12 Small Living Room Fireplace Ideas

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Due to the compactness of small living rooms, you must be intentional when designing and accessorizing them. Every item you pick, whether decorative or a functional piece, must be well-curated. This applies to the fireplace, too.

When choosing the right fireplace for your small living room, creativity is vital in order to make the most of the limited space without making the room appear cramped. Besides choosing the fireplace style you like most, pick the best layout and style the area to reflect your taste.

Check the creative ideas below to help you curate a lovely fireplace in a small living room.

12 Small Living Room Fireplace Ideas

1. A Corner Fireplace

A corner fireplace is a perfect solution for small living rooms as it ensures you utilize the corner spaces that might have otherwise gone underutilized. In addition, this placement helps reserve the space on the main walls for decor and furniture.

If there’s space above the fireplace, place decorative pieces such as a mirror, art piece, and a wall clock in this area to maximize the available space further and draw attention to the space. You can pair this fireplace with built-in shelving on either side.

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2. A Double-Sided Fireplace

A double-sided fireplace is not only fabulous but also quite beneficial, as it allows you to keep two rooms warm simultaneously. In this case, you can warm up the living room and the adjacent room, such as the dining space or kitchen.

This design is especially practical in an open-plan layout where installing multiple heating solutions isn’t feasible. A double-sided fireplace also helps sustain an unobstructed light and visual flow, making your living room appear bigger and more open.

You can build this fireplace on an existing wall partition or set up a freestanding unit.

3. Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace

By installing a fireplace directly on the wall, you save floor space, thus freeing up room for décor, furniture, and storage areas like shelving. A wall-mounted electric fireplace is easily customizable. For instance, you can opt for a frameless design or frame it with your preferred material and colors.

When it comes to the placement, mount this fireplace close to seating areas and around 40-50 inches from your living room floor. A wall-mounted electric fireplace is straightforward to install because installation is done with basic tools and is chimney or venting-free.

4. Opt For A Compact Wood-Burning Stove

Consider swapping your fireplace with a compact wood-burning stove. Alternatively, set up the stove inside the existing fireplace. These stoves occupy considerably less space and have a small footprint compared to traditional fireplaces.

In addition, wood-burning stoves are more efficient in heating rooms than open fireplaces. Even a tiny wood-burning stove generates enough heat to keep a room warm using less fuel.

Consider your living room’s style when choosing a wood-burning stove, ensuring it fits the room’s aesthetics.

5. Forgo The Mantel

A mantel-free fireplace in a small living room frees up valuable floor space and gives your fireplace a minimalistic look. Furthermore, this design makes the area less cluttered and roomier.

The absence of a mantel allows you to focus on the fireplace’s surround, turning it into a lovely focal point. You can make the surround using tiles, stones, brick, or concrete. Consider extending the surround up the wall.

Without a mantel, you have more decorating freedom, be it hanging some accessories or even leaving the space bare.

6. Choose A Freestanding Fireplace

While you could renovate your living room just to install a built-in fireplace, an easier, more budget-friendly solution would be to get a freestanding fireplace. As you are dealing with a small living room, pick a compact, freestanding fireplace.

An electric or ethanol-burning model is particularly appealing as it doesn’t require a chimney or venting.

You can place a freestanding fireplace wherever it fits best— experiment with different layouts first. Suitable placement areas include corners, the center of the room, and against a wall.

7. Under-the-Stairs Fireplace

The space underneath the stairs in your living room can be an excellent place for a fireplace, especially if unused. However, you must be extra careful, particularly if the stairs are wooden, as wood is flammable. You can prevent this by protecting the surrounding areas with fireproof materials like tile.

Incorporate built-in storage into the fireplace for a stylish and practical way to store and display items such as firewood and books. Coordinate the shelving’s color and material to the fireplace.

8. Partition The Living Room With A Fireplace

While open-space floor plans remain popular and appealing among homeowners, privacy between rooms is sometimes required. A fireplace can double up as a heat source as well as an elegant room divider.

A freestanding fireplace, a double-sided fireplace, a rotating fireplace, or a glass-enclosed fireplace is ideal. A glass-enclosed fireplace partitions spaces while retaining light flow and visibility. On the other hand, a rotating fireplace lets you direct the heat in various directions.

Extend your fireplace horizontally or vertically if there’s enough room to develop a wall-like partition.

9. Create Hidden Storage Within The Fireplace

Declutter your small living room, keep it organized, and get more storage space by integrating hidden storage areas within your fireplace. This works for functional, decorative, and non-functional fireplaces. Install discreet drawers or cabinets below the mantel to store small items like remotes and books.

You can also build a hidden compartment underneath the hearth. The surround is also an excellent place to install storage, such as pull-out drawers. Match the color and material of the drawer front with the surround.

Turn a non-functional fireplace into a storage nook.

10. A Floor-to-Ceiling Fireplace

You may be surprised to see this idea on this list, as floor-to-ceiling fireplaces are often associated with large rooms. However, you can adapt it beautifully into a small living room, making the place feel taller and more expansive.

So that the fireplace doesn’t overwhelm the room, choose a narrow, minimalist design. For instance, use a narrow frame and consider using a liner fireplace insert.

A floor-to-ceiling fireplace looks luxurious, giving your living room a sense of sophistication and elegance.

11. Minimalist Linear Fireplace

Unlike traditional fireplaces, often characterized by ornate mantels and bulky designs, a linear fireplace might be better suited to your small living room. This is because linear fireplaces are narrow and have simple surrounds and clean lines.

You can design your linear fireplace with a thin border or build it directly into the wall. Both options provide a streamlined, unobstructed look. You’ll be able to enjoy the flames from anywhere if you install this fireplace at eye level.

A linear fireplace can fit into a short wall and even a corner.

12. Accommodate The Fireplace and TV

So, how do you fit the television and fireplace into a small living room? As these items are focal points, their positioning can make or break the interior layout. Mount your TV above your fireplace. This makes your living room’s layout simple, cohesive, and easy to decorate.

Aside from the location, the size of your TV also matters. Make sure it is not too big for the space, as this can make the place an eyesore. Also, frame your TV to blend with the surrounding area and conceal the cords and cables to achieve a tidy look.

To Wrap Up,

Space constraints that come with a small living room may make you think introducing a fireplace may overwhelm the place. However, as shown in this guide, it is doable with creativity and adopting the right design choices. So, for your next project, make your small living room cozier with a fireplace of your choice.