Designing your dream fireplace

A fireplace often serves as the heart of a home — a defining feature that brings warmth, style, and structure to any room. Unlike décor elements that change over time, a fireplace is a long-term investment, so getting the design and proportions right from the start is essential.

At Stoneworld, we work with you to design a fireplace that feels perfectly integrated into your space. Every project begins with accurate measurement and templating, followed by selecting the right natural stone or alternative material to match your interior and lifestyle. Careful attention to scale ensures the fireplace sits comfortably within the room.

Function and safety are just as important as appearance. Correct hearth sizing, flue positioning, and clearances ensure full compliance with building regulations, while thoughtful details — such as mantel depth, edge design, and hearth thickness — bring a refined finish. With appropriate sealing and ongoing care, your stone fireplace will continue to look exceptional for many years.

From concept to installation support and aftercare, our goal is simple: to create a fireplace that enhances your home, performs reliably every day, and remains a lasting feature for generations to come.

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 precise measurements, even the highest-quality stonework can feel out of place.

We provide two options:

Customer-supplied measurements – For straightforward rooms with flat, square walls, you can share detailed dimensions directly. We’ll guide you on the information needed to ensure everything is recorded correctly.

On-site templating service – For more complex layouts, our specialists will visit to capture exact details. This is especially valuable where walls are uneven, corners are out of line, or the fireplace must work around alcoves, skirting, or panelling.

On-site templating does more than just measure. It allows us to identify and plan for fitting challenges in advance. Subtle issues — like a floor that slopes or a wall that leans slightly — can then be built into the cutting plan, ensuring the finished fireplace surround fits neatly and enhances the room as intended.

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.

Selecting the right stone is about more than appearance — it also influences maintenance and longevity. For instance, limestone and sandstone are naturally porous and perform best when properly sealed, while marble is less absorbent but can develop subtle soot markings over time. Whenever possible, view large samples in natural light rather than relying on small swatches — it’s the most accurate way to understand how the stone’s colour and texture will look in your setting.

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 has been chosen, it’s the design elements that shape the overall character of your fireplace. Every detail influences the finished look:

Hearth design – single-slab hearths create a sleek, contemporary base, while multi-piece hearths offer flexibility for larger layouts or decorative patterns.

Surround proportions – taller surrounds emphasise grandeur and formality, whereas wider, lower surrounds bring a relaxed, modern look to contemporary living rooms.

Edge profiles – from subtle pencil rounds to deep ogee carvings, edge finishes dramatically affect the style.

Mantels and shelves – add a functional ledge for artwork, mirrors, or seasonal décor.

Carving and moulding – from simple chamfers to intricate hand-carved designs, our skilled stonemasons can produce bespoke surrounds tailored to 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

Fireplaces for Stoves, Gas Fires, and Open Fires

A thoughtfully designed fireplace doesn’t have to centre around an open fire. It can be created to suit a wood-burning stove or a gas fire, provided the layout, flue configuration, and clearances are planned from the start. This approach ensures the fireplace remains visually balanced, operates safely, and feels in proportion with the room.

Each fuel option offers its own distinct appeal. A wood-burning stove delivers a timeless aesthetic and powerful, radiant heat. A gas fire combines convenience with efficiency, offering instant warmth at the touch of a button. Meanwhile, an open fire continues to evoke a traditional charm, celebrated for its natural glow and the crackle of real logs.

With careful planning of the hearth, surround, and overall dimensions, your fireplace can be perfectly tailored to the fire type you choose — creating a statement feature that reflects both your home’s character and your way of living.

Fire Type	Key Benefit
Wood-burning stove	High heat output with a traditional feel
Gas fire	Instant heat and simple control
Open fire	Classic ambience with authentic flame

Can I Install a Fireplace Without Having an Existing Chimney?

Yes — a fireplace can be installed even if your home doesn’t already have a chimney. Modern systems allow for flexibility, using twin-wall flue pipes or specialist flue arrangements that vent safely through an external wall or roof. This means you can still enjoy the look and warmth of a fireplace without traditional chimney infrastructure.

The type of fire you choose will affect the requirements. Wood-burning stoves and some gas fires need a properly designed flue system to remove smoke and gases, while electric fires do not require a flue at all. During the design stage, it’s important to consider where the flue will run, how it integrates with your fireplace surround, and whether any additional support or insulation is needed.

With the right planning, even homes without chimneys can incorporate a fireplace that feels authentic, safe, and proportionate to the room.

Best Practice

If your home doesn’t have a chimney, consider a twin-wall flue system. It offers safe ventilation while allowing you to enjoy a traditional fireplace look.

How much does a natural stone fireplace cost?

The cost of a fireplace depends on several factors — including the choice of stone, overall size, level of design detail, and any additional structural work required, such as flue lining or chimney modifications. Below is an approximate guide to typical UK pricing to help you plan your project.

Fireplace Cost Guide

Typical cost ranges for natural stone fireplaces in the UK. Final prices depend on stone type, scale of the surround, hearth choice, and installation complexity.

Project Type	Typical Cost Range*	What Affects the Price
Small, simple stone surround	£600–£1,500	Uses existing opening, minimal detailing, smaller stone pieces
Medium fireplace with new hearth	£1,500–£3,500	Higher-grade stone, more detailing, new hearth, modifications
Large or bespoke feature fireplace	£4,000–£7,000+	Premium stone, intricate carving, custom mantel, chimney/flue work

Note: Costs are indicative and vary by stone type, design complexity, contractor rates, and site access.

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.