The Benefits of Electric Fireplaces & Why They’re So Easy to Install
Rinnai EL Holographic Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces have become one of the fastest-growing categories in fireplace design — and for good reason.
For many homeowners, they offer the perfect balance of atmosphere, simplicity, and modern design flexibility without the complexity often associated with traditional wood or gas fires.
At Designs for Fires, we are increasingly working with clients who want a fireplace that enhances their home visually while remaining straightforward to install and easy to live with day to day. Electric fireplaces are often the ideal solution.
Easy Installation With Greater Design Freedom
Escea LE Series Holographic Fireplace
One of the biggest advantages of an electric fireplace is the ease of installation.
Unlike wood or gas fireplaces, electric fires generally do not require:
A chimney
Flue system
Gas connection
Extensive ventilation
Large non-combustible clearances
This creates far greater flexibility in where a fireplace can be positioned within a home.
Gazco eMotiv 3-sided Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces can often be installed into:
Existing fireplace cavities
Media walls
Bedrooms
Apartments
Upper-level rooms
Coastal homes
Smaller living spaces
New architectural feature walls
In many cases, installation simply requires framing and a power supply, making the process considerably less invasive and more cost-effective than traditional fireplace installations.
For renovations especially, this can dramatically reduce both building work and installation costs.
Versatility Across Different Home Styles
Escea Freestanding LFS800 Holographic Electric Fireplace
One of the strengths of electric fireplaces is their versatility. They can work beautifully across a wide range of interior styles — from traditional homes through to contemporary architectural spaces.
In older homes, electric fireplaces can replace outdated gas fires or open fireplaces, helping modernise the room while still respecting the character of the home.
In newer homes and apartments, they offer a clean and minimal solution that integrates easily into modern living spaces.
Depending on the style of fireplace selected, electric fires can complement:
Traditional interiors
Coastal and relaxed spaces
Contemporary homes
Architectural new builds
Apartments and townhouses
Heritage renovations
Minimalist interiors
Whether incorporated into a classic surround, a plastered feature wall, timber joinery, or a sleek media wall, electric fireplaces provide enormous design flexibility.
A Wide Range of Sizes, Flame Effects & Styles
Onyx Avanti Electric Fireplace
The electric fireplace market in New Zealand has expanded significantly in recent years, with an impressive range of products now available to suit different homes and budgets.
Electric fireplaces are available in:
Landscape formats
Portrait designs
Three-sided models
Corner fireplaces
Slimline installations
Traditional styled fires
Contemporary architectural designs
There are also significant differences in flame appearance and technology between brands and models.
Some fires offer:
Highly realistic flame movement
Glowing ember beds
Adjustable flame colours
Mood lighting effects
Driftwood or log fuel beds
Crystalline or contemporary media
Flame-only operation without heat
This variety allows homeowners to select a fireplace that best suits both the architecture of the home and the atmosphere they want to create.
At Designs for Fires, part of our role is helping clients navigate these options and select the right fireplace for the space — balancing aesthetics, proportions, installation requirements, and budget.
Transforming Existing Fireplaces
Gazco eMotiv Electric Fireplace
Many older homes have fireplaces that no longer suit modern living or current compliance requirements.
At Designs for Fires, we regularly work with homeowners wanting to modernise dated brick or block fireplaces while still creating warmth and atmosphere within the room.
Electric fires provide an excellent opportunity to completely reimagine these spaces. Existing fireplaces can often be transformed with:
Plaster or rendered finishes
Stone surrounds
Timber shelving and joinery
Floating hearths
Contemporary feature walls
Integrated TV and fireplace designs
Because electric fires generate less heat than wood or gas fireplaces, there is often more flexibility with materials and detailing, allowing for softer and more refined interior solutions.
A Clean, Low-Maintenance Option
One of the reasons homeowners love electric fireplaces is how easy they are to use.
There is:
No ash
No wood storage
No chimney cleaning
No smoke
No gas servicing
No complicated operation
Most modern electric fireplaces operate from a remote control or app, allowing you to adjust flame effects, lighting, and heating instantly.
Many models can also operate the flame effect independently from the heater, creating ambience year-round — even in summer.
Ideal for Modern Living
Rinnai EL Holographic Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces work particularly well in homes where:
Flueing is difficult
Simplicity is important
Minimal disruption is preferred
Heating is supplementary rather than primary
The fireplace is as much about design as warmth
With improvements in flame technology and design aesthetics, today’s electric fireplaces can create a beautiful focal point within a space while remaining practical and easy to integrate.
The Importance of Good Fireplace Design
While electric fireplaces are easier to install, thoughtful design still makes a significant difference to the final outcome.
At Designs for Fires, we specialise in helping homeowners create fireplaces that feel considered, balanced, and integrated within the architecture of the home — not simply added as an appliance.
Our approach combines:
Fireplace design expertise
Interior integration
Technical knowledge
Product selection guidance
Detailed design concepts
Collaboration with builders and installers
With over 20 years of industry experience across wood, gas, and electric fireplaces, we help clients navigate the many options available and create solutions that suit both the home and the way people live.
Considering an Electric Fireplace?
Whether you are renovating an existing fireplace, replacing an outdated gas fire, building a new home, or designing an apartment space, electric fireplaces offer an incredibly versatile and design-led solution.
At Designs for Fires, we work with homeowners, builders, architects, and designers throughout New Zealand to create fireplaces that bring warmth, atmosphere, and simplicity together beautifully.