Above an electric fireplace, you can mount a television for an entertainment hub, hang a large statement mirror or a single oversized piece of artwork to create a focal point, or install custom floating shelves to display books, framed photos, and curated decor.
Candles: Place candles of varying heights on the mantel for a soft, ambient glow that complements the warmth of the fireplace. LED candles work well for safety and convenience.
To make an electric fireplace look nice, the secret is anchoring it to the room with high-quality styling, custom surrounds, or built-in features. Elevate your unit with a custom mantel, trim, or updated firebox media, and hide unsightly cords to ensure a seamless, luxurious focal point.
The ideal piece above a fireplace serves as an anchor. The most popular and stylish choices include:
Installing a TV above an electric fireplace is generally safe when you adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines for both devices. It's essential to maintain proper heat clearance and consider protective measures, such as a shelf or heat shield, to safeguard the television from excessive heat.
For a comfortable, strain-free viewing angle, aim for 8 to 12 inches of space between the top of your electric fireplace and the bottom of your TV. Because electric fireplaces vent heat forward rather than upward, this minimal gap is perfectly safe and helps prevent the screen from being mounted too high for your neck.
Running an electric fire for 1 hour typically costs between $0.15 and $0.45. This total primarily depends on whether you are using the heater or just the flame-only setting, as well as your local electricity rates.
Instead, emphasise the impressive scale of the fireplace by styling it with petite artworks or ornaments. Placing these off-centre is key to achieving balance within the space without distracting the eye from the heart of the fireplace.
Fireplace trends center on performance, smart-home convenience, and multifunctional architectural design. The top aesthetic and functional focuses include ultra-sleek linear fireboxes, eco-friendly electric models, see-through room dividers, and heavily textured, mixed-material surrounds.
Electric fireplaces provide great supplemental heat and aesthetic appeal, but their primary downsides are limited heating capacity, reliance on electricity during power outages, lack of authentic sensory experiences (sound, smell, or real flames), and zero impact on long-term home resale value.
Frame the Fireplace with Symmetry
An electric fireplace typically lasts 10 to 20 years. Its overall lifespan largely depends on how often it is used, the quality of its internal components, and how regularly it is cleaned.
To make an electric fireplace look more realistic, focus on upgrading the visual depth, the media inside, and the surrounding decor. Hide any visible cords and adjust the flame settings to natural colors (like orange or yellow) rather than vibrant purples or blues.
Choose a mirror to amplify natural light and visually expand the room, or select art to introduce a pop of color and establish a personal focal point.
There is no single rule for whether a fireplace should be lighter or darker than the walls; it ultimately depends on whether you want the fireplace to act as a bold focal point or blend seamlessly into the room.
The "2/10 rule" (often called the 3-2-10 rule) is a crucial building and fire safety standard that dictates how high a fireplace or wood-stove chimney must extend above your roofline to ensure proper draft and prevent smoke from back-drafting into your home.
For non-working fireplaces, elevate the empty firebox by arranging a cluster of pillar candles, stringing warm fairy lights, or stacking decorative birch logs. You can also display lush potted plants or place a custom decorative screen inside.
To decorate above your fireplace, start by choosing a large anchor piece—such as a statement mirror or framed artwork—to center over the mantel. Build out from there by layering smaller decorative items (like vases, candlesticks, and greenery) on the sides, balancing different heights and textures for a cozy, curated look.
Never place a mirror directly facing your bed, facing a main entrance door, or opposite a window that receives intense direct sunlight. These spots cause sleep disruption, push positive energy out of your home, or create distracting glare and annoying heat reflections.
The shape of the mirror that looks best over a fireplace depends on the room's proportions. Arched or round mirrors soften harsh lines and work beautifully in most spaces. Rectangular or square mirrors create a cohesive, traditional look by echoing the linear structure of the mantel.
The most expensive things to run in a house are heating and cooling systems (HVAC), which account for about 40–50% of your total energy consumption.
Whether an electric fireplace is cheaper than your central heating depends entirely on your setup and how you use it.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in a typical home, accounting for about 40–50% of your total electricity bill. Water heating, refrigerators, and lighting follow closely behind.