Electric fireplace in an apartment - transforming the interior

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Electric fireplaces can add extra warmth to your home. Installing an electric fireplace does not take much time, since you just need to mount it in the wall and connect it to the home electrical network.

In this article, we have collected enough information to help you install it. Also here you will learn how to connect an electric fireplace in an apartment with your own hands.

Types by location

Wall-mounted

Structures are also divided by location. There are only four options for placing a fireplace in the rooms of the house. The room can be decorated with a classic wall-mounted, neat built-in, practical corner or spectacular island fireplace. Let's look at the features of each of them. A wall-mounted fireplace is the most classic option. It was these fireplaces that were built in rich houses in our country before the widespread use of steam heating. When manufactured correctly, it has good heating efficiency and looks stylish. There are also disadvantages to this design. First of all, you need to take into account that a wall-mounted fireplace requires space. Of course, if we are talking about a spacious cottage with a fireplace room, there will be no problems with space. But a standard apartment or a small private house is not the best place for such a structure. The way out of this situation is to install a version half recessed into the wall. The portal in this design protrudes only the width of the palm and does not require space.

Corner and island

A corner fireplace takes up no less space, but its location allows it to be installed in fairly modest rooms. In addition, the corner of the room is not often used to place furniture. Another advantage of this design is the relative ease of manufacture.

An island fireplace is the most impractical option. It requires a large room, it cannot be installed in many rooms - for example, a bedroom with a similar design is difficult to imagine, and a kitchen with an installed island fireplace must be truly enormous in size, otherwise moving around it will be inconvenient and unsafe. The main advantage of this option is the original design of the fireplace, which can enliven even a very dull interior.

Built-in and suspended

A built-in, and even more so a hanging fireplace is a mere baby compared to other types of these heating devices. After all, the modern wall-mounted version appeared only when advances made it possible not only to create a safe and reliable electric heater, but also to simulate the effect of a living flame with a sufficient degree of reliability.

And the device hung on the wall has come into use quite recently. There are many advantages to this option. The fireplace can be placed however you like; it does not require significant space, which means it is the only feasible solution for a city apartment. Small hanging fireplaces can be placed even in a compact kitchen. If installed correctly, an electric fireplace is absolutely fireproof, and it usually costs less than its wood-burning or even gas counterparts.

Design

The style of the fireplace should be chosen based on the overall interior of the room.

Finishing the wall with a fireplace with stone up to the ceiling will help visually increase (or emphasize) the height of the room. Such a fireplace will inevitably become the center of the interior, so you should approach its design wisely. The stone finish will contrast interestingly with the wood, which will help add a “zest” to the interior of the room. The color and size of the stone can be absolutely any - it all depends on your imagination. Moreover, this decoration will fit perfectly even into a modern interior, giving the room a cozy and warm atmosphere.

Modern fireplaces look more sophisticated

Basically, they are made in a minimalist style, so they will not take all the attention to themselves, but will only complement the interior. Most often they look like “plasma”, but they can also have different frames, mainly in metallic shades

Such fireplaces look especially interesting against the background of light-colored walls. Also an original solution would be to place a fireplace in the bathroom or dining room.

A metal fireplace is quite difficult to fit into the interior if there are no other metal parts in the room, but it will fit perfectly into an industrial-style room. This design will also look good in modern apartment or house designs. It can be interestingly integrated into other interiors by adding matching elements made of metal or a metallic shade.

A fireplace covered with wood can bring coziness to any interior. It will fit well not only into rustic, but also into modern room design, contrasting with simple details. The combination of wood and stone looks good. It is worth knowing that for safety reasons, wooden trim can only be used with electric fireplaces with a metal frame. Furniture needs to be selected carefully. For example, “wild cherry” furniture is suitable.

The fireplace can be placed in the corner of the room. This arrangement will help to rationally use the free space of the room, since corners are used quite rarely. This design is perfect for small rooms. In addition, the interior with a corner fireplace will be more “smooth”. However, it is worth carefully considering the shape and design, since not all types of fireplaces can be easily installed in a corner. This hearth can be decorated in any style. A TV or clock is hung above it.

