Turn up the Heat: Add Warmth & Character with a Designer Fireplace

by Carlisle Homes

Dial up the warmth factor and create an eye-catching focal point in your open-plan living area with a fabulous fireplace – here’s how to choose well.

A beautiful fireplace does more than just warm your home – it adds character to your interior and creates an irresistibly cosy atmosphere during those chilly winter months. Think relaxing nights curled up on the sofa by the fire, cosy games nights with the kids, and pre-dinner drinks around the fire with friends and family. Choose well and your fireplace can also create an eye-catching focal point in a room that can be enjoyed all year round.

At Carlisle, you can specify a stunning, designer fireplace to complement your new home. Take your pick from sleek, stainless steel and classic black styles, luxurious stone fireplace surrounds, and ultra-modern, linear fires. You can even specify a cosy outdoor fireplace so you can entertain alfresco all through the cooler months.

If you have a burning desire to add warmth and ambience to your home with a stylish fireplace, here’s everything you need to know.

Fuel type

When it comes to convenience, nothing beats a gas fire. There’s no mess, smoke or coaxing the fire from scratch – simply press a button and you get an instant flame. Newer gas fireplaces are often more heat-efficient than older wood burners too, plus they produce fewer emissions so they’re better for the environment.

The ambience of gas fires has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years too. Many of the latest models, such as Jetmaster’s SLR-X and 5X models – both of which are available as options for your Carlisle home – feature realistic-looking ceramic logs, pebbles or river stones so you can make a stunning statement in your interior.

Your choice of shapes and finishes

Finding the perfect style is easy – gas fireplaces come in different shapes and finishes to suit different interior styles. At Carlisle Homes, take your pick from a sleek, rectangular fireplace, such as the Jetmaster SLR-X or 5X in black, graphite or stainless steel, to complement a contemporary scheme; an elegant natural stone surround and hearth to suit a traditional or Hamptons interior; or a classic all-rounder such as the Jetmaster SL550 – a square fireplace with either a stainless steel or black surround that suits various home styles.

New technology

Advances in technology make today’s high-tech gas fires easier to operate than ever. You’ll find styles that can be controlled via an app on your smart phone so you can walk in from work to a warm and toasty home, or change the temperature while you’re relaxing on the sofa. There are also models that will monitor your room temperature and automatically adjust heating output of the fireplace to suit your requirements.

Outdoor options

Gas fireplaces are no longer limited to indoor spaces – you can now find styles that are specially designed to add magic to your outdoor entertaining area. Create a cosy alfresco set-up by anchoring your outdoor sofa and armchairs around an eye-catching built-in gas fire.

The different textures, size variations and colour schemes of the fireplace surrounds means there is a product to suit all home interiors, whether your style is contemporary, classic or modern.