Can cheap electric fireplaces look good?

Hannimal

I am in the process of buying a property that has an electric fireplace that I don't really like - the mantle piece and the fire itself remind me of the 1990s and this is rarely a positive thing, particularly when it comes to home decor.

I'm struggling to find what to replace the fire with. I am looking for options that don't break the bank and I am very much into kind of minimalist, sleek, designs. Most things I've seen look a bit tacky. Is there anything out there that looks decent and doesn't break the bank?

FreeBear

Are you wanting solid fuel (wood/coal), gas, or a simple replacement for electric ?

Hannimal

I don't think I could afford a gas fire and I wouldn't want a wood / coal fire as I like our environment. I'd be perfectly happy with an electric fire if I found one that didn't look tacky. 

Emmia

I was going to suggest an inset fire like this one from B&Q - although I've not seen this in the flesh, so I'm not sure how realistic it looks...

 https://www.diy.com/departments/focal-point-columbus-glass-effect-electric-fire/1950800_BQ.prd

You can also get gas fires with a similar look, but these would be more expensive. The big plus though of the solid front type inset fire, is that it stops chimney draft even if the fire isn't on.

peter_333

We looked at installing a fake electric fire earlier in the year, and went down a rabbit-hole researching options.  Bottom line, from my point of view, is that if you want something that realistically mimics fire, you won't easily find it.
The closest thing we found to a realistic fire was the "Optimyst" range from Dimplex.  It uses water vapour with light shining on it to micic actual flame and smoke.  It's pretty amazing what they've achieved, but it's still not a real fire.
Almost every other imitation fire uses LED lights reflecting off the back surface on the interior of the fireplace, and I've never been impressed with them.
Another alternative is bio-ethanol fires.  They are a "real" fire, that burns from a liquid fuel, and if it's the kind of aesthetic you're after, they can look amazing!  But they are more about the show, rather than heat generation.

JIL

Do you need the fire for heat?
I find our house perfectly warm enough with the central heating on low. 
If you dont and its electric is it worth removing it altogether and having a look on pinterest for some other ideas if theres a chimney breast needs an update. I considered doing something like this, but with the tv above. Theres loads of ideas like this, especially if you want minimalist.

gwynlas

We have seen some wood stove type ones that look okay whilst off being a stove and sufficiently realistic whilst on however this would mean you need to sit it on a hearth. A mantelpiece could be fixed to the wall above if you are into display or you could choose to tile area of wall. A lot dependens on the style/age of the property and personal taste you could just remove it.

TELLIT01

What looks tacky to one person may seem to be absolute perfection to another so it's difficult to advise.  We're happy with the one we bought some years ago when our back boiler and gas fire was removed.

twopenny

I bought a white immitation log burner when my boiler broks and that sounds like the one you mention. It looks smart enough but the fan makes a noise because they are essentially fan heaters. In fact I'm still looking for one that doesn't and I've looked at loads. But you can get all sorts that look really smart and contemporary.

I haven't checked the wall ones though but the same applies, they generate hot air so there has to be some sound.

I live alone and read do a lot of quiet stuff so it really annoys me. 2 friends who have them I don't notice it because TV is the main noise or us chatting lol. A family wouldn't notice it at all.

Rosa_Damascena

I bought something similar to this in January 2019 - looks much better than what I had, and does the job. Importantly the one I bought cost all of £35 in a rock bottom sale. Not to everyone's taste I grant you but is unobtrusive in my living room.



Eta: I hate noise but this doesn't bother me, even at the high setting.

Hannimal

Emmia said:

I was going to suggest an inset fire like this one from B&Q - although I've not seen this in the flesh, so I'm not sure how realistic it looks...
 https://www.diy.com/departments/focal-point-columbus-glass-effect-electric-fire/1950800_BQ.prd
You can also get gas fires with a similar look, but these would be more expensive. The big plus though of the solid front type inset fire, is that it stops chimney draft even if the fire isn't on.

Thanks - I have to say though that to me this and the lights at the background look quite tacky though. I am Nordic and I like quite Nordic boho or modern Nordic, I think this one is very.. hmm.. how can I put it nicely..