Submitting to the modern rhythm of life, a city dweller is increasingly optimizing his life, making it convenient, and not forgetting about comfort. Therefore, studio apartments, where the living room area is combined with a kitchen or dining room, are now becoming the most popular. The design of a modern apartment is aimed at convenience and functionality, but comfort also requires an aesthetic component, so it is important to create a stylish and cozy design. An excellent element for this purpose is a fireplace. The choice of an electric model guarantees manufacturability and ease of installation and use, giving comfort to the interior.
Choosing a fireplace by location
When choosing where to place the fireplace, you need to focus on the design of the room and the function that the fireplace can additionally perform.
First of all, you need to take into account the basic placement rules:
- For an electric fireplace, a wall that is perpendicular to the window is best suited so that the glare of light does not distract from the flame;
- The fireplace should not be placed between the windows or near the door - so that the heat does not escape to the street, but is evenly distributed throughout the room;
- The fireplace should fit well with the rest of the room’s interior - when choosing a portal, you need to focus on the style, color, material and other decor;
- Near the fireplace you can place upholstered furniture: a sofa or armchairs, in order to spend cozy evenings. You can also hang a TV above it to watch your favorite movies under the flickering fire.
The location of the fireplace can be different and depends on what purpose the residents are pursuing.
If you want to zone the space, visually separate the living room area from the kitchen, then built-in models are suitable here, which can be installed in a false wall or built into any surface. A fireplace located in a niche or column saves space and visually divides one room into different zones.
You can choose a three-sided fireplace, then the flames will be visible from several sides, adding originality to the room.
When you want to save space, a built-in wall option is a good option. If space allows, you can choose a wide model that creates a bright line of fire. This will create a stylish and modern image in the interior.
If there is no possibility or desire to make a niche in the wall, a wall-mounted fireplace would be an ideal option. It is easy to hang and harmoniously integrate into the interior, but it looks stylish and adds coziness. The height can be adjusted to taste.
To add flair to the room, you can choose an island or free-standing fireplace. It will become the centerpiece of the room, drawing attention to the bright flame, and at the same time effectively warming the room. Also, an original solution would be to build the hearth into the surface of a table or cabinet.
If there is enough space in the room, then you can opt for the classics - a wall-mounted or corner fireplace set. The hearth here is framed by a portal, which is designed depending on preferences. It can be made in any style - from antique to modern, stylized as stone, wood or plastic, and decorated with decor. This fireplace will fit perfectly into any interior, and the corner model will save space.
Choosing a fireplace by design
Having decided on the location, it is important to choose its design so that it matches the interior of the room and decorates it favorably.
Depending on preferences, the fireplace can be decorated in various styles - from strict to rich and lush. There are a number of popular styles:
1. Classic.
This style is preferable for strict, laconic rooms. This design is characterized by restraint, calm colors, and straight lines. A classic wall model, stylized as wood, will look best here. The strict lines of the portal and minimal decor will harmoniously fit into the restrained interior, giving it comfort and grace. On the mantelpiece you can place framed photos, antique clocks or figurines. The main thing is not to overload the portal with decorations.
2. High-tech.
This design is quite popular in the modern world, since its main features are convenience and manufacturability. Here, a restrained atmosphere prevails, cool colors in the decoration, a minimum of decor, the rationality of objects in the room and a large amount of equipment. An electric fireplace built into the wall would be an ideal solution for this design. Discreet and technologically advanced, it will not stand out from the overall interior, and at the same time, will create a bright accent in the room.
3. Minimalism.
An apartment or room in this style should be as laconic as possible and with a small number of details. Simple furniture, a minimum number of items in the room, calm, often cool colors. The fireplace here must meet the general requirements - to be discreet and minimalistic. It is best to choose a wall-mounted or built-in model with a frame made of light or dark glossy plastic.
4. Baroque.
This style is the complete opposite of the previous one. The main thing here is pomp and pretentiousness, a wealth of details and decor. Therefore, the best option would be a classic or corner fireplace with a decorated portal. Columns, carved details, stucco molding - all this will be an excellent addition to the Baroque style. On the shelf you can place figurines, clocks, candlesticks, vases - a variety of details will be appropriate.
5. Modern.
For lovers of modern and creative style, the Art Nouveau style is the ideal option. It combines novelty and brightness, rich colors, unusual shapes, and original solutions. The fireplace here should also be of a non-standard shape or color. You can build the hearth into a table or false wall, or place a free-standing model in the middle of the room.
6. Country.
This style can be massive, with large details and furniture. The fireplace here should be the same - with massive decor. Brick or stone is suitable for framing. Forged products and accessories will complement the composition.
7. Chalet or Provence.
This option is suitable for lovers of natural motifs. This design uses natural materials, natural scenes, and pastel colors. A portal with elegant decor, stylized as stone or wood, will be a good addition. The decor should also be natural; styling with natural materials works well. They will emphasize the bright flame of the hearth and fit into an elegant, calm interior.
Fireplace in different types of rooms
Depending on the apartment or house, the hearth may be located in different rooms.
