- Types of electric fireplaces
- Design of electric fireplaces for an apartment
- Advantages and disadvantages of electric fireplaces
- Rules for purchasing an electric fireplace
- Photo gallery of electric fireplaces
A classic wood-burning fireplace in the living room is a status item that fills the house with warmth and extraordinary romance. But have you ever thought about how much trouble the operation and maintenance of such a fireplace will bring? Concern for coal, wood pellets or firewood, the need to periodically call a chimney sweep, ashes in the living room and the hypothetical possibility of a fire…. Meanwhile, there is an alternative to a wood stove that will heat your home, decorate the interior and create a relaxing atmosphere in it. We are talking about electric fireplaces for apartments - electrical devices that convert electrical energy into heat and are used to heat the room.
Essentially, they are a product of the evolution of the wood-burning fireplace and combine traditional design with the wide functionality of a modern electric appliance.
Ease of use and installation, fashion for environmentally friendly fuels and low cost have led to a real consumer boom for these devices, the peak of which occurred in the early eighties of the last century.
Today, electric fireplaces for apartments are experiencing a rebirth. Hanging or wall-mounted, built-in or free-standing, they successfully compete with classic wood-burning fireplaces, offering the consumer comfortable warmth and original design. The price of electric fireplaces varies greatly and depends on the functionality and cost of the cladding. The name of the manufacturer is also taken into account, which also affects the price of electric fireplaces.
The fastest and cheapest way to buy electric fireplaces is to buy in an online store , since in this case the owner of the trading platform saves on renting office space, which reduces the cost of the product itself.
Types of electric fireplaces
Depending on the type of installation in the room, electric fireplaces are divided into wall-mounted, built-in, free-standing or wall-mounted.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces. Devices of this type are installed directly on the floor, near the wall. To imitate a wood-burning fireplace, such devices are framed with a fireplace portal made of wood, or artificial or natural stone.
Built-in electric fireplaces are placed directly in a wall niche, 20-30 cm deep.
Freestanding or island fireplaces have a significant advantage over other types of electric fireplaces: they can be placed anywhere and the heat wave can be oriented at your discretion.
Another criterion for classifying electric fireplaces is functionality. The simplest models work like an electric stove and consist of a heating element framed by a fireplace mantel.
A more complex option is electric fireplaces with the effect of a living fire, reviews of which met the wildest expectations of manufacturers. Typically, these models do not have a heating function and are, rather, a decorative element that decorates the room. The design of such devices includes a built-in steam generator that sprays water illuminated with red light, which creates the complete illusion of burning coals. The intensity of the flame is adjustable, as is the sound effect of the crackling sound of burning wood. Water is poured into the container manually, or automatically - by direct connection to the hydraulic system of the house.
The combined type of electric fireplace combines two functions: heating and decorative.
Application in the living room
Before considering the role played by an electric fireplace in the interior of a house, it is worth noting the main purpose of this room. This is the calling card of the house and its owner; it is here that all welcome and unexpected guests are seen off.
An electric fireplace in the living room will help add warmth to the interior. This irreplaceable decoration helps create a soft and soulful microclimate. Under the dancing flames it is good to have conversations on philosophical topics, solve business issues, and arrange romantic evenings.
In order for an electric fireplace to appear in the living room interior, it is not enough to purchase and transport it. The key word here is “interior”. This means that the hearth should be located in its place and externally harmonize with the overall style of the room.
The bright interior of the room promotes relaxation and tranquility
You can start your choice with the finishing material. Modern electric fireplaces are rich in a variety of external coverings of the portal. For this, natural and artificial materials are used:
- stone;
- metal;
- glass;
- marble.
Often they try to decorate the living room itself, along with pieces of furniture and wall decoration, in light, classic colors. A fireplace frame made of wood or stone is ideal for the presented color scheme. If you hang a huge picture over the portal, and the floor in the immediate vicinity is finished with MDF with a parquet pattern, you will get an emphasis on the entire galaxy of decorative elements, from ceiling to floor.
Huge fireplace system in the living room
- Electric fireplaces in a country-style living room interior should have catchy and angular shapes. As in the classic version, the finishing is preferably made of wood, but the degree of wood processing should be of a harsh, restraining nature. It’s a good idea to decorate the space above the fireplace with hunting trophies or weapons.
- The Art Nouveau style is characterized by sharp straight peaks and regular geometric shapes. To fit any element into a room, you need to work on its shape. Fireplaces with rectangular portals are an ideal solution for such living rooms. Its design must correspond to the spirit of modernity. This means that we will decorate the exterior with stained glass.