Scandinavian fireplaces have a simple and laconic appearance, so the furniture in the room should be appropriate. They can be of completely different shapes and sizes, and, regardless of this, give the room a special look. They can also be made from different materials. Such designs, due to their shape, fit perfectly into the corner of the room. The most popular design color is white, as it emphasizes the simplicity and “lightness” of such a fireplace. The wall and cabinet should not be bright. A wood sticker can be used.

Type of electric fireplaces

Long gone are the days when electric heaters had a simple and unattractive design. Older models dried out the air and caused broken plugs. Today the situation is different. Modern models are characterized by compactness, convenience and safety. The corner fireplace, powered by the network, is one of these models.

There are several types of electric fireplaces.

1. Decorative ones that perform only one function - they imitate the fire of a regular fireplace.
2. Heaters that visually look like a classic fireplace, but are equipped with one or more heating devices.
3. Universal models that are in greatest demand. Here you simultaneously get an attractive picture that simulates a flame, and at the same time heat the room. Thanks to the combination of two functions, this type of electric fireplace is considered as close as possible to the wood-burning option.

Their power does not exceed 2 kW, so you can safely plug this device into an outlet. The latest models of electric fireplaces with a built-in heater often have a heating regulator, which can be smooth or stepped. The built-in controller allows you to set a certain degree of heating depending on the needs of the residents.

The decorative function in an electric fireplace is performed by imitation of a live fire. How realistic it will be depends on the cost of the device. For example, in cheap models you will not be able to see a flickering flame, smoke, smell or hear the cracking of logs. In simple models, several lamps are installed that illuminate the scenery. This method cannot achieve realism, but you can create a pleasant atmosphere in the room. Expensive models are very similar to a real fireplace. Thanks to rotating reflectors and flickering light, shadows and reflections are created.

They have a special backlight with flickering, a fan and ribbons made of foil or silk fabric. In addition, there is a special reflector system. Air currents cause the stripes to flutter like a flame. At the same time, water vapor is sent into the firebox, which imitates smoke from a fire. The cracklers that expensive models are equipped with are responsible for sound effects: they produce the sounds of rustling flames and crackling firewood.

Some companies allow you to add this option to existing fireplace models for an additional fee. To achieve complete similarity, you can use flavors that smell like natural smoke. Some models even provide the ability to clean or humidify the air.

Electric fireplaces can be classified according to their type of design:

• free-standing, which look like a cast-iron fireplace or stove-stove;
• built-in models, which are called cassettes;
• electric fireplaces that are built into a pre-prepared portal;
• wall-mounted, which can be installed at different levels.

The first 3 types of execution provide for frontal and angular orientation. Corner-shaped fireplaces are best suited for small apartments, since they are compact and do not require special conditions.

How do they work?

A quality electric fireplace with an elegant design will create a realistic flame of fire that will radiate pleasant warmth. This touch will brighten up any living room.

Modern electric models use heating coils and silent fans that can produce real heat. They have a reflector installed that reflects the light from the LED lamps, creating a realistic flickering of the fire and the flame itself. LED lights replace real fire, but the flames look really realistic. Some electric models even have a special device installed that produces a crackling sound, which also enhances the effect.

When comparing traditional gas fireplaces to electric options, the running costs may not seem worth it. But here it is necessary to take into account the cost of not only installation, but also maintenance. In this fight, the electric model also wins, since significant maintenance costs are not required.

Electric fireplace installation

You can install a built-in fireplace yourself, the main thing is to comply with safety requirements and take into account the layout of the room. There is a huge variety of electric fireplaces - rectangular, round, square, open or closed, wide-format and with a curved firebox, there are corner and mini models. Electric ovens occupy a separate niche.

For installation, a portal is made of plasterboard, stone, polyurethane, or a niche in the wall is used. Portals can also be purchased together with an electric fireplace. The depth of the niche should correspond to the dimensions of the hearth; the most common sizes are 30-60 cm.

In some cases, when wall partitions do not allow you to build a fireplace, for example, in a studio apartment, or with thin partitions where an electric fireplace simply will not fit, you can build the fireplace into the furniture or choose a double-sided model. Also, as an option, decorate the protruding part with plasterboard in the adjacent room,

the ledge will make an original shelf.

