Choosing the right antique fireplace for your home
Fireplaces are the heart of the home - or should we say hearth of the home?
What started as a few branches on a cave floor has transformed into a magnificent piece of art that can enhance almost any home.
But one thing remains unchanged: it remains a focal point for friends and family to gather around, especially on a cold winter’s night.
An antique fireplace is a splendid centrepiece, one that will be there for years to come.
Therefore it’s important you buy the right one.
Here’s our simple guide to choosing the perfect antique fireplace:
Location, Location, Location
The first fundamental question when choosing your antique fireplace is where it is going to go.
For most people this is the living room - but you don’t have to be like most people.
There’s nothing stopping you from placing an antique fireplace in any room you want, whether it be a dining room, kitchen, bedroom or even a bathroom.
What room you decide to put the fireplace in might be determined by practicalities.
For instance, you might put it in a room that’s always cold or a weird nook where there’s a chimney breast.
The reality is most people are limited to where a chimney (or some other suitable vent) currently exists. Unless, you’re willing to pay to put one in.
Size is important
You don’t want a Christmas tree scenario to get home and find that it’s too big.
A fireplace is not like a Christmas tree - you can’t just cut the top off.
Here are our top tips to prevent this from happening:
- If you have a chimneybreast, you will need to make sure that the fireplace is smaller than the width of the chimneybreast.
- Take pictures of the room that you want the fireplace in so you can be sure your new fireplace compliments your space, instead of overpowering or overcrowding it. Visualising your home from memory can be a surprisingly difficult task!
- You will also need to think about depth, making sure that the fireplace doesn’t stick out into the room too much.
What happens if you’re in the shop and you’re still not sure if the fireplace is the right size? In that case we suggest measure the fireplace in the shop and then measure it out at home .
Remember, bigger is not always better - make sure the fireplace you choose is appropriate for your space.
Looking Good
You may want a fireplace that is contemporary with your house. Fortunately, there are many antique fireplaces to choose from.
At Westland we offer fireplaces from a number of different periods, ranging from the Renaissance to Art Deco.
If your house is a listed building, then it is likely that you will need to choose a fireplace of the same period, and you may also require planning permission.
That being said, antique fireplaces do not have to be exclusively installed in older homes. .
The choice can also be overwhelming, but we’re here to guide you from the curves of the Rococo era to the square lines of the Victorians.
You may also want to think about the material you are using.
We offer antique fireplaces made from a range of different materials; such as marble or cast iron. Marble is beautiful and comes in numerous colours, so there are plenty of options to suit your interior!
Marble fireplaces do tend to be more expensive, so if you are on a budget, a wooden surround can be a good option, as it can be painted any colour, and even painted with a faux marble effect if desired!
Whether you’re shopping by era or material, our website contains a variety of fireplaces (as well as many other antiques) that would be perfect in any home.
It’s what’s inside that counts
A fireplace is essentially a decorative surround, so be sure to know what is happening with the interior of the fireplace first if you wish to set a fire.
You will need to know what kind of fuel you wish to use – if any – and also check its suitability with a HETAS registered engineer.
You can then choose a variety of options for the interior, such as a fire grate or even a wood burner.
When making your mind up, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
- What aesthetic are you going for?
- How much heat do you want from the fire? Will it be the main source of heat or will there be central heating?
- How much effort are you willing to put into upkeep and maintenance?
- How difficult is it / how much will it cost to install the different options? For example, a real fire will require a fire box.
- How energy efficient do you want it to be?
Choosing the right antique fireplace for your home
We hope you are ready to choose the perfect antique fireplace for you and your home. If you’re searching for inspiration, why not give our Willesden showroom a visit?
We’re always happy to help and to answer any questions you might have.