Nothing beats a real fire on a cold evening. These open fireplace ideas will help you style the hearth, dress the mantelpiece and burn safely — whether your fire roars every night or only at Christmas. Every tip is written for British homes, with costs in pounds, metric measurements and advice that suits Victorian terraces, new builds and everything in between.
A wood fire burning in an open fireplace — Photo: Argenberg, via Wikimedia Commons
Table of Contents
- 1. The Classic Inglenook
- 2. Dress the Mantelpiece
- 3. Make the Chimney Breast the Star
- 4. Stone Hearth Charm
- 5. Open Fire or Wood Burner?
- 6. The Pub-Style Hearth
- 7. Style with a Log Basket and Companion Set
- 8. Dress a Fireplace You Never Light
- 9. Fireguards for Kids and Pets
- 10. Burn the Right Fuel
- 11. Small Lounge, Big Warmth
- 12. Arts-and-Crafts Character
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
1. The Classic Inglenook
A traditional inglenook fireplace with a deep open hearth — Photo: geograph.org.uk contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
An inglenook is the deep, wide fireplace opening found in old cottages and farmhouses. It was built big enough to sit beside the fire, and that is still its magic. Keep the brick or stone bare, add a chunky oak beam above, and let the opening itself do the talking. A simple grate and a log basket are all the styling it needs.
Inglenooks suit period homes best, but you can fake the feel in a newer house. Build the chimney breast out by 30 to 40 cm with a wide opening, then line it with reclaimed brick slips from a reclamation yard. Expect to pay £800 to £2,000 for a builder to reshape an opening, depending on your area.
2. Dress the Mantelpiece
A styled mantelpiece with ornaments, candles and framed art — Photo: Sam.Donvil, via Wikimedia Commons
The mantelpiece is the shelf above your fire, and it is the easiest place to show your style. Follow the rule of three: one tall item, one medium, one small. A mirror or framed print in the middle, a pair of candlesticks on one side and a small plant on the other never fails.
Change it with the seasons for almost no money. In autumn, try dried wheat stems and mini pumpkins from B&Q — our guide to autumn mantel styling has ten full looks. At Christmas, swap in a simple garland and fairy lights. Keep everything at least 30 cm from the fire opening so nothing scorches.
3. Make the Chimney Breast the Star
A fireplace set into a chimney breast in a period English interior — Photo: Acabashi, via Wikimedia Commons
In most British lounges the chimney breast is the natural focal point, so treat it like one. Paint it a bold colour — deep green or inky blue — while the alcoves stay soft white. The contrast frames the fire beautifully and costs little more than a tin of paint.
Alcoves each side are perfect for slim bookcases or a small armchair with a reading lamp. If you want warmth without clutter, see our brown living room ideas for colour pairings that sit well beside brick and wood. Keep furniture at least 60 cm from the hearth edge for safety.
4. Stone Hearth Charm
Rustic stonework around a historic fireplace hearth — Photo: Andy Dingley, via Wikimedia Commons
A stone hearth brings instant country character, even to a city flat. York stone flags and slate are classic British choices that handle heat well and wipe clean. Lay them flush with the floor so the hearth flows into the room instead of tripping you up.
A raised hearth of 15 to 20 cm works well in larger lounges and gives you a handy ledge for the log basket. Budget around £300 to £600 for a new stone hearth laid by a stonemason. Always use a fireguard with an open fire — sparks can spit further than you think.
5. Open Fire or Wood Burner?
A wood-burning stove fitted into a traditional fireplace opening — Photo: Acabashi, via Wikimedia Commons
This is the question every British homeowner asks, and the honest answer depends on what you want. An open fire gives you the crackle, the smell and the dancing flames — pure atmosphere. But around 80% of its heat goes straight up the chimney, so it is decoration first and heating second.
A wood burner is about 60% more efficient, says Ideal Home: two logs an hour keep a stove going, while an open fire needs eight for the same hour. If you want real warmth and lower fuel bills, choose the stove. If you want romance on a Friday night, keep the open fire. Many families enjoy both in different rooms.
6. The Pub-Style Hearth
An open fire burning in a traditional hearth grate — Photo: Acabashi, via Wikimedia Commons
Nobody does a cosy fire like a British country pub. Copy the look at home: a black cast-iron grate, a simple wooden mantel beam, and a flagstone or brick hearth. Hang a brass companion set on the chimney breast and keep a log basket close by.
The pub trick is low, warm lighting. Switch off the big light and let a table lamp and the fire do the work. A small round rug about 1.5 m across in front of the hearth marks the fireside spot. A reclaimed beam costs £50 to £100, and brass tools turn up cheap at car boot sales.
7. Style with a Log Basket and Companion Set
A cosy hearth seat with lamp and fireside kettles — Photo: Acabashi, via Wikimedia Commons
The tools of an open fire can be beautiful in their own right. A woven log basket full of kiln-dried logs looks better than any ornament, and a black or brass companion set — poker, tongs, brush and shovel — hangs neatly on a stand beside the hearth.
