8 Best Contemporary Fireplaces in London Homes

The best contemporary fireplaces are conceived alongside the architecture, not added to it afterwards. Their proportion, material and placement are resolved with the room itself, so the fireplace reads as part of the building rather than an object within it. The ten designs below, selected from Modus projects across London's townhouses, penthouses and period conversions, show how that thinking translates across linear gas fireplaces, suspended forms and double-sided installations. Each began as a specific brief, and each can be adapted in scale, material and finish, or reimagined entirely for a new setting

Muro 09: Linear Gas Fireplace with Hot-Rolled Steel

A 2.4-metre open-front linear gas fireplace framed by hot-rolled steel side panels. The raw tonal variation of the steel gives a long, low flame the material depth it needs in a large living space.View Muro 09

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Muro 15: Linear Gas Fireplace with Black Glass

A 2.4-metre flame set within floor-to-ceiling black glass. When the fire is off, the glass reads as a single dark, reflective plane; when lit, the flame appears to hang within it. View Muro 15

Muro 08: 2.5 Metre Gas Fireplace within a Timber Media Wall

A 2.5-metre linear gas fireplace integrated into a full-height slatted timber media wall. Fireplace, joinery and television are designed as a single composition, with heat management resolved from the outset. (Read more: Can You Install a TV Above a Fireplace?) View Muro 08

Orbit 01:

Suspended Conical Fireplace in Antique BrassA suspended conical fireplace with an antique brass canopy above a carved, hammered granite base. Positioned in open space, it reads as a sculpture first and a fireplace second. View Orbit 01

Orbit 07: Four-Sided Glass Island Fireplace

‍A four-sided glass fireplace beneath a suspended, stone-clad canopy. The flame is visible from every angle, making it a natural centrepiece for open-plan and double-height spaces.View Orbit 07

Vista 02: Double-Sided Linear Gas Fireplace

Room DividerA double-sided linear gas fireplace that divides two spaces while keeping a visual connection between them. It is an architectural solution as much as a source of heat.View Vista 02

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Gyrofocus: The Pivoting Suspended Fireplace by Focus

One of the most recognisable fireplace designs of the last half-century, the Gyrofocus pivots through 360 degrees on its suspended flue. Designed by Dominique Imbert and available in the UK through Modus, it remains a principal reference point for the suspended fireplace.View Gyrofocus

Senso 08, The Pebble: Sculptural Outdoor Fire Pit

‍A sculptural outdoor gas fire pit in smooth, honed concrete. Low and rounded, it brings the language of a contemporary interior out onto the terrace.View Senso 08

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‍‍Frequently Asked Questions

What is a contemporary fireplace?
A contemporary fireplace is a design that prioritises clean geometry, considered materials and integration with the architecture over traditional mantels and ornament. Typical forms include linear gas fires, hole-in-the-wall designs, suspended fireplaces and double-sided fireplaces.

What is the difference between a modern and a contemporary fireplace?
In practice the terms are used interchangeably for fireplaces with clean lines and minimal ornament. Strictly, "modern" refers to the mid-century design movement, while "contemporary" describes current design.

Can a contemporary fireplace be installed without a chimney?
Yes. Many gas fireplaces can be installed with a balanced flue or powered flue system, and bioethanol fireplaces need no flue at all. The right option depends on the construction of the building, which Modus assesses as part of the design process.

Can any of these designs be customised?
Every design shown can be adapted in size, material and finish to suit the project. For something entirely new, the Ultra Bespoke service develops a fireplace from first principles.

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