https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40594781/Missed Part 1?

Before diving into restoring fireplaces, make sure to check out Part 1 of this guide, where I walk through the legal, structural, and financial implications of removing or redesigning a fireplace or chimney breast during a renovation.

➤ Click here to read Part 1 →

Why restoring a fireplace still matters

Once you've decided to keep a fireplace, the next question becomes: what do you do with it? Many period homes have fireplaces that have been mistreated over the decades: boarded up, painted over, tiled awkwardly, or replaced with something out of keeping. But a thoughtful restoration can be incredibly rewarding, both aesthetically and practically.

1. Bringing back the beauty: tips on restoration

If your fireplace has been boxed in or hidden, it might still be possible to restore it to something much closer to its original state.

• Remove coverings carefully; plasterboard, MDF surrounds, or later-period tiles can often be stripped back to reveal brick or stone.
• Check for signs of damage, especially water ingress, crumbling mortar, or structural movement.
• Repoint exposed brickwork using lime mortar, not cement, to allow breathability and protect the fabric of the building.
• Replace missing parts with architectural salvage pieces, from cast iron inserts to timber mantels. The market for these is fantastic, and you can often find pieces more beautiful than anything newly made.

Note: A fireplace doesn’t have to be used to be enjoyed. Some of the most beautiful are purely decorative: holding candles, stacked logs, flowers, or left empty as a statement of space and time.

2. The case against open fires: health, pollution and regulations

Even if you love the idea of a real fire, it's important to understand the risks and current guidance around open fireplaces, especially in urban or smoke control areas.

• Air pollution: Burning wood and other solid fuels releases fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is harmful to health. According to the latest UK government statistics, domestic combustion accounted for 20% of UK PM2.5 emissions in 2024, with indoor wood burning alone responsible for 12%. For comparison, road transport contributed 21% (Defra statistics).
• Indoor air quality: Research has shown that using wood-burning appliances can increase indoor exposure to fine and ultrafine particles, including when newer appliances are used. The level of exposure depends on factors such as the appliance, fuel, ventilation and how the fire is operated (Peer review research on toxicity).
• Legal restrictions: In many areas (including London), you can only burn authorised fuels in DEFRA-approved stoves. Open fires burning wood are often not permitted.

So, even if you keep the fireplace, you may wish to make peace with it being non-functional, or convert it for gas, bioethanol, or electric alternatives. Many look stunning and create a similar visual impact without the same risks.

3. Fireplaces and retrofitting: what role do they play?

Restoring original features, including fireplaces, is often part of thoughtful retrofitting strategies.

• Heritage preservation: Maintaining original fireplaces can support the long-term sustainability of a building’s structure. Reusing existing materials reduces the need for new manufacture.
• Character and appeal: Original period features can be an attractive selling point, particularly for buyers who appreciate a property's architectural character. A well-restored fireplace can contribute to that appeal, even when it is no longer functional.
• Draught-proofing and ventilation: An unused chimney can contribute to heat loss, but sealing it completely may create moisture problems. Chimney balloons, dampers or other suitable draught excluders can reduce unwanted airflow while maintaining the ventilation needed to keep the flue dry (see Historic England's guidance on chimneys and flues).

4. Emotional logic: why I generally choose to keep fireplaces

I’ll be transparent: I have a bias toward fireplaces. I’ve restored them in my own homes and advised many clients to do the same. There’s something grounding about a fireplace. Even when it’s not in use, it gives a sense of presence, like the home is anchored in its own history.

They also help people feel emotionally attached to a space. And in renovations, that counts. Homes are more than floor plans and finishes; they’re spaces we live our lives in. And fireplaces, when well-integrated, can make a house feel like home.

Final thoughts: make your decision fully informed

Whether you choose to keep, restore, remove or redesign your fireplace, what matters is that you feel clear and confident in your decision. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Just a set of options, each with its own value and implications.

Some people will always want to open things up and maximise light and flow. Others will want to honour the house's original bones. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

If you’re unsure, start with curiosity. What’s behind that plasterboard? What stories does this house hold in its bricks and mortar? You may find the answer in the process itself.

Planning a renovation of a period property? Whether you're restoring original features or adapting your home for modern living, The Place Between offers independent advice to help you balance character, practicality and sustainability.