To give an electric fireplace a solid look as a piece of furniture, you can make an imitation of a real fireplace yourself or buy a ready-made large case - a portal.

During installation, you can place the fireplace at any height from the floor, depending on your tastes and the design of the room. To avoid cracks in the wall or undesirable consequences if installed incorrectly, you should follow all the recommendations specified in the instructions and connect to the wall.

To start using the fireplace, you need to turn it on. This principle applies to both mini-models and electric ovens. With a high power model, you should take care of the condition of the wiring.

Stage 6. Wiring communications

The next step in creating an electric fireplace is wiring the cables to the location of the structure. It is recommended to use cables with “self-extinguishing” insulation with a cross-section of 2.5x2 for this purpose. In the portal itself, the cable is laid in a metal “sleeve”.

Note! If there is grounding in the apartment, a three-core cable should be used. Then the fireplace will need a ceramic socket with grounding.

When installing an outlet, it is advisable to also connect a switch - in this case, you will not have to remove it every time you need to turn off the device. In other words, you can turn it on/off using a switch.

Advantages of electric fireplaces

An electric fireplace heats a room using infrared radiation, but visually it imitates a live fire.

Electric fireplace in the living room interior

Advantages of electric fireplaces over live fire:

1. Easy to install. Unlike real ones, before installing an electric fireplace you do not need to install ventilation and a chimney.
2. The ability to easily move the device to another location.
3. Fire safety, no soot, smoke, sparks, soot.
4. Insignificant, and therefore safe, heating of the case.
5. Uniform heat distribution throughout the living room area. Automatic temperature control using a thermostat.
6. Small thickness, so the electrical device can be installed anywhere. You can purchase a compact model, which will be much smaller than a portal with a real fire, and therefore it will easily fit into a small room.
7. Economical. This applies to both energy consumption and price.
8. Natural imitation of the wood burning process.

Interior of a city apartment with an electric fireplace

Stage 7. Sheathing with plasterboard

After wiring the cable, it is necessary to cover the frame with plasterboard.

Step 1. Using a stationery knife, cut out sheets of material of appropriate sizes.

Step 2. The sheets are attached to the profile using a screwdriver. For this, “seed” screws (black, intended for metal) measuring 2.5 x 0.3 cm are used.

Fastening drywall sheets

Step 3. The joints between the sheets of drywall are puttied with sealant.

Step 4. This material itself is quite fragile, so all corners of the electric fireplace are reinforced with galvanized steel corners (necessarily perforated).

Step 5. All surfaces are primed and puttied.

Step 6. Preliminary fitting of the electric furnace in the finished frame is carried out. Opposite the ventilation lugs located in the device body, holes are made in the drywall. If this is not done, the firebox will overheat during operation.

Puttying plasterboard sheets

Dimensions of fireplaces, their design and types

The smallest electric fireplaces are the size of an eighth of a square meter, they can be portable, and most often they are only of an applied nature. The products are very convenient in everyday life for heating purposes.

The design of electric fireplaces has its own standards, namely, the standard design consists of two main parts:

• The portal is the outer part or frame; it can have an interesting design and decoration.
• The hearth is the firebox of an electric fireplace, the functional part.

An electric fireplace is much safer than a classic fireplace; it dries out the air in the room less and is easier to operate and clean.

By size, electric fireplaces are divided into:

• microfireplaces that have dimensions of 35cm*50cm*20cm;
• small fireplaces, the dimensions of which fluctuate around 60cm*65cm*32cm;
• large models in which any parameter exceeds 1 meter.

Depending on the placement, there are several types of structures:

• floor;
• built into the wall (the so-called “hearth in the wall”);
• attached.

Their price can range from 10 thousand to 250 thousand rubles due to additional effects, such as flame visualization and humidification functions.

An electric fireplace is considered large if it measures more than 50 cm in height and 70 cm in width. Most often they are installed on the floor in large niches.

The decoration of the fireplace can be completely different, especially if you have a large financial reserve. You can make a fireplace with carvings, special masonry, stylized in the spirit of the Renaissance, or cover the protective grille with precious metal.

