If your thoughts are turning to winter evenings by the fireside, it’s time to kickstart plans for a new stove or fireplace. Phoebe Harper seeks expert advice on the latest styles and smart technology options to dial up the cosy factor
While the dark days of winter may still seem far away, there’s no time like the present to start making your dreams for the perfect fireplace or stove a reality before the mercury drops.
Creating a welcoming hearth that exudes warmth and comfort takes careful planning, and a glance into the options for stoves and fireplaces on today’s market shows that choosing a heat source is no longer a decision based purely on practicality – they are a bold interior design statement in their own right.
“Stoves and fireplaces are having a real moment,” says Joe Burton, an interior expert from The Brick Tile Co. “There has been a clear move away from the standard mantel-and surround composition towards fireplaces that feel more like architectural elements – whether embedded into walls, suspended from ceilings or even used as spatial dividers in open-plan layouts.”
Where the hearth is
When it comes to incorporating a fireplace into a wider design scheme, several trends are currently turning up the heat. A preference for sculptural silhouettes and expressive colours is seeing stoves become the focal point of a room, rather than a background appliance.
Laura Dadswell is the director of Westland London, home to an extensive curated antique fireplace collection. “It feels like a really joyful moment for fireplace design,” she says. “One of the most noticeable shifts is a return to coloured marbles. People are using colour with so much more confidence across their interiors, and that naturally draws them towards marbles and stones that make a statement in their own right, or work beautifully with tones already in a scheme.”
For Arada, a stove manufacturer based in Devon, black remains a practical and popular choice; but earthy shades such as terracotta, clay, green and warm neutrals are also being embraced, with more customers choosing brighter colours to turn the stove into the focal point. “Our Bold Edit colours, including Flamingo pink, Miami blue, Peapod green and Raincoat yellow are good examples of how the stove itself can introduce colour without having to redecorate the entire room,” says the company’s director, Jon Butterworth.
Similarly, tiled hearths are having a resurgence to add both depth and visual interest, including handmade zellige tiles, encaustic patterns and even sculpted 3D ceramics. “The return of the protruding mantelpiece, reimaged with experimental finishes like opalescent stone or patinated zinc, is also a notable trend for 2026,” says Joe. “These aren’t just decorative additions; they’re considered design decisions that help fireplaces feel like part of the fabric of the room.”
Smart stoves
In terms of the heat source itself, an extended viewing area is a mainstay design preference, created to truly showcase a roaring fire as a core element of the room. “Recent stove design has focused on getting more useful heat from the fuel while improving the view of the fire,” observes Jon. “Features such as preheated airwash systems help keep the glass clearer, while primary, secondary and tertiary combustion systems help the fuel burn more effectively.”
For Phil Wood, the UK managing director at Swedish wood-burning stove brand Contura, versatility and smart tech are the buzzwords of the day. “Modular stove systems that offer customisable design options, allowing stove owners to create a fireplace to suit their exact needs and space, while simultaneously creating a bespoke look, are proving popular. Similarly, models that pair style with innovative smart technology are revolutionising the wood-burning stove experience and are raising the sustainability benchmark for the industry.”
Through features like mobile app controls, eco modes and sealed systems, fireplace tech can provide stats and data, thereby empowering stove owners to optimise efficiency and performance.
Burn bright
On the subject of sustainability, impending rule changes could impact your choice of heat source. “Cambridge has increased its Defra zone, which will help clean up the air. As a result, people are replacing inefficient open fires with more eco-friendly stoves,” says Cambridge Stove Installations founder Jamie Osbourne-Briggs.
While there are currently no new government regulations on the use of wood-burning stoves, it is possible that they are on the horizon. “The government is consulting on tightening smoke emission limits for new wood-burning stoves, with a proposed limit of 1g/h compared to the current 5g/h,” Joe elaborates. “This would be a significant change, though it would not affect existing stoves installed in homes. A grace period of three to five years is being proposed to allow manufacturers to adapt.”
Meanwhile, for optimum efficiency and ultra-low emissions, Cardiff-based Island Pellet Stoves offers another option. Its cleverly engineered stoves burn pellets made from sawdust and waste wood from the timber industry, which produce very little smoke or ash, while the temperature can be controlled by a remote.
Light your fire
To choose something that feels integral to your home, rather than an afterthought, begin by asking what you actually need from your stove or fireplace. “If heat output is of primary concern, gas or wood-burning are still the most effective options,” says Joe. “If you’re after atmosphere and flexibility, electric or bioethanol models are worth considering, as they offer realistic flame effects without the need for a chimney or flue, making them ideal for modern homes or period properties where installation can be challenging.”
After considering the level of heat required, the kind of fuel available to you and how much maintenance and storage you are comfortable with, it’s time to consult the pros. Make sure to choose a Hetas-approved retailer and installer who can survey your home and advise on products, heat output and installation requirements – and take it from there.
Before you know it, you will be getting those home fires burning well in time for Christmas.