- High-tech is known for its closeness to minimalism. This will affect the decoration of electric fireplaces by simplifying and emphasizing the shapes. The design of the electric fireplace not only emphasizes, but also makes a significant contribution to the appearance of the room. A built-in option for this style would be a great solution.
Good to know: Corner electric fireplaces for apartments and houses, their advantages and main types
Design of electric fireplaces for an apartment
The design of electric fireplaces is varied and can be both classic and modern, depending on the type of portal. Typically, the design of the device includes a heating element, a tempered glass screen and decorative ceramic logs. However, there are also expensive island models without a screen, stylized as a burning fire.
The most common decor option is a U-shaped portal with a fireplace chamber lined with ceramic bricks. To enhance the similarity with a traditional heating stove, an electric fireplace is often complemented with a built-in or portable firewood rack with real logs.
elite series include models decorated with Swarovski crystals and a mobile TV hidden behind the back wall of the portal and even an aquarium that creates the illusion of the seabed.
Advantages and disadvantages of electric fireplaces
One of the main advantages of electric fireplaces for apartments is the absence of a chimney and the ability to install devices in any room, regardless of the number of floors and the presence of a ventilation system. Thus, by purchasing a fireplace, you will receive a heating device that will not cause you the hassle associated with certification and the purchase of wood fuel and will start working immediately after connecting to the electrical network. Most modern models of electric fireplaces have a timer, which allows you to turn the device on and off at a predetermined time, and a thermostat, with which the ambient temperature is maintained. The efficiency of the devices is quite high, so you can easily solve the problems of heating a bedroom, library, living room or children's room.
Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, an electric fireplace does not pollute the room with ash or soot, as it only imitates combustion. It weighs little and can be easily carried from room to room.
If the device has an ionizer, then you can easily solve the problem of clean indoor air - thanks to negative ions that break down dust, pollen or cigarette smoke dispersed in the air.
The only disadvantage of electric fireplaces is the cost of electricity.
Living room design with electric fireplace
Even in a relatively small living room you can install a modern fireplace. An electric fireplace in the interior of a small living room will make it even more comfortable, while adding luxury and chic to even the simplest room. There are two main design options. The first option, which is more suitable for modern interiors and small rooms, is laconic minimalism. The fireplace is built into the same wall on which the TV is located, usually right under it. Thus, the attention of the person in the room is scattered between several details that stand out brightly on the white walls. In a small room where every meter of space is important, this arrangement will be preferable.
In the second case, we go the classic way - the fireplace is the center of the room, the focus of the attention of everyone entering it. In this option, it is worth adding a portal to the hearth or highlighting the entire wall on which it is placed. This could be an imitation of brickwork, a combination of colors (for example, beige and wenge, white and Ceylon ebony are very well combined), or decorating the walls with natural stone. This arrangement of the fireplace is suitable for an interior with ethnic notes, as well as in a classic style - with its heavy furniture, lush carpets and natural colors of the decor. And the ornate wooden portal, repeating the texture of the sofa standing next to it, will fit perfectly into empire interiors.
Rules for purchasing an electric fireplace
The first thing you should pay attention to before buying an electric fireplace is the serviceability of the electrical system in your apartment and its ability to withstand the load of this heating device. Next, decide on the volume and area of the room in which the device will be located, as this will allow you to correctly select the thermal power of the electric fireplace:
P (kW) = S x 2.5 xa, where a is an empirical coefficient equal to 0.040-0.060, and S is the area of the room (M).
You can install the device anywhere, as long as the room is not damp and there are no curtains or other flammable objects nearby. The fireplace should be connected without using extension cords to avoid accidental disconnections.
The functionality of a heating device may be redundant, so when buying an electric fireplace, determine your needs and make an informed choice.
Balcony options
The conversation about installing a fireplace on the balcony has become more and more frequent lately. After all, traditionally the balcony was considered an insignificant part of the house in which everything unnecessary was stored.
Today, such ingrained stereotypes have disappeared. Every owner of an apartment in a multi-storey building dreams of landscaping any corner with usable space. You can spend time on the balcony reading a magazine or sitting with a cup of coffee, and the presence of a fireplace will create a cozy atmosphere.
Creating a full-fledged recreation area on the balcony
Plastic balconies are considered the most practical and aesthetic today. They are not lined on the inside and have a white interior. Naturally, only a white electric fireplace, narrow enough to fill the entire width of the space, will fit here.
Good to know: Electric fireplace as a heater for the home, features of use
However, a fireplace on the wall will not be an ideal option, because when we go out onto the balcony, we take in the landscapes below with our peripheral vision, and the need to raise our heads to admire the flames creates the illusion that the design is not thought out and the fireplace is in too high a position. A white fireplace installed on the floor will blend in harmony with the plastic walls and leave the impression of a single composition.
