Designing your dream fireplace

A fireplace often becomes the focal point of a home — a statement feature that grounds the room while bringing warmth, elegance, and architectural style. Unlike paint colours or furniture that may be updated over time, a fireplace is a long-term investment, which makes choosing the right design from the start essential.

At Stoneworld, we work with you to create a fireplace that looks like it was always meant to be in your home. That process begins with accurate measurement and templating, selecting natural stone or other materials that complement your lifestyle, and ensuring the proportions suit the scale of your room.

Functionality and safety are just as important as appearance. Correct hearth sizing, flue positioning, and clearances guarantee compliance with building regulations. Finishing touches such as mantel depth, edge profiles, and hearth thickness add refinement, while proper sealing and ongoing maintenance preserve the stone’s beauty for years.

From the initial design to installation support and aftercare guidance long into the future, our goal is simple: a fireplace that enhances your home, is practical day to day, and is crafted to endure for generations.

Key idea

A fireplace is more than decoration — it is structure, proportion, and detail. Planned well, it becomes a permanent feature that feels naturally part of your home.

Step 1 – Templating

The foundation of a successful fireplace project is accuracy. Without exact measurements, even the finest stonework risks looking out of place.

We can work in two ways:

Customer-supplied measurements – for straightforward rooms with flat walls, you can provide detailed dimensions directly. We’ll guide you on what’s needed to ensure accuracy.

On-site templating service – for more complex settings, our specialists visit to capture precise details. This is especially valuable where walls are uneven, corners are out of square, or you’re integrating the fire with existing alcoves, skirting, or panelling.

On-site templating doesn’t just record measurements — it also allows us to anticipate installation challenges. Small discrepancies, like a wall that leans slightly or a floor that isn’t level, can be built into the stone cutting plan so the final surround fits seamlessly.

Why it matters Precise templating is the difference between a surround that looks fitted and one that looks forced. It prevents gaps, misalignments, and costly rework.

Step 2 – Choosing the right fireplace material

The stone you choose sets the mood of the room and influences how your fireplace performs over time.

Limestone – soft, natural, and understated. Works beautifully in cottages, farmhouses, and light, neutral interiors.

Sandstone – textured and warm, adding rustic depth and variation. Ideal for character homes.

Marble – elegant and refined, often patterned with veining that makes it the star of the room. Best in formal living areas.

Granite – robust and polished, perfect for contemporary interiors or homes where durability is critical.

Engineered stone – consistent in tone and available in colours nature can’t provide. Reliable for precise, uniform finishes.

Choosing stone isn’t only about looks — it also affects care. For example, limestone and sandstone are porous and benefit from sealing, while marble is more resistant but can show soot patterns. Viewing full samples in natural light (rather than small swatches) is the best way to judge how a material will truly appear in your space.

See it in person at our Oxfordshire site or get samples delivered to make your decision easier.

Step 3 – Design options

Once the stone or material is selected, it’s the design details that shape the personality of your fireplace. Every choice contributes to the final impression:

Hearth design – large, single-slab hearths give a sleek, contemporary foundation. Multi-piece hearths provide versatility for expansive layouts or patterned designs.

Surround proportions – taller surrounds highlight a sense of grandeur and formality, while wider, lower surrounds create a relaxed, modern feel for contemporary living spaces.

Edge profiles – whether subtle pencil rounds or bold ogee curves, edge finishes have a striking impact on the overall style.

Mantels and shelves – offer a practical ledge for displaying artwork, mirrors, or seasonal accents.

Carving and moulding – from refined chamfers to elaborate, hand-carved details, our expert stonemasons craft bespoke surrounds that complement your home’s architecture.

We create scaled drawings to help you visualise your choices, ensuring that when the stone is cut, it matches your expectations precisely.

This hearth was created from one sheet of stone, in a classic T-shape

Prefer a hearth without joints? Let’s talk design. Some stones can be supplied in one continuous slab for a cleaner look.

Brand‑New or Showroom Inspiration

Designing a fireplace is easier when you can see and experience different options in real life. Photographs provide inspiration, but standing in front of a finished fireplace allows you to judge scale, texture, and the way light interacts with the stone. This stage is all about refining ideas and making choices that feel right for your space.

