Fireplace Design

Independent design for every home.

Thoughtful fireplace design creates spaces that feel natural, balanced and made to be lived in.

Good design considers far more than the fireplace itself. We carefully balance proportion, materials, furniture layouts, heat distribution and technical requirements to create a fireplace that truly belongs within your home.


Most people choose a fireplace by visiting a showroom.

The most successful fireplaces, however begin with design.

The size, location, proportions, materials, heat output and installation all influence how the fireplace will look, perform and integrate with your home. By considering these elements together from the beginning, the result feels intentional rather than simply installed.

Why Fireplace Design Matters

What We Consider During the Design Process

Stuv 30 Compact against custom wood box
Stuv 30 Compact against custom wood box

Placement

Finding the best location to suit the architecture, furniture layout and heat distribution.

Stuv 30 dimensions
Stuv 30 dimensions

Proportion

Balancing fireplace size with room scale, ceiling height and surrounding features.

Materials

Selecting cladding, hearths, mantels and finishes that complement your home.

A black wood stove with a large glass door showing a burning fire inside, against a background of neatly stacked firewood. There is a dog with long fur and a collar sitting in front of the stove.
A black wood stove with a large glass door showing a burning fire inside, against a background of neatly stacked firewood. There is a dog with long fur and a collar sitting in front of the stove.

Performance

Ensuring the fireplace performs as beautifully as it looks through considered technical planning.

From Concept to Completion

Every fireplace project follows a considered design process. From the first conversation through to installation, each stage builds on the last to ensure your fireplace is beautiful, functional and technically correct.

Stage 1

Initial Consultation

Every project begins by understanding your home, your lifestyle and your vision. We discuss how you want to use the space, your heating requirements and the architectural style of your home before exploring the possibilities.

Stage 2

Design Concepts

We develop tailored fireplace concepts that explore placement, proportion, materials and overall design. This stage allows ideas to be refined before any technical decisions are made.

Stage 3

Product Selection

With the design established, we help select the fireplace that best suits your project. Every recommendation considers aesthetics, performance, efficiency and long-term value while remaining completely independent of any one manufacturer.

Stage 4

Technical Planning

Behind every successful fireplace is careful technical planning. We coordinate the details that ensure the design can be built safely, efficiently and in accordance with New Zealand requirements.

Stage 5

Installation Support

We work alongside architects, builders, installers and other trades throughout construction, helping to resolve questions and maintain the integrity of the original design.

Stage 6

Completed Design

The result is a fireplace that feels like it has always belonged within the home - beautifully integrated, technically sound and designed to be enjoyed for many years.

Let's Discuss Your Fireplace Project

Complimentary 20-Minute Phone Consultation

Independent advice before you make any major fireplace decisions.

No obligation • Independent advice • New Zealand-wide

Whether you're building a new home, renovating an existing fireplace or exploring your options, request a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to discuss your project and receive independent advice before selecting a fireplace.

During the consultation we'll:

Discuss your project and goals
Answer your initial questions
Explain how independent fireplace design can help
Outline the best next steps for your project

Stuv 16 freestanding fire
Stuv 16 freestanding fire

Why Work With an Independent Fireplace Designer

Independent Advice

Recommendations based on what’s best for your project - not one manufacturer.

Architectural Thinking

Creating fireplaces that belong within the architecture of the home.

Technical Expertise

Balancing design with installation, performance and compliance.

Product Knowledge

Access to leading New Zealand and International fireplace manufacturers.

Practical Experience

Over two decades of real-world fireplace design and technical problem solving.

Personal Service

Working directly with you, your architect, builder and installer throughout the project.

Have Fireplace Design Questions?

Find answers to the most common questions homeowners ask before choosing a fireplace or engaging an independent fireplace designer.

Every Home is Different

No two homes - or homeowners - are the same.

Whether you’re designing a fireplace for a new build, renovating an existing home or replacing an older fireplace, every project deserves a tailored solution. Our role is to guide you through the design process, helping you make confident decisions that balance aesthetics, performance and practicality.

Living room with large glass windows showing trees outside, white sofa with green pillows, round wooden coffee table, stone fireplace, and wooden ceiling.

How We Can Help

Design Services

Tailored support from concept to installation.

Product Selection

Helping you choose the right fireplace.

Technical Services

Expert advice when technical challenges arise.

Specialist Fireplace Sourcing

The right fireplace starts with the right advice.

Planning a new fireplace or renovating an existing one? Explore our free Design Library for independent advice, practical guidance and design inspiration.

Learn More

Fireplace Design NZ - How to Reimagine an Existing Fireplace

Discover how thoughtful fireplace design can transform an existing fireplace into a beautiful architectural feature.

Read Guide →

What You Can't See – Fireplace Guide

Understand the hidden construction of existing chimneys before renovating or selecting a new fireplace.

Read Guide →

Whether you’re building, renovating or replacing an existing fireplace, we’d love to help create a fireplace that’s thoughtfully designed and technically sound.

Ready to Start Your Fireplace Project?

Living room with a wood-burning fireplace, wooden floors, dark paneled walls, colorful pillows, a tall green plant, and a coffee table with a painted dish and a box, overlooking a blue evening sky through windows.