Isometric 3D render of a stone hearth fireplace in warm neutral tones with soft natural lighting and a calm architectural mood.

Fireplaces

Stone For Fireplace Hearth — Design Ideas & Riverstone Galleries

A look at stone fireplace hearth designs and riverstone options for warming up living spaces with natural texture and architectural weight.

Linear Fireplace Design Ideas For Long Living Rooms

A long living room can feel elegant and spacious, yet its proportions often create a decorating problem. Furniture may drift towards one end, the television can dominate a wall, and the far side of the room may feel disconnected from the main seating area. A linear fireplace gives the room a strong horizontal feature that can visually unite the space while adding warmth, texture and a clear architectural focus.

The best result comes from treating the fireplace as part of the room’s overall structure rather than attaching a firebox to an empty wall. Scale, viewing angles, fuel type, storage, lighting and safety clearances all influence the design. In an Australian home, the choice may also depend on local climate, apartment rules, gas installation requirements and whether the fireplace will supplement or compete with reverse-cycle air conditioning.

Set The Fireplace Against Long Room Proportions

A wide fireplace suits a long room because it echoes the room’s horizontal lines. Instead of using a compact square model that can look lost on a broad wall, consider a firebox with a low, elongated profile. The exact width should relate to the wall, ceiling height and furniture arrangement. A very wide fireplace beneath a low ceiling may make the room feel compressed, while a narrower model can leave enough wall space for shelving or artwork.

The viewing position is equally important. A fireplace positioned in the centre of the longest wall can become the room’s anchor, especially when the sofa faces it directly. In a large open-plan area, placing it slightly off-centre may help separate the lounge from the dining or kitchen zone. This approach creates a visual boundary without building a full wall and helps the living area feel intentional rather than stretched across the entire floor plan.

Measure the usable wall rather than the total wall length. Door openings, windows, air-conditioning vents and walkways can substantially reduce the available space. Keep a comfortable circulation path between the seating and nearby doors, particularly in busy family homes where the living room connects to an alfresco area or hallway.

A long fireplace also works well when paired with a low console or built-in joinery. The joinery should support the horizontal composition without becoming a second competing focal point. Handleless cabinets, slim shelving and a continuous benchtop can make the entire wall appear calm and integrated.

Choose A Fuel Type For Australian Living

Electric fireplaces are often the simplest choice for renovations, apartments and homes where structural work needs to remain limited. They generally require a suitable electrical connection rather than a flue, and many models can operate with or without heat. That flexibility is valuable in Brisbane or Perth, where the flame effect may be attractive during cooler evenings even when additional heating is unnecessary.

Gas fireplaces provide a convincing flame and can deliver useful warmth, but installation needs professional planning. A licensed gasfitter should assess the appliance, gas supply, flue route, ventilation and required clearances. Gas work in Australia must comply with relevant state or territory requirements and applicable standards, including AS/NZS 5601.1 for gas installations. Building approval or strata approval may also be needed, especially in apartments.

Wood-burning fireplaces bring natural flame movement and a strong architectural presence, although they require more planning than many homeowners expect. Flue placement, hearth construction, fuel storage, smoke emissions and neighbour impact all need consideration. Rules differ between councils and states. For example, wood heater certification and installation requirements are closely regulated in New South Wales and Victoria, while local restrictions can affect what may be installed in urban areas.

Before choosing a model, consider how the room is used every day. Many Australian households rely on reverse-cycle systems for whole-home heating and cooling, so the fireplace may be used primarily for atmosphere and occasional warmth. An electric unit can suit that pattern, while a gas or wood-burning option may be preferable when a stronger heat source and an authentic flame are central to the design.

Build A Balanced Media Wall

A fireplace and television can share one wall successfully when their proportions are planned together. Mounting the television above the fire is common, but it is not automatically the best arrangement. Heat exposure, viewing height and manufacturer clearances must be checked before installation. Some electric fireplaces allow more flexibility, while gas models may require a mantel, recess or non-combustible separation.

For a comfortable viewing experience, keep the television at a height that works for the main sofa rather than forcing it close to the ceiling. In a long room, a low fireplace beneath a modestly sized screen can look more balanced than an oversized television that overwhelms the wall. If the room is deep, a separate television wall or a side-mounted screen may create better ergonomics and leave the fireplace as the primary architectural feature.

