Building a faux media wall for a built-in electric fire is top of the wish list for those wanting to create an impressive living room centrepiece and it is easy to see why. Keep reading our blog to find out how to make a media wall with electric fire, we'll talk about the constructed and provide you with some tips and styling inspiration along the way. 

You may wonder where to start if you are looking to create a stunning media wall for your home. Unless you are experienced in home renovations we would recommend you seek a professional installers help. However, it is well worth knowing the process that goes into creating a media wall and it is useful to know the right questions to ask any prospective builder/tradesman.

When it comes to the wall on which the fireplace and television will be mounted, you’ll find that most are timber-framed stud walls (as pictured below). The wooden frame supports the electric fire and the plasterboard fits flush to the edge of the fire frame which creates a smooth and seamless aesthetic.

When creating a stud wall, it’s important to leave a dedicated recess for the fireplace and to decide if you want your television to be wall mounted or fit within its own opening to create a flush finish.  A product like the Samsung Frame TV hangs as a picture frame so can be a popular model that does not require a recess to sit into. 

You will need to know the dimensions of your TV and electric fire before the construction of the faux chimney (otherwise, you could face some costly alterations further down the line). Ensure that any necessary electrical wires are run into the stud wall before it is plastered. The stud wall will hide all of the unsightly cables, which is one reason for their widespread appeal.

Stud walls also have the benefit of saving space in your room. Yes, they take up some floor space, but they house your TV and fire. Don’t restrict yourself to just television and fireplace either you can customise your media suite by adding illuminated alcoves or perhaps corner shelving to store books or other items. 10 minutes of exploring Instagram will show you that it’s easy to create a media wall that’s highly customised to your needs. 

Will it fit?

You will need to consider if the electric fire you’re looking at is suitable for your media wall. Some fireplaces are designed to hang from a wall, whereas others (known as built-in electric fires) are designed to sit within a recess. To achieve a seamless, smooth media wall you’ll want to select a built-in electric fire which will sit flush within the wall. Most built-in electric fires are fairly narrow so the faux chimney doesn’t need to jut out too far into the room.

Heat output

The vast majority of our built-in electric fires will provide up to 2kW of heat which is directed at a downwards angle at the top/front of the fire. The fires can also be operated in the flame effect only setting without any heat allowing you to enjoy the fire even on those warmer evenings.

Design

Electric fires are available in a huge variety of designs. When selecting your fire, be careful to consider its design and how will it complement your television and other features you decide to include within your media wall (beams, lighting, panels, shelving).

Clearance

Measuring how high your TV is going to be above the inset electric fire is an important thing to get right, especially if you don’t want an achy neck after watching Netflix. It is also important to check the manufacturer’s guidance on how much space you need to leave around your electric fire. (it is totally safe to mount a TV above an electric insert fire as they pump heat downwards out the front rather than up towards the TV but ensure you follow the guidance.)

To help you decide what kind of media wall and electric fire will be right for your home, we’ve teamed up with some incredible Instagram accounts to help make your decision easier.

We absolutely love what @home_in_ni has done with their home, it is one of the most incredible installations we have seen to showcase the Gazco eReflex 135R electric fire. A dedicated recess houses the television and beautiful shelving has been fitted into the alcove which makes the room look so elegant! 

Another of our favourite Instagram accounts @ourtravelhome has built this incredible faux chimney. The design uses painted timber to create a panelling effect around the electric fire. The washed beam above the electric fire has given the opportunity to add seasonal decor and the Samsung Frame TV (which is wall mounted) displays various artwork throughout the year.

With all these considerations in mind, it’s time for us to give you our handpicked recommendations. It can be a little overwhelming and electric fire technology has come a long way in recent years, so to help you choose the right fire for your media wall, we’ve outlined some of our favourites here at StovesAreUs below.

Or you can browse at your leisure through our Media Wall fires section on the website.

These are just a few of our favourite electric fires for media walls. We have a whole lot more options available…