A panoramic fire is usually the widest single feature on a media wall, so the rest of the design tends to follow from it. Get the proportions right and the wall looks considered; get them wrong and the fire or the TV looks out of place. Here is how we approach it.
1. Match the fire to the TV
The most common mistake is a fire that is narrower than the TV above it. We recommend a fire slightly wider than the screen, so it runs a little past the TV on both sides:
| Model | Recess opening (W x H x D) | Overall size (W x H x D) | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Econovex 1270 | 1270 x 560 x 300 mm | 1296 x 570 x 311 mm | 50" to 55" TV |
| Econovex 1600 | 1600 x 560 x 300 mm | 1626 x 570 x 311 mm | 55" to 65" TV |
| Econovex 1800 | 1800 x 560 x 300 mm | 1826 x 570 x 311 mm | 65" to 75" TV |
| Econovex 2000 | 2032 x 560 x 300 mm | 2058 x 570 x 311 mm | 65" to 85" TV |
Going to the smaller TV in each range gives a more generous overhang either side, which many people prefer.
2. Plan the heights
Work from the floor upwards. The fire needs at least 150 mm from its base to the floor, and at least 200 mm from its top to a TV, mantel or ceiling. A slim recessed soundbar shelf between the fire and the TV is a popular way to use that gap. Keep the TV at a comfortable viewing height for where you sit, rather than pushing it high to clear the fire.
3. Show the glass, hide the box
Build the opening to the fire's recess size so the plaster finishes neatly up to the edges of the unit. Once finished, only the glass and a slim heat vent along the top should be visible. That clean, frameless look is what makes a panoramic fire read as part of the architecture.
4. Decide how many sides to show
On a chimney breast that projects into the room, showing the glass on the front and both ends gives the most dramatic effect. If the fire sits against a return wall, a 2-sided (corner) fit covers one end; for a flat wall, a flush fit shows the front only. Side covers are included for all of these.
5. Alcoves and lighting
Recessed alcove shelves either side of the chimney breast balance a long, low fire and give somewhere for books and ceramics. Warm white LED strips under each shelf echo the glow of the fire without competing with it. Keep shelves and anything combustible within the clearances, and keep furniture at least 1 m in front of the fire.
6. Finishes
Smooth warm-white plaster, limewash and microcement all suit a frameless fire because they keep attention on the flames. The fire's own ambient and ember bed lighting can be set to different colours from the remote, so a neutral wall gives you the most flexibility.
Not sure which size suits your wall? Send us your wall width and TV size and we will recommend a model from our panoramic fires range.
