If you want to create a cozy vibe in your living room, then a fireplace is a good place to start. This doesn’t mean having to install a real fireplace into the room, that would be way too pricy and take too long.
Instead, we’re going to talk about electric fireplaces.
If you are low on space in the room but still want a fireplace, a great option for you is getting an entertainment center that either has afore place built-in or adding one to the unit yourself.
As entertainment centers (whether they come with a fireplace or not) come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, you are sure to find one that matches your interior design best.
You may have an electric fireplace insert that is plugged in or built-in fitted into an entertainment center that you’ve designed yourself, or you can purchase an entertainment center that already has an electric fireplace built in.
If this seems like a good option for you, then keep reading to find out all that you need to know about electric fireplaces in entertainment centers.
Electric Fireplaces In Entertainment Centres
Since the 1970s, fireplaces have been one of the most sought-after features for residential homes.
While fires used to be necessary for every home as a vital source of heat in the winter, these days they are used more as an aesthetic feature in homes.
However, electric fireplaces may give many of the same benefits as wood-burning fireplaces while requiring far less upkeep.
Electric fireplace inserts are designed to fit into a preexisting opening inside your home.
These inserts not only serve as a heater to warm up chilly places but also give a cozier feeling to evening gatherings thanks to their realistic flame effects.
Electric fireplaces may be found in a variety of home improvement and office supply stores.
However, if you are looking for an entertainment center that is more one-of-a-kind and has a fireplace already built in, you might consider doing your shopping online.
Entertainment centers with electric fireplaces come in a huge range of sizes and designs so you can find one that will fit into the room perfectly.
One of the more popular options is corner units.
These not only have a spot for you to sit back and watch your favorite program or movie, but also give an additional work surface or storage area while also incusing a fireplace.
Other units have been designed with storage in mind and have a lot of drawers and cupboards.
Prices range from $400 to $900, depending on the size of the built-in TV and electric fireplace models. The material used will also impact the cost, as some entertainment centers are made from real wood.
Two Types Of Electric Fireplaces With Entertainment Centres
If you are getting an electric fireplace and entertainment unit, then you can either get a bespoke unit made or buy one with a pre-installed fireplace in it. Here are the differences between the two.
Bespoke Units
Having a custom-made electric fireplace entertainment center comes with many benefits, with the best one benign that they are completely customizable. You can get these units in whatever size, color, and design that you want.
Second, the style is often more varied than that of commercially available electric fireplaces, which allows you to find something that is an exact fit for the interior decor of your home.
The last big advantage of this kind of fireplace is that they come with all of the modern For example, you could use an app smartphone, or tablet to adjust the settings of the fireplace without having to get up.
These fireplaces are available in a wide variety of finishes, such as black and silver, making it simple to complement a wide range of interior design aesthetics, from traditional Victorian to contemporary industrial.
While some people might be concerned about their restricted heating capabilities in comparison to traditional fireplaces, keep in mind that they are all extra-wide for optimal heat dispersion, and most models feature temperature and setting adjustments that can be made.
Once you get one of these units installed, you will never have to use the heating in your home again!
Entertainment Centers Equipped With Pre-Installed Electric Fireplaces
If you don’t want to go through both the long and expensive process of designing your own bespoke fireplace and entertainment center, then you could just buy a pre-made unit.
They are available in a wide variety of sizes, forms, and colors, meaning that you won’t be short of choice even if you’re not following your own design.
Buying pre-made entertainment centers with a fireplace built-in already means that you are free to position them in any room in your house.
Electric fireplaces come in a wide variety of designs, styles, and types, with glass front units being among the most popular due to their realistic look.
If you want something that appears to be more natural, you can choose electric fireplaces with old-fashioned wood cabinets that have built-in shelving to make them look like real brick fireplaces.
The ideal size for the unit will depend on where you want to put the entertainment center in your home. Pre-installed versions may also be purchased as free-standing floor models if this fits into your space better.
Electric heaters are simple to set up, but it is a good idea to have a professional handle them in case there are any complications further down the road. When electric heaters are set up by a trained expert, you will face fewer problems in the future (see also ‘Electric Fireplace Common Problems‘).
Pre-installed units are preferred by some customers since their already-existing entertainment centers do not have enough room for the additional components.
Electric fireplaces may be installed in any space imaginable and have a straightforward setup procedure, provided that the work is outsourced to a professional.
Can I Add A Fireplace To My Pre-Existing Enteriamnet Center?
If you already have an entertainment center, you could potentially add an electric fireplace to it, though you will have to make sure that it’s big enough.
If there is no space for an entertainment center, you could look into having the cabinet refaced by a professional so that it will fit the electric fireplace unit inside it. I
However, in general, anything that is 36 inches wide and 70 inches high would work well as long as the depth matches up properly (needs to be around 28 inches).
This is because the type of pre-installed electric fireplaces that come with cabinets large enough for them should be determined by the size of your already existing entertainment center.
These days, you can get electric fireplaces that look like genuine fireplaces and are designed to fit into traditional wood cabinets.
If you want to decorate your entertainment center in such a way that it blends better with its surroundings, then go for one that has the look and feel of an actual stone or brick fireplace.
If you’d rather not have something so realistic looking but still want the warmth that is only available from an electric fireplace unit, then there are plenty of glass front ones available.
If you want to fit an electric fireplace into your pre-existing entertainment center, then you need to make sure that you take accurate measurements of everything.
This will make sure that the electric fireplace can be concealed inside the entertainment center while its doors are shut.
Most pre-installed units come in either 36″ widths or 70″ heights with 28″ depths (the standard depth for most sets), but if there is no room for one then look into having the cabinet refaced by a professional who can make space within the walls themselves at least 30 inches deep to accommodate it.
Summary
Adding a fireplace to your home is the best way to create a cozy and warm atmosphere, especially during the colder months when we just want to snuggle up.
If you want to save some space in your living room, then combining an entertainment center with an electric fireplace is an excellent idea.
You are free to put the entertainment center/electric fireplace combo unit wherever you want in your home, so long as it is nearby to a power outlet and has access to the gas line.
If you have a basic understanding of electrical jobs and DIY, you may be able to install a fireplace into the entertainment unit yourself.
It may seem pretty overwhelming, but following some basic instructions such as a video found online will make the whole process easier.
If you’re not that confident in your skills though, you should spend a bit more money and hire a professional, especially if you are not that skilled with working with gas and electricity.
Getting someone in to do the job will mean that there is far less that could go wrong in the future, meaning that you get to enjoy your electric fireplace and entertainment unit for years to come.
Hi, I am Stevie Morris. As a qualified electrician, I have installed countless electric fires and worked on projects with all types of fireplaces, including wood burning, bioethanol, and gas installations.
By working hands-on with different brands, you quickly become an expert on the best fireplaces and those you should avoid.
My family also owns the largest online retailer of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces in the UK. Although not part of the family business, I regularly help when needed.
I hope you can benefit from my experience and impartiality, which I have gained from installing fireplaces and seeing the family's fire pit business grow.
