How to Choose the Perfect Fireplace for Your Wood Burning Stove

Choosing the right fireplace is just as important as selecting the stove itself. A fireplace enhances safety, efficiency and the aesthetics of your room. Below is a full guide to help you select the perfect fireplace to go with your wood burning stove from Farmhouse Stoves Staffordshire.

Understand Your Space & Stove Requirements

Before looking at the variety of styles, you’ll need to get the basics right including size, heat output, clearances and building regulations. These considerations ensure your stove and fireplace work in partnership, safely and efficiently.

Room Size & Heat Output

A stove that’s too powerful will overheat the room, however if too weak and it won’t warm properly. 

Clearances & Hearth / Fireplace Opening

Your fireplace opening must provide enough clearance around the stove for safe installation. 

Air supply

Modern, well insulated homes often require a dedicated air vent or direct air feed if the stove output is over a certain level. 

Flue Considerations

If you’re installing a stove into an existing fireplace, check the chimney’s condition, flue size and liner. Mismatched flues can reduce draw, causing smoke or poor burning quality. 

If you’re installing a freestanding stove or new flue, check clearances to combustibles around the flue pipe and chimney.

Tip from our team: Book a free site survey (which we offer at Farmhouse Stoves) to assess your room, existing fireplace or chimney and help you get the right specification from the start.

Match Fireplace Style & Materials to the Stove and Your Home

Once you’ve got the technical side sorted, you can turn to style the fun part, your fireplace should complement the stove and your interior. The material and design will influence both aesthetics and performance.

Style & Proportion

The fireplace surround should be proportionate to your stove, too small a surround for a large stove will look odd and might compromise surrounding clearances. However if too large it may dominate the room and reduce the stove’s impact. 

Materials

Stone / Marble / Limestone: Offer a classically elegant look and are very good at withstanding heat, and suit many traditional stoves. 

Timber / MDF Surrounds: Timber can provide warmth and character, but must be set at safe distances from the stove and its flue. (Always check clearances)

Hearth Material: The material beneath and in front of the stove must be non‑combustible and meet regulations. For freestanding stoves, hearth thickness and size matters. 

Finishing Touches & Accessories

A decorative mantelpiece and shelving can enhance aesthetics, however remember these should not interfere with safety clearances.

Screens or fireguards may be required if you have children or pets.

Consider log storage integrated into the fireplace surround for both functionality and visually appeal.

Choosing the Right Fireplace for Your Stove at Farmhouse Stoves

At Farmhouse  Stoves we combine high quality stoves with expert installation and advice. Here’s how you can pick the perfect fireplace when you work with us.

Visit Our Showroom

Visit our showroom in Stoke‑on‑Trent to see stoves and fireplace surrounds together. Seeing real installations helps you visualise proportions, materials and finishes.

Let Us Survey Your Home

We offer a free site survey to assess your existing fireplace (if any), chimney, room size and layout. We’ll ensure the fireplace surround and hearth meet the necessary clearances and regulations.

Match Brand & Model

Whether you’re choosing a small wood only stove or a larger multi‑fuel model, we’ll help you select a fireplace surround that complements the stove’s size, output and style.

And since we supply only high‑quality, HETAS/OFTEC‑approved stoves and installation, you’ll be safe and compliant. 

Installation & Compliance

We handle all the technical details: hearth size & material, flue and air supply requirements, clearance distances, finish details and sign off. You’ll receive a certificate of compliance, which helps with insurance and future home resale value.

Key Steps to Follow

• Measure your room and calculate the appropriate stove output 
• Check your existing fireplace or plan for a new install – flue, hearth, air supply and clearances must be correct.
• Choose a fireplace surround style & material that complements your stove and home
• Ensure hearth and surround comply with regulations 

Work with a qualified installer (like us at Farmhouse Stoves Staffordshire) including expert survey, installation, certification and peace of mind.

Choosing the perfect fireplace to accompany your wood‑burning stove isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about safety, performance and harmony in your home. At Farmhouse  Stoves, we believe that a stove and surround combo become a key feature of your living space providing warmth, efficiency and beauty.

If you’re ready to explore fireplace surrounds and stoves, or want to book a free survey, feel free to visit our showroom or contact us on 01782 565079.