The kitchen-living room is the most popular place for a fireplace. A relaxation room that combines with a place for cooking, gatherings with friends or cozy evenings with family. The size and design of the hearth here can be any - as far as the room allows. If space allows, it is best to place upholstered furniture nearby to create an atmosphere of relaxation in front of a roaring fireplace. If the fireplace is in the cooking area, it should not be in the way. Here it is better to choose a closed model. Then it will not cause difficulties and will cheer you up during your favorite activity.
The kitchen-dining room is also popular for placing a fireplace. A beautifully designed portal with a dancing fire will lift the mood of your household during lunch or create a romantic atmosphere at dinner, and a bright flame will whet your appetite.
Many people today install a fireplace in a small kitchen. What previously seemed difficult in terms of design and impossible due to installation now surprises no one. The electric model allows you to eliminate all installation problems and build a fireplace where you cook. By choosing a compact built-in or corner model, you can save space if the kitchen is small. With a “burning” fire, the kitchen interior will become truly original, and cooking will be more fun.
When installing a fireplace in a studio apartment, you can solve two problems at once - diversify the design and zone the space. For example, by installing an electric fire in a false wall, you can visually separate the kitchen from the living room.
Where is the best place to place an electric fireplace?
Most often it is installed in the kitchen-living room. It decorates the interior and creates an atmosphere conducive to cozy gatherings.
Electric fireplaces with a living flame effect from Dimplex look very realistic, as you can see by watching the following episode of the Hacienda TV show:
In a classic kitchen-living room, as a rule, a symmetrical place is chosen in the middle of the wall, opposite the sofa or in the middle of two armchairs.
In modern trends, symmetry does not play a role, and the electric fireplace can be moved to any part of the room, installed in a corner and at any height.
Fireplace and area of the selected room
Having decided on the design and installation location, it is also important to think about the comfort of location and operation.
In a spacious room with a combined kitchen and living room or dining room, there are no restrictions on size and location - it all depends on the preferences of the residents. You can install a massive portal, place fireplace group items and furniture around it to create a holistic composition. The best option would be to install a fireplace set to match the design of the premises, or a wide fireplace built into the wall, then a line of fire will be created in the room - a truly original interior solution.
In a small kitchen, you should give preference to compact corner fireplaces or small built-in models to save space, not overload the room and at the same time add coziness to it.
In medium-sized dining rooms or living rooms, you can resort to exclusive solutions - fireplaces built into the surfaces. The hearth, located, for example, on a table or on a cabinet, will not hide the space, and at the same time will become the center of the interior, invariably attracting the attention of guests. When installing a fireplace in any room, the main thing is that it not only pleases you with the beauty of the flame, but is also easy to install and use, does not overload the room, but complements it favorably.
Minimalism
Minimalism in the interior likes to put everything on the shelves, but this does not mean that it will be against diluting its clear lines with the warmth of the fireplace and the comfort of the hearth. An electric fireplace will also fit well into such an interior. In itself, it is already considered an element of decor, so in order not to overload the interior, the decoration should be chosen simple and concise.
A fireplace will effectively separate the dining space from the place for relaxation or work.
Fireplace in the apartment and in the country house
The choice and installation of a fireplace also depend on the type of housing where it is planned to be located.
In a private home, installing a fireplace is a popular solution. Whether it’s a cottage or a full-fledged winter home, the main thing here is that the fireplace pleases the eye and warms the room. Therefore, here you can install both an electric model of a hearth with heating for ease of use, as well as a stove that is heated with wood, and even a natural wood-burning model. True, with the installation of the latter option certain difficulties will arise, and caring for it is much more difficult than more modern options. Therefore, many choose options that are less resource- and time-consuming, especially since today there are models with heating, sound effects of crackling firewood, and even with imitation of flying sparks - for the full feeling of a real fireplace.
When installing a fireplace in a country house, the same principles and rules apply. Only in this case, they still often choose modern stoves or electric fireplaces - since they don’t live in the country all year round, but only come in the summer, which means that residents do not have the opportunity to look after and care for the equipment all year round.
There are many more requirements and restrictions in a city apartment. It is impossible to install a natural model here because of the chimney; many people also do not risk installing bio-fireplaces due to concerns about the use of gas. Therefore, the best option here would be to choose an electric fireplace. It has all the functions of a wood-burning stove, and at the same time is absolutely safe and easy to use. And the variety of models in terms of aesthetic parameters and functions allows you to choose an option for every taste.
In the modern world, a fireplace has ceased to be a rarity. The attractive design and useful functions of the fireplace are captivating more and more residents of private houses and city apartments. And the convenience of modern models becomes a decisive factor when deciding to install a fireplace. A bright flame can diversify any interior - from a minimalist kitchen in a studio apartment in the city center, to a richly decorated living-dining room in a country cottage. A fireplace brings warmth and a cozy atmosphere to any home.
Dining room
The main advantage of a large house is the ability to combine the kitchen with the dining room. A separate room for eating is a luxury for owners of small apartments, but commonplace for owners of a private house. The work area and eating area should be separated from each other. You can zone the space either with the help of partitions, or with the help of separate lighting for each zone, or through the correct arrangement of furniture.
Above the dining table, surrounded by chairs, you can hang a floor lamp, which will create coziness during an evening dinner. You can also raise the work area by making the floors in it a few centimeters higher than in the rest of the room. The design of the kitchen and living room dining room should be made in the same style.
