Custom Fireplaces: The Ultimate in Cozy Comfort

There’s nothing quite like the cozy comfort of a crackling fire. Whether having cocktails and conversations with loved ones or snuggling solo with a good book, fireplaces are the ultimate cold-weather amenity.

In the Cincinnati area, fireplaces are more than a nice-to-have feature—they’re an expectation for many homeowners and a key selling point for buyers. A well-designed custom fireplace can elevate the overall ambiance of a home, turning an ordinary room into a personal haven. From traditional wood-burning fireplaces to sleek gas or electric versions, there’s a style for every taste and every home.

What is a Custom Fireplace?

A custom fireplace is designed and built to reflect your unique preferences and needs, making it a one-of-a-kind addition to any room. Unlike prefabricated models, custom fireplaces are tailored to fit the space perfectly and blend seamlessly with the home's architecture and décor, including completely personal touches like bespoke tiles or a repurposed mantle.

Parts of a Fireplace: A Glossary of the Basics

Before making design choices, it’s important to understand the basic parts of a fireplace. Knowing these elements helps homeowners make informed decisions about their materials, placement, and more, and ensures the fireplace fits their style and functional needs.

• Fireplace Hearth: The fireplace floor often extends into the room. Traditionally, hearths are made of fireproof materials like brick, stone, or tile, providing a protective barrier and a space to store wood or decorative elements.
• Fireplace Mantel: Sitting above the firebox, the mantel frames the fireplace and offers a ledge for décor, photographs, or holiday stockings. Custom mantels, including ever-popular floating mantels, can range from simple and sleek to elaborate and traditional.
• Surround: This is the area around the firebox, which can be made from a variety of materials, such as stone, brick, or tile. It plays a key role in defining the overall look of the fireplace.
• Firebox: The firebox is where the actual fire burns. Gas and electric fireplaces may have a different structure from wood-burning types, and custom designs can accommodate unique layouts.
• Chimney: In wood-burning fireplaces, the chimney allows smoke to escape. While many modern designs use ventless gas or electric systems, traditional chimneys still add an element of charm to many homes.

Design Considerations for Custom Fireplaces

A well-designed fireplace should complement the room’s style, provide warmth, and enhance the ambiance. Below are some key considerations when planning your custom fireplace.

Room Size and Scale

The size of the fireplace should match the proportions of the room. A large, dramatic fireplace can dominate a smaller space, making it feel cramped, while a small, understated fireplace might get lost in a large living area. Custom fireplaces allow homeowners to tailor the design to fit the room perfectly.

Fireplace Location/Placement

The fireplace's location affects the room’s layout and overall flow. Placing a fireplace in the center of a wall makes it a focal point, while corner fireplaces create a more intimate, cozy feel. Consider how the placement will impact furniture arrangement and sightlines in the room.

Functional Requirements (Wood vs. Gas)

Think about how you’ll use the fireplace. A custom gas or electric fireplace may be ideal if ease of use and low maintenance are priorities. For those who enjoy the ambiance and tradition of a wood-burning fireplace, ensure the design includes easy access for wood storage.

In most of our projects, homeowners replace old wood-burning fireplaces with gas fireplaces for convenience and efficiency. Whether it’s gas logs or a gas insert, these options provide the cozy feel of a fire without the hassle of wood storage or ash cleanup.

Built-ins and Storage Options

Built-ins are a popular choice for adding visual interest and practical storage to the fireplace area. Often designed with base cabinets for hidden storage and shelves above for displaying decorative items, these built-ins frame the fireplace beautifully while maximizing the use of space. Whether you prefer a sleek, modern look or a more traditional design, built-ins can be customized to fit your room’s aesthetic and storage needs.

Outdoor Fireplaces: Extending Your Living Space

A custom outdoor fireplace can turn a backyard into a luxurious, year-round retreat. More than just a feature for cool-weather months, outdoor fireplaces create a welcoming environment that extends the usable living space of your home.  Pair these fireplaces with comfortable seating and strategically placed lighting to create an inviting space perfect for gatherings.

Popular Fireplace Materials

Choosing the right materials for your custom fireplace is critical to creating a fireplace design that thrills you far into the future. Each material brings its unique characteristics, helping to shape the mood and style of the room. Below are some of the most popular materials and their defining qualities:

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Stone Fireplace Options

Stacked Stone

This is a favorite for creating a rustic or natural look. The irregularity of stacked stone gives it a rugged, organic feel, perfect for a cozy, cabin-like atmosphere. Stacked stone often reaches to the ceiling for a dramatic, eye-catching effect.

Fieldstone

A rough, uncut stone commonly used in farmhouse or rustic designs. Its natural appearance makes it ideal for homeowners seeking a more traditional, earthy vibe.

Smooth Stone (Marble or Granite)

Marble and granite provide a sleek, polished look for those aiming for elegance. These materials are especially suited for modern or traditional fireplace styles, offering a luxurious, high-end, durable, timeless finish.

Limestone

Limestone is another natural stone that offers a softer, more subtle appearance. It’s often chosen for its light, neutral tones, which work well in modern or transitional designs.

