Electric fireplace layout ideas for NZ homes
There’s something timeless about gathering around a fireplace.
It’s a place for conversation, quiet moments, and warmth — often the emotional centre of the home.
But traditional fireplaces come with trade-offs: sourcing firewood, cleaning ash, chimney builds, ongoing maintenance, and sometimes complex code compliance.
With no flue, no emissions, and no fuss, Rinnai’s electric range brings all the atmosphere of a real fire — with none of the mess.
Whether you’re designing a media wall in a new build or adding ambience to a compact renovation, this guide will help you choose a layout that fits your space and style.
Already picturing a fireplace in your lounge, bedroom, or open-plan living area?
Explore the Rinnai electric fires range or visit our showroom at Residium to experience them in person.
Three layout styles to inspire your space
Rinnai’s innovative and design-led electric fireplace range is crafted with safety, simplicity, and design flexibility in mind.
These features are especially valuable in open-plan or multi-use spaces where visual appeal and usability need to work together:
Cool-touch glass for safe, family-friendly design
All ES and EL series models feature cool-touch safety glass.
This means the front of the fireplace remains safe to touch while in use — a big plus for households with young kids, pets, or compact living spaces where furniture and walkways are close by.
Cool-touch glass allows:
- Safe placement near traffic zones or play areas
- Peace of mind in apartments or family rooms
- More flexibility in how close the unit can sit to other features, like cabinetry or flooring
Holographic flame technology for an immersive visual effect
Rinnai’s holographic flame technology (featured in the EL series) delivers a hyper-realistic visual flame experience.
This includes:
- Customisable flame colour, brightness, and speed
- Glowing log beds and ember effects
- Optional ambient lighting beneath the unit
- Flame visuals that operate with or without heat
It’s a beautiful way to enjoy the atmosphere of a fireplace all year round — especially in media rooms or open living spaces where ambience matters as much as function.
Smart control with built-in Wi-Fi
All models in the ES and EL series include Wi-Fi control through the Tuya Smart* app. That means you can control your fireplace from your phone or voice assistant — adjusting flame effects, setting schedules, or turning it on before you get home.
Features include:
- Remote control of flame and heat settings
- Programmable schedules
- Open window detection (on select models)
- Voice assistant compatibility via app integration*
*Tuya Smart is a third-party platform.
Real warmth, with adjustable heating power
Designed to gently warm small to medium-sized living spaces, electric fireplaces are perfect for bedrooms, lounges, and open-plan areas where both ambience and comfort matter.
Models in the ES and EL range provide up to 1.5–2.0 kW of heating power, while select larger models like the EL 1500 offer up to 3.0 kW.
Heat settings are fully adjustable, so you can:
- Turn the heat off entirely for visual ambience in summer
- Use low-heat mode for shoulder seasons
- Boost to full power on chilly evenings
Because there’s no combustion or open flame, all the electricity goes into clean radiant and fan-assisted warmth, with no energy lost up the flue.
That makes Rinnai’s electric fireplaces an efficient, cost-effective way to add targeted heat.
Tip: Zone heating with an electric fireplace can help reduce your reliance on ducted or central systems — especially in lived-in spaces where you spend most of your evenings.
Three electric fireplace layout styles to inspire you
These three layout styles show what’s possible when you combine smart planning with the right fireplace model from Rinnai.
Built-in and Recessed Fireplaces
Flush-mounted electric fireplaces offer a clean, architectural look — perfect for minimalist homes or modern new builds.
The fireplace is recessed into a wall cavity, with a flush or slightly framed edge.
Best for:
- Minimalist Design
- New builds or major renovations
- Feature walls with custom framing
Rinnai models to consider:
| ES 1000
RRP: $2,999 Find our more here: Details |
ES 1300
RRP $3,499 Learn more here: Details |
ES 1500
RRP: $3,899 Discover here: Details |
| EL 1000
RRP: $7,499 Explore here: Details |
EL 1500
RRP: $7,999 Learn more here: Details |
Under-TV or media wall setups
A popular design choice, placing the fireplace below a TV creates a stylish entertainment hub.
Rinnai electric fires are designed to emit heat from the front — not the top — making them safer for pairing with screens and electronics.
Best for:
- Lounge centrepieces
- Floating cabinetry setups
- Media rooms
Rinnai models to consider:
| ES 1300
RRP $3,499 Learn more here: Details |
ES 1500
RRP $3,899 Learn more here: Details |
| EL 1000
RRP: $7,499 Explore here: Details |
EL 1500
RRP: $7,999 Learn more here: Details |
Corner or 3-sided fireplaces
Bring warmth and interest from multiple angles with corner or three-sided designs — a bold feature for open-plan layouts or architectural spaces.
Best for:
- Transitional zones
- Open-plan areas
- Room dividers
Rinnai models to consider:
| ES 1000
RRP: $2,999 Find our more here: Details |
ES 1800
RRP $4,399 Learn more here: Details |
ES 2200
RRP: $5,199 Discover here: Details |
| EL 1000
RRP: $7,499 Explore here: Details |
EL 1500
RRP: $7,999 Learn more here: Details |
Considerations before choosing your electric fireplace layout
- Do you want the fireplace to be a focal point or a subtle feature?
- Are you designing a new space, or working with an existing room?
- Do you want the fire purely for ambience, or also to provide heat?
- Will you pair the fireplace with a TV or built-in shelving?
- Do you prefer a flush, inset look or a freestanding layout?
- What’s your budget and timeframe?
- Where is your power source, and will cabling be visible or hidden?
Sketching your ideas, browsing inspiration, or chatting with a designer can help narrow your options.
See Rinnai electric fireplaces at Residium
Want to experience these fireplaces in person? Visit Residium — the home of New Zealand’s leading design and home brands — to explore Rinnai’s electric range.
Ready to design your feature wall?
Whether you’re designing a bold centrepiece or a subtle source of warmth, Rinnai’s electric fireplace range gives you the design freedom and modern features to suit any lifestyle.
Browse the full electric fireplace range, download tech specs, or chat to your nearest stockist about which model is right for your home.