Features and Benefits

Many modern owners prefer to decorate their living rooms with electric fireplaces. This device will give you only pleasure. The models simulate smoldering firewood, a real flame, the brightness of which can be adjusted. Using the remote control, you can control the device comfortably.

Some electronic fireplaces have a fan heater. This means that they can heat a large room. This function will be especially relevant when the heating is turned off in the autumn or spring. Thus, you will not only find a stylish piece of decor, but also find a replacement for a simple heater.

Modern models have LED backlighting, which means they save energy. A stylish room will always lift your mood and put your family in a positive mood. An attractive fireplace will create an unforgettable atmosphere of comfort and home.

The products have a number of advantages:

Stylish aesthetic look. Each fireplace has an attractive design. You can choose the option that best suits your home. In this case, you should focus on the style of the room so that a unified concept is observed

Be sure to calculate the parameters of the product before making an important purchase so that the fireplace fits seamlessly into the room

• Safety. This is another important point that makes up the advantages of electronic fireplaces. These products do not require special permits for installation. They are fire resistant.
• Easy to install. The devices do not require a chimney, will not become sources of contamination of furniture or rooms, and will not “eat up” the oxygen in the room.
• Economical. You will not need to constantly buy coal and firewood.
• Such an electrical device does not require special care. You will only need to keep it clean. The device operates from a household network.
• No need to worry if you have small children at home. You can safely install an electric fireplace in the living room. It will not harm any member of your family.

Among the many advantages, there are also disadvantages of the products. For example, the very principle of operation of the device resembles a fan heater. The air is forced through the heating coils, causing a slight noise to be heard. It makes some customers uncomfortable. Significant energy consumption occurs if you set the product to heating mode. When you turn on additional devices, the wiring may simply not withstand it. Therefore, it is worth considering these parameters in advance. The artificial flame pattern is repeated with some cyclicity. This allows you to realize that this is not a real fireplace after all. If these nuances do not scare you, then you can safely install this attractive product in your living room.

Electrical safety requirements

For powerful electrical appliances, it is advisable to replace the old wiring with a new one.
Before you start using the electric fireplace, you should carefully study the instructions for the device. Failure to comply with safety requirements may result in a fire hazard.

During operation, the electric fireplace heats up. To prevent burns, do not touch the heating surface. It is important that all flammable objects are kept at least a meter away from the device. It is strictly forbidden to cover the fireplace.

Cleaning of equipment is only permissible when it is disconnected from the network. If the device is not used for a long time, it is also recommended to unplug it.

Special precautions must be taken when using a fireplace in a home with children. Games should not be allowed near the device.

The built-in fireplace can only be used inside the living room; it cannot be installed in rooms with high levels of moisture, for example, in the bathroom.

You cannot connect the electric fireplace immediately after transportation. It must stand for at least one hour.

Electric fireplace installation

According to installation option

The designs differ in the installation method, they can be:

• floor;
• wall;
• embedded in objects;
• corner;
• prefabricated

The main design detail is its hearth. However, without the necessary design, it can only act as a mediocre heater. It is the correct design, which coincides with the overall design idea of ​​the entire room, that can turn it into an unforgettable element of decor.

You can install the wall sample next to the outlet to which the power cord is actually connected. The wall-mounted model is framed and mounted a meter from the floor covering. A corner fireplace will allow you to save space in the room.

Experts do not recommend placing built-in units on the opposite side of the light source - the effects built into the equipment may noticeably fade. Try to keep the hearth deep, this will add realism to the flame.

In any case, the installation of an electric fireplace begins with the formation of a portal for it. Creating a frame is not difficult at all. It is enough to build a metal profile and place plasterboard panels on top of it. Do not forget to cover the resulting joints, irregularities and crevices with putty and primer mixture. The socket is mounted next to the fireplace in a special niche.

Further processing depends only on you. As finishing, you can use natural materials - wood or stone, plaster, as well as artificial components. Recently, apartment owners have given preference to glass finishes interspersed with natural fibers. The amount of money you have will help you decide on the variety of options.

