Choosing the Right Fireplace Dimensions for Your Home

A fireplace does more than warm you up in winter. It sets a snug and soothing mood, gives you a cosy spot to gather around with the family and increases your home’s resale value. There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right fireplace, including the style, fuel type and installation requirements. One question that’s probably on your mind, or should be, is “how big should my fireplace be?”

It’s an important point to think about. A fireplace that’s too large can overwhelm a room and cause smoke in the house and creosote build-ups. A too-small model can cause smoke to back into the room, as well as make the room visually unbalanced.

Architects and designers need to know the dimensions of fireplaces so they can determine the best fireplace sizes and shapes for each room. Choosing the right fireplace dimensions gives you the best possible experience with your fireplace and saves you time, money and headaches further down the line. But if design specifications aren’t your forte, don’t worry. Home Fires is here to help. Here’s our guide to the all-important question, “How big should my fireplace be?”

Recommended Fireplace Sizes

There’s a fireplace out there for just about any style of room. Yet choosing the right fireplace depends on the size and style of the room you have. Here are the recommended fireplace sizes for different living spaces:

Compact spaces

Bedrooms and small living areas typically need smaller and less obtrusive fireplaces so the space can feel warm and cosy without becoming overheated. A freestanding electric fireplace is a good option for these kinds of environments.

Medium-sized spaces

Mid-sized spaces, such as dining areas, offer flexibility when it comes to fireplace choice. A freestanding gas fireplace is an easy and subtle option, while a fireplace flue kit ensures safety and adequate ventilation.

Open-plan living spaces

Open-plan spaces that combine multiple living areas can benefit from fireplaces with higher heat output. A traditional wood-burning fireplace with convection heating is an effective option for warming these larger areas.

Large spaces

It goes without saying that a large space requires a large fireplace to meet its heating requirements. In large living rooms or commercial spaces, fireplaces that are larger than average help create a sense of aesthetic appeal while meeting the space’s needs.

Outdoor areas

Fireplaces aren’t just for the indoors. Outdoor fireplaces for your patio provide both warmth and ambience for your outdoor get-togethers. Like indoor fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces should be in scale with their surroundings. You don’t want your fireplace to take up too much space, but you also don’t want it to lack impact as a focal point.

How to Work Out Fireplace Dimensions

Before determining the right fireplace dimensions, consider several key factors about the room, including its size and layout, chimney height and ventilation, mantel and hearth dimensions, and clearance requirements.

Some standard fireplace dimensions you’re likely to come across when shopping include 36” wide x 36” tall, 36” wide x 42” tall, 48” wide x 36” tall and 48” wide x 48” tall.

Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to choosing the right fireplace size:

Measure the room

Add up the length, width and height of the room to find the total volume in cubic feet or metres. If you’re planning to install a wood-burning fireplace, make sure you take into account how tall you need the chimney to be to provide proper ventilation. While mantel and hearth measurements are partly a matter of personal taste, they can also impact the overall dimensions of your design.

Determine your heating needs

In a moderate climate, your fireplace needs about 20-25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) to heat a home. Make sure the fireplace is rated to deliver your heating requirements.  

Choose proportional fireplace dimensions

As well as the right size, you want everything to be proportional when you’re choosing a fireplace. This includes the firebox width and height, the width of the mantel and the distance between the mantel and the floor.

Once you have these elements sorted, you can focus on selecting the fireplace that best meets your other needs (e.g., the right style and fuel source).

Why Getting the Right Size Fireplace Matters

Choosing the right fireplace size for your home matters for many reasons, not just aesthetics. The top reasons it’s such a crucial part of the fireplace purchasing process include:

Heating efficiency

A fireplace that’s too large for the room will overheat the space, while one that’s too small won’t heat it enough. The output of the fireplace needs to match the size and insulation level of your room.

Safety and legal compliance

Factors such as undersized hearths and incorrect clearances can cause safety issues and put you at risk of violating legal codes.

Furniture layout and space issues

A fireplace that’s too large can simply take up too much space, potentially even affecting the arrangement of furniture and how you can move around the room.

Cost and installation

Larger fireplaces are more expensive and more complicated to install. If your fireplace is too large for the room, this just makes for an extra expense you don’t need.  

Get Your Perfect Fireplace at Home Fires

If choosing the right-sized fireplace feels daunting and difficult, and you don’t know where to start when measuring dimensions, Home Fires can make the whole process easier for you. We’ll help you find the fireplace that best suits the dimensions of your home as well as your other needs and preferences.

Our wood fireplaces in Sydney bring traditional rustic appeal to even modern homes, with a selection of freestanding and in-built wood heaters from leading brands like Masport and Nectre.

If you want a gas fireplace in Sydney, our range is modern, efficient and easy to use with low emissions technology and electronic thermostatic controls. Contact the Home Fires team online or drop into our Minto or Casula locations to find the perfect fireplace for your home.