Showroom displays – our Oxfordshire showroom features a wide range of installed fireplaces. Here, you can explore materials side by side and see how finishes look under natural light, which is often very different to studio photography.
Portfolio examples – we can share case studies and images from past projects. These show how other homeowners, architects, and designers have applied limestone, marble, sandstone, or granite in both modern and traditional interiors, helping you visualise the possibilities.
On-site discussions – bring along your room plans, sketches, or photographs. Our team can then suggest fireplace styles that align with your proportions, architectural details, and lifestyle needs, so the design feels tailored rather than generic.
Custom mock-ups – for clients who want extra certainty, we can prepare scaled sketches or digital previews. These mock-ups combine your chosen stone with design features such as hearth thickness, surround shape, or mantel height, giving you a clear impression before the stone is cut.

This stage is about confidence as much as creativity. By viewing real fireplaces, discussing practical details, and testing ideas visually, you can strike the right balance between inspiration and functionality. It means that when the final stone is installed, it feels both exciting and exactly as you imagined.

Design your fireplace your way. Our on-site workshop can shape, carve, and create surrounds to match your vision—down to every edge and thickness.

Step 5 – Maintenance and Aftercare Support

A fireplace should continue looking as good as the day it was installed. Stone is naturally durable, but it benefits from the right care and regular attention. By protecting surfaces, cleaning correctly, and arranging professional servicing where required, your fireplace will remain a centrepiece that feels as fresh in twenty years as it does on day one.

Stone sealing – particularly important for limestone and sandstone, as they are more porous. Using a high-quality sealer such as Rob Parker’s Best Invisible Sealer creates an invisible barrier that helps resist stains, soot, and everyday spills.
Cleaning – avoid acidic or harsh chemical cleaners, which can etch or discolour stone. Instead, choose pH-neutral cleaning solutions like Rob Parker’s Best Patio Cleaner, which are gentle on stone while still lifting dirt and residue effectively.
Routine maintenance – wipe hearths regularly with a soft cloth, vacuum around joints to keep dust away, and polish where appropriate to preserve a consistent finish.
Servicing – gas fires and wood burners require annual professional servicing to remain safe and efficient. This also helps maintain the integrity of stonework exposed to high temperatures.
Support – our team is available for touch-ups, minor repairs, or advice years after installation. If damage ever occurs, we can supply restoration products or arrange professional help to bring your stone back to life.

With thoughtful care, supported by reliable products such as those from Rob Parker’s Best, your fireplace will remain a defining feature of your home — not just for today but for decades to come. Maintenance is an investment that protects both the appearance and the performance of your stone.

Rob Parker’s Best Patio Sealer

From £38.00/Each

Rob Parker’s Best Colour Enhancing Sealer

From £38.00/Each

Rob Parker’s Best Twin Pack Quartz & Granite Sealer and Quartz & Granite Cleaner

From £27.54/Each

Final Thoughts

If you would like to talk to us about creating your perfect fireplace or hearth, you can call us on 01844 279274 or email us at sales@stoneworld.co.uk. For advice on how to clean and care for your stone, visit www.robparkersbest.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill in our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you shortly to discuss your project.

Planning overview

First, choose the heat source. Next, confirm clearances and services. Then, measure the opening and wall. Finally, schedule installation so every step follows a sensible order.

Templating

We visit, we measure, and we template accurately. Meanwhile, you review finishes and approve details. After that, we lock dimensions and prepare precise drawings, so the surround fits the first time.

Material choice

Choose stone with your room’s light in mind. For example, lighter limestone softens a space; however, polished granite suits a sharper look. In addition, sealing plans and simple care routines keep the finish consistent over time.

Design options

Decide on hearth format, edge profiles, and mantel height. Moreover, align the surround with furniture lines; consequently, the fireplace feels integrated. Because accuracy matters, we confirm sizes before cutting.

Hearth and safety

We size the hearth to current rules; therefore, clearances, projections, and thickness stay compliant. Also, we plan cable routes early; as a result, the face remains tidy and uncluttered.

Installation

Our team coordinates deliveries, protects floors, and sets levels carefully. Then we check joints, seal as agreed, and finish edges neatly. Afterwards, you receive clear guidance for use on day one.

Aftercare

Use pH-neutral cleaners; additionally, book routine servicing where required. Because prevention works best, quick wipe-downs reduce marks, and regular checks keep the stone looking fresh.

Quick checklist

First decide the fire; next confirm measurements; then approve drawings; afterwards schedule install; finally review care steps. Consequently, the project runs smoothly from start to finish.