It’s mid-year, which means it’s time to see what’s new in fireplace technology. Humans have been drawn to fire for thousands of years, but during the COVID stay-at-home phase, we’ve seen an increase in interest in adding a fireplace to the house. Over the past two years, millions of homeowners have made long-delayed renovations a primary priority.
Since then, we’ve seen an influx of fireplace imagery on Pinterest and other social media platforms. There’s no doubt in our hearts that we crave a fireplace in our own homes. Electric fireplaces are much easier to incorporate into your design than gas or wood-burning fireplaces. The quality and features of today’s products are unmatched. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular fireplace design trends we’ve seen recently.
1. Big is always better
TVs are being installed over fireplaces whether people like it or not. They want to relax in front of the fire while watching their favorite series on Netflix or Hulu. The electric fireplaces positioned below the larger televisions have likewise grown in size.
The heat production of electric fireplaces is independent of the fireplace’s size. In other words, the size of the fireplace and the screen size of the TV can coexist in harmony. And so it is with us! There has been an increase in the average fireplace size from 50 to 60 inches, with 74-inch fireplaces becoming more popular.
2. Not your Grandma’s Hearth
Bold new designs for feature walls are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners who embrace electric fireplaces. Since larger fireplaces necessitate larger fireplace walls, many of our more recent designs have a distinct horizontality to them.
Media kits inside the fireplace that aren’t traditional have become more popular with customers who prefer asymmetrical designs. When it comes to electric fireplaces, there is no limit to the variety of wall materials that can be used because they are genuinely zero-clearance devices.
3. Going Back to the Traditional
There has been an increasing demand for conventional-style fireplace inserts and even traditional wall units, even though our most popular fireplace types are still long, slender, and linear.
There is a distinct difference between those who want the most realistic flames and insert conceivable and those who want the traditional shape, but without the bricks and grate within, among traditional-loving clients.
Fortunately, electric fireplaces are available for both types of rooms. As far as we’re concerned, a classic wood-burning fireplace with a grate will never go out of style. This type of fire will feature flames that are a natural yellow/orange color, and there won’t be many different lighting or media options available.
Colored flames and media alternatives traditionally associated with more linear forms are desired by some but in a more traditional footprint. There are several possibilities for those who want the best of both worlds.
4. From mystery to Opti-myst
Electric fireplaces from the Opti-myst range have seen a surge in popularity. These devices use a fine mist of tap water to create flames, illuminated to seem like flames. Although it’s been around for a long time, the trend of hiring professionals to do renovations has taken off in the last two years.
To use Opti-myst, you will need a bespoke wall design, plumbing, and an air supply from the floor below. Builders can readily handle it, but do-it-yourselfers may struggle. Seeing it online or in friends’ homes inspires others to want it for themselves. It’s difficult for some people to go back to a traditional fireplace after seeing flames that seem this lifelike.
5. Non-planetary warming fire
To avoid climate change, we must reduce our carbon output. Experts predict that as the Earth’s temperature rises, we will see an increasing frequency of catastrophic weather occurrences, such as the flooding in British Columbia and Newfoundland.
Stopping fossil fuels, such as natural gas, is one approach to reducing our carbon emissions. Eco-conscious homeowners have found that there are alternatives to gas fireplaces. There is no combustion in an electric fireplace because it does not use fossil fuels.
When it’s cold outside, having a fireplace in your house is a nice perk to have. There are a variety of fireplace styles to choose from, and working with an interior designer may help you determine which ones are best for your plans.
Ready to get a jumpstart on fall entertaining and relaxing? Contact us or visit our showroom today.