Buy kiln-dried logs with moisture below 20%, sold at most garden centres and Wickes. A large bag costs £8 to £12 and lasts several evenings. Store logs in a dry cupboard or a covered log store outside, never in a damp shed — wet wood smokes, spits and coats your chimney in tar.
8. Dress a Fireplace You Never Light
A decorative fireplace styled as a room feature — Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao, via Wikimedia Commons
Millions of British fireplaces never see a flame, and that is fine. A blocked or decorative fireplace still anchors the room. Fill the opening with a stack of white-painted logs, a cluster of pillar candles in glass hurricanes, or a trailing plant in a pretty pot.
Treat the chimney breast like a gallery wall. Hang one large mirror or a row of framed prints above the mantel — our gallery wall guide shows the exact spacing to use. In summer, a big fern or dried flowers in the firebox keeps it looking loved all year.
9. Fireguards for Kids and Pets
A traditional fireplace and hearth — always guard it with little ones about — Photo: geograph.org.uk contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
An open fire and small children need a proper fireguard — this is non-negotiable. Choose a sturdy three-panel metal guard that stands on its own and fits snugly across the opening. It should be at least 50 cm tall so toddlers cannot reach over it.
Fix the guard so it cannot be pulled down, and teach children the hot-zone rule: no closer than one metre. Pets learn fast too — most dogs give the fire a wide berth after one singed whisker. A good fireguard costs £25 to £60 at Dunelm or Homebase, money well spent for peace of mind.
10. Burn the Right Fuel
An open fire burning brightly — the right fuel keeps it clean and safe — Photo: Belard~commonswiki, via Wikimedia Commons
What you burn matters as much as how you burn it. Most UK towns are smoke-control areas, which means only smokeless fuels on an open fire — check your council's website before you light up. Never burn painted wood, pallets or household rubbish; the fumes are toxic.
Smokeless coal or dry, seasoned hardwood works best on an open grate. HETAS, the solid-fuel safety body, recommends sweeping the chimney at least once a year — twice if you burn coal. A sweep costs £60 to £90 and is the cheapest fire insurance you will ever buy.
11. Small Lounge, Big Warmth
A lit fire as the focal point of a cosy sitting room — Photo: geograph.org.uk contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
A small lounge can still have a glorious fire — you just style around it. Keep the mantel simple so the chimney breast does not feel crowded, and choose a slim fireguard that hugs the opening. Pale paint on the breast bounces the firelight around the room.
Pull seating close: two small armchairs angled toward the hearth beat one big sofa pushed against the far wall. Our guide to choosing living room furniture covers fireside layouts room by room. A mirror above the mantel doubles the glow and the sense of space.
12. Arts-and-Crafts Character
An Arts-and-Crafts inglenook fireplace with tiled surround — Photo: geograph.org.uk contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
The Arts-and-Crafts movement gave Britain some of its loveliest fireplaces: handmade tiles, oak beams and inglenook seats built into the chimney breast. If you are lucky enough to have one, restore it rather than replace it — original features add real value to a period home.
Reproduction tiles from specialist makers cost £5 to £15 each and can refresh a tired surround without ripping it out. Pair the fireplace with warm woods and simple fabrics for the full cosy effect. This is slow decorating at its best: buy once, enjoy for decades.
FAQs
Is an open fire expensive to run?
It can be. An open fire burns about eight logs an hour versus two for a stove, says Ideal Home. Buy smokeless fuel in bulk and only light the fire on cold evenings to keep costs down.
Open fire or wood burner — which is better?
For heat and efficiency, the wood burner wins easily. For atmosphere and the joy of a real open flame, nothing beats an open fire. Choose based on what matters most to you.
How often should I sweep the chimney?
At least once a year, says HETAS — twice a year if you burn coal regularly. A professional sweep costs £60 to £90.
Can I burn wood on an open fire in a smoke-control area?
No — most UK towns are smoke-control areas, so only smokeless fuels on an open fire. Wood is only allowed in a DEFRA-exempt stove. Check your council's rules first.
How do I keep children safe near an open fire?
Use a sturdy freestanding fireguard at least 50 cm tall, fixed so it cannot topple. Teach little ones the one-metre rule: no closer than that, ever.
What can I put in a fireplace I never use?
Stacked logs, pillar candles in glass holders, fairy lights in a jar, or a trailing houseplant. All cheap, all pretty, and all draught-proof the opening a little too.
Final Thoughts
An open fire is about feeling, not efficiency — and there is nothing wrong with that. These open fireplace ideas prove a little styling goes a long way: dress the mantel, burn the right fuel, sweep the chimney and guard it well. Do those four things and your fire will give you years of cosy evenings. Light it, sit back, and enjoy the best seat in the house.
Open Fireplace Gallery
A burning open fireplace in a cosy room — Photo: MoonBoy5, via Wikimedia Commons
Flames dancing over burning wood — Photo: Bosancica by MK, via Wikimedia Commons
A classic mantelpiece ready for styling — Photo: Mindmatrix, via Wikimedia Commons
A stone inglenook fireplace in a cottage — Photo: geograph.org.uk contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
A grand open fire burning brightly — Photo: geograph.org.uk contributor, via Wikimedia Commons
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