Home Fireplaces is a on-line magazine and resource of information for the latest trends and designs in fireplaces for the home. Each week we seek out the latest designs and information on fireplaces and fireplace accessories.

We hope that you find the information displayed here useful and that it inspires your selection of a fireplace or you are able to find the fireplace accessory that you are interested in.

Please feel free to click around as this site provides a huge resource of information, articles, and models of fireplaces and fireplace accessories to chose from.

The fireplaces of today are not like our forefathers of even 20 years ago.  Modern fireplace design has in recent years taken a huge leap forward to incorporate aesthetics and world class design that provide home owners and interior designers with a new home centerpiece.

The elements of the fireplace are still there, but the designs are rapidly changing to incorporate style, a sense of presence, and focal point that is not just a warm spot in the room but one that attracts the eye.

Take for example this Italian design named the Antrax Bubble. Either suspended from the ceiling or mounted on a wall, this fireplace has been designed to not only catch the eye but also to fit in tight spaces (39 inches in diameter).

Other great designs and that have recently come on the market are corner fireplaces.  Never before has the use of space been so wisely used in our opinion. 

Where dead space in a wall was customary in room design, it is now being put to use by incorporating a gas fed fireplace.  There are several designs on the market and can be retrofitted to your house. All you need is a nice cosy corner and a good fireplace installation company.

Economy of size seems to be the focus of fireplaces being designed today. There are a huge range of new fireplaces coming onto the market that not only incorporate good design features but are functional, low aspect heat sources for just about any room.

Take for example this wall mounted model. Designed to be flush with the wall and burn either wood or gas, it is simple, elegant and can provide more entertainment on a Saturday night than TV.

Originally these designs started to emerge in Europe but have since become very popular in the US and other parts of the world.  One of the great features of these types of fireplaces is that even if a fire isn't burning, it still looks good.

It is the type of fireplace that attracts attention when you want it to and blends into the surroundings when you don't have it on.  A top choice in our opinion.

Don't forget that fireplaces originated for an outdoor source of heat before making their way indoors. Recently there has been an interest and upsurge in the design, manufacture and purchases of Outdoor Fireplaces.

Although you might think of an outdoor fireplace as a circle of rocks and something you do when you go camping, today's outdoor fireplaces are much cooler.

Either gas, wood or a combination, the coolest outdoor fireplace designs incorporate and embrace mobility.  Not only is this a good thing from a storage point of view but also from a usability angle as well.  In our opinion, everyone should have one of these.

There are many elements to consider when purchasing or even reviewing the types of fireplaces on the market - functionality, design, heat exchange, location, and price to name a few. 

All of these fireplaces provide the maximum value on the key elements of a fireplace. All that you need to decide is which one will fit best with your interior design standard.

The fireplace mantel has not changed much in the last 100 years. What has changed, however is choice in mantel design, availability, and price.

There are sever types of fireplace mantels to choose from ranging in price from several thousand to a couple hundred dollars.

If you are looking for an affordable mantel that provides a quality look to any room, you might want to look into a mantel made from wood.  And just because its made from wood doesn't mean that it has to be boring or plain looking. On the contrary, wood fireplace mantels come in a huge range of colors and wood types. 

Even better wood mantels lend themselves to intricate designs. Wood can easily be sculpted into 3 dimensional pieces of art where as stone mantels have a much more difficult time achieving this.

Like these examples, wood mantels can fit nicely into just about any interior design scheme.

If you are in the market for something a little bit more elegant and a little more in price, you might consider a marble or stone fireplace mantel.  These mantels are designed to last longer than the house will be standing; However, if you are looking to achieve a strong yet elegant interior design statement, this may be the perfect choice for you.

Marble or stone mantels will usually start in price from a minimum of $500.00 for a very very basic design all the way up to several thousand. Although a majority of the cost is associated with design and intricacy, there is also a price element in the amount and type of stone used in the mantel.

Additionally, unlike wood mantels, a stone or marble mantel will often require the fitting to be carried out by a professional installer. With the shear weight of these mantels, it is a much easier option to let someone else take care of the installation.

The third most common mantel design is the metal mantel.  Widely used throughout Europe, the metal mantel is designed to provide maximum heat output with minimal size.

Although these types of mantels are not as common in the United States and other parts of the world, they are catching on and interior decorators are incorporating them more and more into homes.

As you can see from the example, most metal mantels do not fit with the traditional "mantel" configuration. The facing, the burning area, and mantel are all made of metal.  It is not unusual, however, to have a mantel of this type framed again by a traditional wood or stone mantel.  

Regarding pricing, metal mantels can be antique and extremely expensive or new designs that only cost $300 to $600 dollars at the base rate.  In our opinion, metal mantels can be a great choice for a small room where a little old world charm is needed.

No matter if you have a wood burning fireplace or gas burning, fireplace accessories can be functional as well as visually pleasing. 

Way beyond the traditional long fork and shovel, fireplace accessories have evolved into something exciting. Take for example Fireplace Screens. Although they have been around for at least a couple hundred years, fireplace screens today can be works of art with a beautiful mix of materials, design, and structure.

From modern designs in heat resistant glass to cast iron masterpieces, not only do fireplace screens add value to the overall appearance of a rooms decor, but also provide essential protection if you have an open faced wood burning fireplace.

Fireplace screens come in a huge range of styles and prices. The determining factor for most however, is style. For a period fireplace, you probably would not want to purchase a modern glass screen.  The same is true if you have a low mounted open wall fireplace. The antique screen just wouldn't look right. In our opinion, however, fireplace screens definitely can add value to any fireplace.

Another fireplace accessory that is often overlooked, even if you have or are interested in a gas burning fireplace is the Log Basket. If you do have a wood burning fireplace then you already know that they are a valuable piece of equipment - especially when you have to swim through 2 feet of snow to get more wood.

Again, the designs of log baskets or wood caddy's have come a long way from just piling up the wood in the corner. Today they incorporate design and standout as a integral part of the overall look and feel of a fireplace.

As mentioned before, if you have a gas burning fireplace, you still may want to consider a wood basket.  Even though you know its a gas burning fireplace, unless closely inspected, no one else will.  Having a log caddy sitting next to your fireplace can give the impression and even help the mind smell the scents of a warm fire.

Finally, if you have a wood burning fireplace, you know that you can not be without a set of Fireplace Tools including a shovel, a fork, and a brush. Actually, you can get by with out the brush but the other two tools you will want to have.

Like other elements of the modern fireplace, fireplace tools have come a long way. Although they still serve the same function and have the same basic form, the designs available on the market are anything but ordinary.

 Instead of heavy black cast iron, they are now available in lightweight and clean stainless steel.  You can still find the older styles of fireplace tools everywhere but then again would you want them when other choices are available. 

Below you will find a list of additional resources for you search on fireplaces, mantels, tools and accessories. This list is updated at least once per week and is a hugely valuable too in finding what else might be on the market.  If you haven't found what your looking for, this may help.

Still Haven't Found What Your After?

There are many resources on this site to help you find the fireplace or fireplace accessory that you are interested in.  However, as with all things, it is not exhaustive and we understand that sometimes it's necessary to do another search.  To help you with this, we have incorporated this search feature that will allow you to pull specific fireplace searches from select sites. Simply put in your search term and hit return.