Taking into account the placement of the device in the apartment

An electric fireplace looks great in a studio apartment where the kitchen is combined with the living room. Here the product will fit well along the wall, located perpendicular to the windows. Let the soft, comfortable sofas stand a meter from the electric fireplace, and place a low table between them. It’s convenient when sitting on the sofa, you can easily reach the shelf with books located on the side and slightly behind. A mandatory attribute of such an interior is a soft carpet.

It’s nice to look at an electric fireplace in the bedroom while lying on the bed, with a loved one or alone, relaxing after a working day. It is advisable to build small shelves for photographs and postcards into the portal for the device.

The main thing is to take care of high-quality subsequent finishing

Adherents of the teachings of Feng Shui should place the structure in the southern part of the apartment, away from sewers and pipes that can “extinguish” the energy of the fire.

Installed in furniture pieces

Advanced technologies make it possible to harmoniously fit fireplace inserts into ready-made cabinets. This original solution decorates not only the room, but also the furniture set. The hearth is framed and mounted in a prepared niche. The idea of ​​mortise-mounted household appliances has long been practiced in kitchen sets.

MDF or plastic from which furniture elements are made cannot but impose restrictions on the fireplaces built into them. This occurs due to the sensitivity of surfaces to temperature changes.

The built-in hearth should only serve as the illusion of fire. The most neutral and most successful option would be an electric fireplace without a heating function. Another alternative solution could be a built-in bio-fireplace, the heat from which is also minimal.

Non-trivial design solution

Summarizing the topic of classification, it should be noted that built-in fireplaces have characteristic advantages and disadvantages. Positive properties include ease of installation, the possibility of double-sided heating, stylish design, and space saving. The disadvantage is the need for a chimney and the inability to use the heating function of a fireplace built into the furniture.

What should you consider before installation work?

Before you purchase a heater and begin installing it, you need to resolve several important issues:

1. What is the main purpose of the device?
2. Where will the hearth be located?
3. What design will it have?
4. How will the electric fireplace be connected to the network?

We will briefly tell you about each nuance of self-installation.

So, the first thing you must decide is what this type of electric heater will be used for in your house or apartment. Most often, an electric fireplace is installed for decorative purposes - to make the living room more comfortable or to give the bedroom a romantic atmosphere. However, this does not mean that such a device will not perform its main function - heating the room. The power of an electric fireplace usually varies between 1-2 kW, which is quite enough to heat a room of 20 square meters. meters. If any room lacks a central heating system, such equipment can save the situation and make the room warm.

The next, no less important question is where to install the electric fireplace in the room. Here it’s up to you to decide where it’s best to place it, but consider the following requirements:

• Direct exposure to sunlight and bright light from light bulbs will degrade the quality of artificial fire, so it is better to place the device in a darkened corner or a plasterboard niche.
• If you choose a hanging design option (more on this later), the hearth should hang no lower than 1 meter from the floor. Otherwise, it will be covered by other interior elements.
• In addition to the previous requirement, it should be noted that the installation location and connection of the electric fireplace must be such that it is the “highlight” of the room’s interior. Various cabinets, paintings and figurines should complement the electric heater, but not dominate it in design.
• If the room is spacious, you need to install the electric fireplace in the center, but not in a secluded corner.
• There should be a socket near the selected connection point so as not to draw a new line from the junction box.
• We highly recommend not placing a fireplace under the TV, because... Heat generation may adversely affect the operation of the screen.
• If you want to decorate your interior according to Feng Shui, place the fireplace in one of the corners. It is believed that negative energy accumulates in the corners of the room, which is neutralized by the positive energy of a corner electric fireplace.
• If the room is small, but you still want to install this type of electric heater in it, buy a corner housing. In this case, you will “kill two birds with one stone”: you will save free space and make your dream come true.

The third question is choosing a suitable design depending on the location of the installation of the electric fireplace in the apartment with your own hands. It should be noted here that electric fireplaces can be corner, wall-mounted, built-in and attached (all 4 options are shown in the photo below). As for the last two options, the attached fireplace does not need to be mounted into the wall, but just needs to be moved to a suitable place, which significantly facilitates installation work. With the installation of a built-in electric fireplace, things are more complicated, because... For installation it is necessary to make a special plasterboard structure or a niche in the wall. The advantage of a portal heater is that it can be lined with natural stone or wood, creating a design similar to a real wood-burning fireplace.

