total cost for everything including the mantel piece and granite hearth was about £3k - worth every penny!

Original poster
doglover · 12/05/2013 12:45

I've just returned to this thread - thanks for so many constructive ideas. Fingers crossed that our sale/purchase continues!!

Chubfuddler - why NOT lounge?!!

OP posts:
audrey01 · 12/05/2013 12:45

We bought a 1930s house and there is no fireplace in the front room, which was used by the previous owner as a dining room. There is an open fire woodburner stove in the rear reception room (adjacent to the garden) which we intend to turn into a dining room to be open plan with the kitchen. I'd be interested to know who we need contact to see if we can move this stove to the front room, as at the moment there is a chimney breast there, but it is blocked.

Uppermid - can you recommend the company you used? I'm in SW London.

peeriebear · 12/05/2013 12:50

We had our fire taken out and put the aquarium there.