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Should I Keep An Original Fireplace In My Home?

If you’re buying a house you may find that an original fireplace is a feature of your new living space.

At one time, fireplaces were a key feature in any room. However, thanks to modern heating, finding one in modern homes is becoming increasingly unlikely since chimneys are a significant source of heat loss. Furthermore, fireplaces are often inefficient when it comes to heating a property.

Since we are all working towards reducing our carbon footprints these days, it may sound counterintuitive to keep a feature that will counteract those efforts. Yet, there’s another side to consider. Many people who come to us here at WPR are looking for a new home with a fireplace when making their next property purchase.

So, this raises the question – is it best to keep a feature fireplace, or get rid of it?

The Fireplace Problem

Although you may want to get rid of a fireplace in your new home, there’s an important factor to consider. Fireplaces form a structural component of your home’s build. That means that removing them requires structural changes to be carried out to the house and that necessitates help from a skilled and experienced construction professional. It’s often easier to leave the fireplace in situ and use it for other purposes.

A Focal Point

If you choose to keep a fireplace in your new home, you don’t need to use it for its original purpose. It’s possible to install more efficient options in the space such as a modern log burner that will allow you to retain the fireplace as a focal point. If you plan to do this, you’ll need a chimney liner installed – a task you can either do yourself or arrange for a professional to complete.

Decorating A Fireplace

If you’re buying a period property you should certainly think twice before getting rid of the fireplace. It will be a major selling point when you decide to sell the property in the future. The best course of action is to decorate the period fireplace so that it looks attractive and in keeping with your room décor but still retains the original feature.

You can decorate a period fireplace by adding a modern surround or by changing the mantelpiece to one that is more to your taste. Many people choose to make a fireplace a stand-out feature of their room by emphasising its period design by adding traditional fire irons and screen.

It’s worth bearing in mind that a surprising number of prospective home buyers come to us looking for properties that already have a fireplace installed. In fact, many people who purchase new-build properties choose to install a faux fireplace in their living rooms to recreate the traditional feel!

Whatever you’re looking for in your new home, the team here at is here to help. Get in touch with us today or visit our website at wpr.co.uk to discover the exciting properties that are available right now!