Well, the last nuance is the method of connecting the electric fireplace to the electrical network in the apartment. Everything here is quite simple - due to its low power, the fireplace can be connected to a regular outlet, the main thing is that no more powerful electrical appliances are connected to this electrical point. It is not entirely reasonable to draw a new line from the distribution box, unless, of course, the place for the electric heater is chosen at the stage of a major overhaul. If you are really thinking about installing an electric fireplace while renovating your apartment, install one separate outlet in a suitable location and you won’t have any hassle.

The wires are visible - the socket is installed incorrectly

Having dealt with all the nuances, you can proceed to connecting the electric fireplace to the network with your own hands, which we will talk about next.

Where to install

Future fireplace owners often wonder: where is the best place to install a corner fireplace to make it beautiful and practical? The fireplace is installed on an internal or external wall. If you choose the first option, installation difficulties may arise due to the elevation of the chimney. In the second case, installation is less problematic, but requires prior approval from the relevant authorities.

Whatever fireplace option you choose (except for an electric fireplace), everything related to the presence of fire must be installed in accordance with fire safety requirements. Everything else is at the discretion of the owner. The only thing is that it is not recommended to install a fireplace opposite windows and entrance doors to avoid drafts.

Step-by-step instructions for making an electric fireplace portal

The question arises, how to make an electric fireplace with steam with your own hands? Let's figure it out. Models of electric fireplaces are different and they are made from different materials. For example, such as: plasterboard, stone, noble wood, chipboard, plywood and many others.

To create an electric fireplace with your own hands, no special skills are required, the main thing is to strictly follow the instructions

You can make an electric fireplace with your own hands, step-by-step instructions for which are presented, without any problems. The fact that it is divided into parts is only a plus, since you can choose the most optimal option based on your preferences and capabilities. About

Types of fireplaces

Depending on the type of fuel, installation method, style and location, models come in different types: wood-burning, gas, electric, floor-mounted, wall-mounted, straight, corner, stone, timber. There are devices that don't even need a chimney. They do not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere, although they function on the principle of living fire.

Built-in options take up little space, but the space for them should be taken into account in advance when designing the interior so as not to disturb the structure of the walls. If you decide to install equipment after renovation, the best option is a wall-mounted fireplace. As for the exterior decoration, it can be made of stone, brick, and other materials.

In addition to the above, island and corner fireplaces are popular - they fit organically into the interior, becoming an integral part of it.

3D electric fireplaces - the choice for a stylish interior

Another interesting nuance. The lucky ones who have the opportunity to choose a traditional solution will say that the unique atmosphere of a living flame, characteristic of a wood-burning fireplace, cannot be faked. But this is no longer an indisputable statement. Modern electrical devices have achieved amazingly realistic imitation of a living flame. The developed, unique solutions have become a real breakthrough in 3D visualization. Look for yourself in the photo and be sure to video at the end of the article.

Using electric versions of the traditional wood burning solution allowed the fireplace to step into the water

The effect obtained by reflecting light and using spot lighting makes the imitation of burning logs so real that sometimes you want to make sure that this is not a real fire. The 3D flame and smoke effect allows you to achieve an almost perfect, 3D illusion of fire. The unique technique involves creating water vapor using ultrasound, similar to that used in steam generators and humidifiers. This steam rises and creates the illusion of a living fire, floating above it like smoke above real burning wood.

The classic style presupposes and encourages the appearance of decorative elements in it to create coziness

If you want to really bring a breath of fresh air into the interior of your apartment, then purchasing a 3D fireplace will be absolutely the right decision. With limited space, you can play with the design of the room and place an electric fireplace and a TV on the same wall. Another proven option would be to install a corner device. 3D electric fireplaces with the effect of a live fire will be appropriate not only in a small living room, but also in any other room, for example, in a bedroom. The main thing is to correctly determine the design and size of the device, which must correspond to the parameters and general design of the room.

The magnificent ability of these devices to seamlessly integrate into any design and any space
Date: September 25, 2022