Built-in joinery can conceal media equipment, soundbars, gaming consoles and cables. Ventilated cabinets are important for devices that produce heat, while removable panels make future repairs easier. A recessed shelf above or beside the fire can display ceramics, books or artwork, but avoid filling every available surface. Negative space gives the fireplace room to stand out.

Consider dividing the media wall into three visual layers: a lower cabinet, the fireplace zone and a restrained upper section. Vertical timber battens, stone slabs or painted plaster can define the central area, while side niches soften the long wall. This layout is particularly effective in open-plan homes, where the back of the joinery can also help screen the lounge from a kitchen or dining area.

Useful elements for a cohesive media wall include:

A low cabinet with closed storage for clutter
A heat-resistant panel or non-combustible surround
Concealed cable routes with service access
Adjustable shelving for artwork and equipment

Use Texture Colour And Lighting

Material selection determines whether the fireplace feels warm and domestic or sharp and contemporary. Large-format porcelain, natural stone, brick slips, microcement and rendered plaster each create a different mood. Pale limestone or travertine can brighten a darker Melbourne living room, while charcoal porcelain or honed granite may suit a modern Sydney or Adelaide interior.

Timber is a popular way to soften a linear fireplace, especially when used in cabinetry or vertical battens. It should never be placed within areas restricted by the fireplace manufacturer or Australian building requirements. A safe design can still include timber nearby, provided the surround, mantel and clearances are detailed by the installer.

Colour can visually adjust the room’s proportions. A dark fireplace wall may make a long room feel more grounded and draw attention towards the centre. A light wall with a contrasting black firebox creates a crisp, graphic effect. If the room receives strong western sun, as many Australian living rooms do, test samples throughout the day before committing to a warm white, stone or greige finish.

Lighting should be planned before the wall is closed. Recessed downlights can flatten textured surfaces, so combine them with concealed LED strips, wall washers or small directional fittings. Low-level lighting around the joinery can make the fireplace wall feel inviting at night without creating glare on the television. Dimmable circuits allow the room to shift from daytime entertaining to a relaxed evening setting.

A restrained palette usually gives the strongest result:

One dominant surface such as stone, plaster or brick
One supporting material for cabinetry or shelving
Two or three related paint colours
Warm, dimmable lighting rather than excessive downlights

Plan Comfort Safety And Maintenance

Fireplace design should support comfort across the entire long room, not merely create a striking photograph. Arrange seating so people can enjoy the flame without blocking walkways or sitting too close to the heat source. In a wide room, two sofas or a sofa with occasional chairs may work better than pushing every seat against the walls. A large rug can define the lounge zone and connect furniture to the fireplace.

Check the manufacturer’s installation manual before finalising any cabinetry, screen position or decorative finish. Clearances vary considerably between models, and an attractive design may become impractical if the required non-combustible zone is overlooked. Gas appliances, flues and electrical connections should be installed by appropriately licensed trades. The National Construction Code and local approval processes may also affect penetrations, ventilation and fire safety.

Maintenance should be designed into the room from the start. Provide access to filters, burners, controls and electrical components. Glass panels need cleaning according to the product instructions, while stone and grout may require sealing. For wood heaters, regular flue inspection and ash management are essential. Keep combustible decorations, furniture and soft furnishings outside the specified clearance zones.

Australian conditions add a few practical considerations. Coastal homes around Sydney, Brisbane and Perth may need finishes that tolerate salt-laden air and humidity. Dust from open windows and outdoor entertaining can settle quickly on dark joinery. In colder southern areas, a fireplace may be used alongside hydronic or reverse-cycle heating, so the room should retain comfortable airflow rather than becoming a sealed decorative alcove.

Before ordering, confirm these details with the supplier and installer:

Appliance dimensions, clearances and heat output
Flue, ventilation or electrical requirements
Wall structure and mounting support
Local council, strata and building approval needs

A linear fireplace can make a long living room feel connected, comfortable and considered when it is scaled to the architecture. Explore fireplace galleries and residential design ideas on NeilTortorella.com, then compare appliance specifications with your room measurements and speak with a licensed Australian installer before construction begins.