Painted Brick

Another popular option is painted brick, which offers a clean, refreshed appearance while maintaining the texture of the original material. Bricks allow endless customization options, making matching the surround with the rest of the room’s design easy.

Best Tiles for Fireplaces

Ceramic or Porcelain Tiles

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are versatile, durable, and available in endless colors, patterns, and finishes. Homeowners can choose tiles that either blend in or make a bold statement. They’re ideal for modern designs or adding a pop in transitional settings.

Subway Tiles

Known for their clean, simple lines, subway tiles are a staple in modern and contemporary designs. Their sleek appearance brings a minimalist charm to the fireplace surround, creating a refined backdrop without overwhelming the room. Of course, subway tiles can be made of many of the materials on this list.

Mosaic Tiles

If you want to make a dramatic statement, mosaic tiles offer enticing possibilities. They come in a variety of patterns, colors, and textures, allowing for highly customized, artistic designs. Mosaics can add a touch of glamour or an unexpected splash of color to any fireplace.

Glass Tiles

Glass tiles are a modern choice. They reflect light and add a glossy, luxurious finish to the fireplace surround. These tiles are perfect for smaller spaces, as they can make the room feel larger and brighter.

Wood Fireplace Mantels

Reclaimed Wood for a Mantle

This is a popular choice for those looking to add warmth and character to their fireplace. Reclaimed wood offers a rustic, historical feel and pairs well with farmhouse and rustic designs.

Stained Hardwood Mantles

Stained hardwood mantels are a classic choice for a more refined, traditional look. They offer rich color and a polished appearance, making them perfect for traditional or transitional designs. Custom wood mantels can be intricately carved or left simple, depending on the desired effect.

Floating Mantels

Floating mantels are a sleek, minimal option great for modern or transitional designs. With no visible supports, they create a streamlined, contemporary look that keeps the focus on the fireplace itself.

Metal Mantle and Fireplace Accents

Steel and Iron

These metals are often used in modern and industrial fireplace designs. Steel or iron surrounds can give the fireplace a bold, edgy look, perfect for creating a statement piece in a minimalist room. These materials are also durable and heat-resistant, adding a functional advantage.

Copper

Copper accents are a great choice for a warm, inviting feel. Over time, copper develops a natural patina, adding depth and character. They pair well with rustic or transitional designs, offering a unique, artisanal touch.

Brass

Brass accents are a great way to add a hint of vintage glamour. Often used in custom fireplace doors or screens, brass can elevate the overall design with elegance.

Popular Fireplace Styles

From modern to rustic, the style you choose plays a significant role in defining the mood and personality of your feature fireplace. Here are some of our favorite styles, many of which are featured in our gallery below.

• Modern: Clean lines, minimalism, and sleek finishes like glass or metal.
• Rustic: Natural, rugged materials such as stone and reclaimed wood for a cozy, earthy vibe.
• Traditional: Classic designs with brick or stone surrounds and ornate mantels.
• Farmhouse: Warm, inviting styles featuring light colors, shiplap, and reclaimed wood.
• Transitional: A blend of modern and traditional elements with flexible designs that suit various décor themes.

Cincinnati Custom Fireplace Gallery

Here are a few ways Legacy Builders Group created beautiful, comfortable fireplaces Santa can’t wait to slide through.

The Gathering Spot

This fireplace anchors the entire room, acting as a centerpiece that pulls together the elegant main seating area and perfectly positioned table and chairs. Installing bookshelves on one side and a space for the television on the other creates more visual interest than if the sides matched with perfect symmetry.

The Reading Room

Pocket doors provide space-saving privacy in this fireplace nook addition, located in the same home as the one pictured above. While this room is just off the main living area, it feels separate and serene. The rough-cut stone creates a casual, nature-inspired feel, while the wood mantle lends an extra touch of warmth to the space. This is truly a room for all moments—the perfect place to sip the morning’s first cup of coffee or settle in after a long day.

Dark Blue Drama

Blue has been appearing in unexpected places lately, like in this stately fireplace surround. The combination of gray, white, and blue is particularly striking and in high demand for living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Here, bringing the color and woodwork to the ceiling helps the large TV blend into the background rather than being the room’s centerpiece.

The Great Outdoors

Had your fill of winter’s chill? Start planning your summer with an outdoor oasis like the one shown here. Outdoor fireplaces luxuriously extend the backyard season by offering welcome warmth as the nights get cooler. When paired with comfortable seating and a well-lit ceiling, fireplaces like these encourage conversation and connection with a resort-like feel.

Fun & Functional

Wood-burning fireplaces are lovely, thanks to their comforting crackle, nostalgic aroma, and variable heat from a renewable resource. However, many homeowners wonder how to store logs so that they are out of the way and easily accessible. This practical and cool fire log storage nook gives the whole great room a fun vintage vibe. The stonework on the peaked ceiling elevates the entire room, drawing the eye up and making it feel open, airy, and welcoming.

Custom Fireplaces Add the Perfect Touch in Your Cincinnati Remodel

Legacy Builders Group is here to help you create a new space with a fireplace that fits perfectly with your vision and home. Ready to start planning? Contact Legacy Builders Group today to begin the conversation that ends in your dream home or remodel.