One of the first projects after moving into our home will be adding a fireplace to our living room. You can view the living room design and layout here. Over the past few years, I have noticed more fireplace DIY’s, especially with electric fireplace units and we plan to do just that.
For this project, I’m working with SimpliFire and already have the unit sitting in our garage. So exciting! The next step is narrowing down the design because once we move into our home, we want to be ready to rock and roll!
*Thank you SimpliFire for sponsoring this post. See my full disclosure here and thank you for using my links!
I selected the 30″ Built In Electric Frame fireplace because I wanted a transitional fireplace for our living room space. I like the square and modern feel of this particular fireplace unit and think a fireplace surround will fit better around a square fireplace insert. SimpliFire offers several different unit sizes, as well as linear electric fireplaces and fireplace inserts for your existing fireplace. You can use code FrengParty10 for 10% off your purchase of SimpliFire fireplaces (through Feb. 28th, 2022).
The plan is to frame out the fireplace, in between our two living room windows, with framing 2×4’s and add drywall surrounding the bump out. I originally wanted to DIY a faux plaster finish to the fireplace in a light concrete gray color, but after seeing some gorgeous traditional fireplaces, I’m leaning towards either building a mantel surround or purchasing one.
Here’s some inspiration that I have saved over the past few weeks. Let me know which one is your favorite because they are all amazing. I can’t wait to get started on our new fireplace!
I love how Young House Love DIY’d this fireplace surround. It looks like an expensive stone fireplace, but they created this looks with a few boards and some paint.
I love this tapered fireplace! The hearth, the mantel, everything about it is just gorgeous.
Hi!
I’m wondering if you’d previously had electric or gas fireplace and if you can share why the choice of electric and not gas. I have had gas fireplaces (I loved my gas fireplace and stove) in my previous homes and am possibly looking at electric this time around so we can make the most use utilizing solar panels. I’m struggling with the decision of electric over gas. Much thanks on any thoughts. 🙂
Hi Stephanie! We previously had a gas fireplace and chose to try electric this time around, mainly due to cost of the installation and the fireplace unit. Our last gas fireplace also put off a lot of heat and we found that we were using it less because it was over heating the space. I like the idea of electric for a cozy feeling and not necessarily heating. That being said, I haven’t tried electric and will report back when we install it and have tried using it in our space.
Nice article
would love to also see what we do here!