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Why Are Fireplaces Growing in Popularity? 

Mar 13, 2023

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Fireplaces used to be a feature of almost every home. Then, for a while, they faded in popularity and became something of a rarity. Over the last decade or so, the trend has reversed, and there has been an overwhelming surge in fireplace popularity. More people are including fireplaces in the homes they build, they're more interested in buying houses with fireplaces already installed, and they're spending more time in environments where fireplaces are available.

What's to account for this unexpected turn in popularity?

More Fuel Types

There are more types of fireplaces available than ever before. Each fuel type comes with its own strengths and weaknesses, as well as the unique feel to the flame that's emitted. Additionally, people who historically avoided wood-burning fireplaces because of safety concerns or local laws now have fireplace options available to them.

  • Conventional wood. Traditional wood remains one of the most popular fuel choices for modern fireplaces. Wood produces a deep, crackling fire, a scent that most people find pleasant and soothing, and a nostalgic, familiar experience overall. Not everyone can legally install a wood burning fireplace, but this is an attractive option to most others.

  • Electric. Electric fireplaces are skyrocketing in popularity, in part because of how easy they are to install. You can plug these fireplaces into any outlet, and they'll produce a flame that emits heat and a beautiful light. It's not the same experience as burning wood, but it gets rather close.

  • Gas. Gas fireplaces also exist, relying on natural gas or propane to produce a clean flame. These fireplaces produce less pollution than wood fireplaces, but they require the installation of a separate gas line. Additionally, there's a small risk of a carbon monoxide leak if the fireplace isn't installed or maintained properly.

  • Ethanol. Ethanol is yet another type of fireplace that produces a clean flame, but it doesn't emit as much heat as some of the other options.


More Fireplace Design Options

Similarly, there are more fireplace design options available to modern consumers:

  • Conventional open hearths. The traditional design of open hearths is an image most of us are familiar with, and it lends itself to a very familiar experience.

  • Built-in inserts. If you're looking for an easier installation, you can choose to install a built-in insert.

  • Freestanding fireplaces. Freestanding fireplaces are also easy to install, relying on no existing structures to emit light and heat.

  • Outdoor fireplaces. If there's no room in your house, or if you're just more comfortable with your fireplace being outside, you can always get an outdoor fireplace. This is also valuable if you like entertaining outdoors.

  • Wood-burning stoves. Traditional wood-burning stoves technically aren’t fireplaces, but they’re functionally similar in multiple ways.


Ease of Installation

Some of this rise in popularity is attributable to increased ease of installation. If your house doesn't currently have a fireplace, it's tempting to believe that fireplaces simply aren't an option for you. But modern fireplaces are designed to be modular and easy to install. Whatever type of fireplace you're looking for, you can hire an affordable contractor to help you install it properly. In some cases, you may even be able to do the installation work yourself.

Effects on Home Value

Real estate agents estimate that a fireplace can add $1,000-5,000 to a home’s value. With more consumers and real estate investors focused on building home equity, this is a nice advantage. Depending on what you spend on the fireplace, you may not see a full return on your investment, but you should at least be able to mitigate some of the costs.

Nostalgia and Sentimentality

We can also speculate that a desire for fireplaces comes from a place of nostalgia and sentimentality. People miss simpler times when fireplaces and conversations around the fire were more commonplace, so they seek to replicate those times.

Home Pride

Partially attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns, people are staying home more often. We work from home. We entertain ourselves from home. And we don't really like going out. Since we're spending so much time in a closed home environment, we're more interested in improving the aesthetics of this space.

Social Influences

It's also possible that the popularity of fireplaces is fueling itself. If you're surrounded by people who have awesome fireplaces in their houses, you'll be more likely to get a fireplace yourself, regardless of whether you came up with that idea on your own.

There are many reasons why fireplaces are growing in popularity, and most of them are only going to become more influential in the future. If you're thinking about adding a fireplace to your existing home, now could be the perfect time to start shopping for the perfect addition for your needs.

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