Are corner fireplaces still in style, and how do I modernize one?
Corner fireplaces are still in style — they save space, anchor a room without eating a full wall, and suit open plans and smaller mountain living rooms. What dates them is the finish, not the location. Modernize by refacing the surround, cleaning up the mantel, and swapping a tired firebox for a clean-face gas or linear unit.
The corner isn't the problem
A corner placement is genuinely useful — it lets you angle seating toward the fire, frees up wall space, and fits the tighter footprints of cabins and older Asheville homes where a full feature wall isn't in the cards. The corner fireplaces that read as dated aren't dated because they're in a corner; they're dated because of an 1980s builder finish: brass-trimmed doors, honey-oak mantel, small dark firebox, and a slab of orange-toned tile or brick.
How to bring it current
Start with the surface. Reface with large-format tile, stacked stone, or limewashed brick, and consider carrying it up toward the ceiling to give the corner some height and drama. Lose the brass — replace or refinish the door front — and either simplify the mantel to a clean floating shelf or remove it entirely for a modern look. Then address the fire itself: a corner-friendly clean-face direct-vent gas unit, or a corner-rated linear, updates the flame and adds real, power-optional heat instead of a decorative box.
Who does what
A corner remodel usually spans two trades. Our mason and tile partners handle the veneer and stonework; we handle the parts that make heat — the appliance, the venting, the gas line, and the clearances, all permitted and pressure-tested. That means one accountable company for the burning side instead of stitching the job across a showroom and a handyman and then hunting for someone licensed to connect the fuel. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free in-home assessment to see what your corner can take.
Related questions
- How do I make a 1970s floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace look modern?
- How do I update a dated 1980s brass-and-oak fireplace?
- How do I update brass fireplace doors — paint them or replace them?
- What is fireplace refacing and what does it involve?
- Can I replace my traditional fireplace with a modern linear one?
- What are the best materials for a fireplace surround?
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