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How to Add a Fireplace to a Room That Doesn't Have One

How to Add a Fireplace to a Room That Doesn't Have One

Oct 21st 2026

A fireplace gives a room a focal point, a gathering place, and a sense of calm at the end of the day. But if your home was built without one, adding a wood-burning or gas fireplace can mean a chimney, venting, a gas line, and a serious construction budget.

Electric fireplaces change that. They need no venting and no fuel, and today's flame technology looks far more convincing than many people expect. Below, we walk through the three most common ways to add one, plus what to think about before you buy.

Before You Shop: A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Choose the wall and check the space

Think about where people naturally sit, where the TV is (or will be), and what's on the other side of the wall. A wall-mount unit mainly needs clear wall space and a solid place to fasten the bracket. A recessed unit needs enough wall depth, or a framed chase or media wall built out to hold it. Recessed models list their framing dimensions on their product pages, so measure first.

Plug-in or hardwired?

This is one of the biggest decisions. Many electric fireplaces simply plug into a standard household outlet. Others are designed to be hardwired, often with a 240V option that can unlock more heat output, and some offer both. If you're hardwiring, have a licensed electrician handle the connection.

Size the fireplace to the room

A fireplace should feel proportional to the wall and furniture around it. A long linear unit can anchor a great room or wide media wall, while a smaller firebox may feel just right in a bedroom or den. If you're pairing it with a TV, consider how the two widths will look together.

Understand heat output

Most electric fireplaces run the flames with or without heat, so you can enjoy the look all year. The heater is typically meant as supplemental zone heat rather than a replacement for your home's heating system. Output varies by model and by how it's powered, so check each product's specifications against the size of your room.

Option 1: Wall-Mount Electric Fireplaces

For the simplest path from "no fireplace" to "fireplace," a wall-mount unit is hard to beat. These slim fireplaces hang much like a flat-screen TV, and many plug into a nearby outlet. No framing and no demolition, which makes them a great fit for apartments, bedrooms, and home offices.

A good example is the Napoleon Entice 50" Wall-Hanging Linear Electric Fireplace. It comes with a bracket for hanging and plugs into a regular 120V outlet, and it can be hung on the wall, partially recessed, or fully recessed. Its nearly frameless black finish keeps the focus on the flames, with adjustable ember bed colors to match your decor.

Browse more options in our Wall-Mount/Linear Fireplaces collection.

Option 2: Built-In Electric Fireplaces (Recessed and Linear)

For a true "it's always been here" look, a built-in electric fireplace is the way to go. These units are recessed into a wall, a framed chase, or a custom media wall, then finished with drywall, tile, stone, or a mantel. The result looks like a permanent architectural feature, without a chimney or gas line.

Featured: Dimplex Revillusion

We've seen Revillusion transform a room that never had a fireplace into one that feels like it was always part of the home. It's designed for built-in applications with no venting required, and it pairs Revillusion Flame Technology with Realogs crafted from real wood and lit from within for a glowing, pulsating effect. A full-depth view lets you see through the flames for added realism, and the mood-maker remote lets you adjust flame brightness and color.

The Dimplex Revillusion Black 42" Built-In Electric Firebox (REV42-BL) lists framing dimensions of 42 5/8" wide, 30 5/8" high, and 12 1/2" deep on its product page, so it's easy to plan your opening ahead of time. If you prefer a smaller footprint, the Dimplex Revillusion Black 30" Built-In Electric Firebox (REV30-BL) brings the same traditional look to a more compact opening. Explore every finish and size in the Dimplex Revillusion Series.

Going linear with Dimplex Ignite

If your style leans modern, a linear fireplace creates a long, clean ribbon of flame that pairs beautifully with a wall-mounted TV. The Dimplex Ignite family is a strong place to start.

Option 3: Electric Fireplace Inserts

Maybe your room does have an opening, just not a working fireplace. Perhaps it's an old firebox you never use, a decorative mantel with nothing inside, or a fireplace you'd rather not maintain. An electric insert slides into that existing space and turns it into a real focal point again, no chimney cleaning required.

The Napoleon Rosedale 29" Electric Fireplace Insert is a versatile example. It can be retrofitted into an existing wood-burning firebox or built into a new framed space. It's ready to plug in out of the box and can also be hardwired. Its product page lists heat output of 5,000 BTU when plugged in at 120V and 10,000 BTU when hardwired at 240V, a good illustration of how the power connection affects heat.

If you already have a fireplace opening and want the simplest possible update, an electric log set is another option. The Dimplex Revillusion 25" Plug-in Electric Log Set (RLG25) sits in an existing fireplace and plugs into any standard household outlet, with a full-depth design that lets you see through the flames to the back of the firebox.

Explore more in our Fireboxes & Inserts and Electric Fireplace Log Sets collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do electric fireplaces need a chimney or venting?
No. Electric fireplaces don't burn fuel, so they don't need a chimney, flue, or vent. That's what makes them ideal for rooms that were never built for a fireplace.

Can I install an electric fireplace myself?
Many plug-in and wall-mount models are designed for straightforward installation. Built-in units often involve framing and finishing work, and any hardwired connection should be completed by a licensed electrician. Always follow the manufacturer's installation manual.

Can I run the flames without the heat?
On most models, yes. You can enjoy the flame effect year-round and turn the heater on only when you want extra warmth.

Will an electric fireplace heat my whole house?
Electric fireplaces are best thought of as supplemental zone heat for the room they're in. Check each product's specifications to see how much heat it's designed to provide.

Ready to Add a Fireplace?

A room without a fireplace doesn't have to stay that way. Whether you hang a slim unit on the wall, build around a recessed firebox, or revive an unused opening, an electric fireplace delivers the look and comfort of a fire with far less complexity.

Shop our full collection of Electric Fireplaces to find the right fit for your space. Not sure which style or size is right? Our team is happy to help. Call us at 866-238-9228, email customerservice@blazzingfire.com, or visit our Contact Us page.

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