A guide to choosing the right electric fireplace size for your wall, room, and installation.

The honest answer: bigger is not always better

One of the easiest ways to get stuck when shopping for an electric fireplace is size.

You might start with a simple question: What size electric fireplace do I need?

Then suddenly you are comparing 26-inch inserts, 50-inch wall-mounted fireplaces, 60-inch built-ins, 74-inch linear fireplaces, 100-inch statement pieces, and 120-inch models that look like they belong in a hotel lobby.

The honest answer is that the right size is not just about the number of inches. It is about proportion.

A fireplace that looks perfect in a bedroom may look tiny on a large living room wall. A 100-inch fireplace may look incredible in a wide media wall, but completely ridiculous in a small den. Electric fireplace sizing is less about choosing the biggest model you can afford and more about choosing the size that fits the room, the wall, and the way you want the space to feel.

At Very Good Fireplaces, we think the better question is:

What size fireplace makes sense for the project you are building?

That is how this guide is organized.

Quick answer: where to start

This is not a hard rule. It is a starting point.

A 50-inch fireplace can look great in one living room and too small in another. A 72-inch fireplace can feel balanced in a wide room but overwhelming in a narrow one. The size should match the wall first, then the room, then the installation style.

Browse by size

If you already know the approximate width you want, this is the fastest way to narrow the search.

Before choosing a size, decide what kind of fireplace you are installing

This is the part people often skip.

They start comparing fireplace widths before deciding whether they need a built-in fireplace, a wall-mounted fireplace, or an insert. That is backwards.

The installation type changes how the size feels.

A Built-In Electric Fireplace is usually framed into a wall, cabinet, or media feature. Because it becomes part of the room design, you can often go larger without the fireplace feeling out of place.

A Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace sits on the wall like a large piece of decor. These are usually easier to install, but the size needs to feel balanced with the wall, furniture, and TV.

An Electric Fireplace Insert is different. With inserts, the existing fireplace opening usually decides the size for you. You are not choosing based on the wall as much as you are choosing based on the firebox dimensions.

So before asking, “Should I get a 50-inch or 60-inch fireplace?” ask:

Am I building this into a wall, mounting it on the wall, or fitting it into an existing opening?

That one question narrows the decision fast.

26–35 inch electric fireplaces

Smaller electric fireplaces usually make sense for bedrooms, home offices, apartments, condos, and existing fireplace openings.

This size range is not meant to dominate a room. It is meant to add warmth, movement, and a focal point without taking over the wall.

A 26-inch to 35-inch fireplace can work well if:

• You are replacing a small existing fireplace insert.
• You want a simple upgrade for a bedroom or office.
• You have limited wall space.
• You want the fireplace to support the room, not become the main feature.

This size can be a mistake if the wall is wide and empty. A small fireplace on a large blank wall often looks like someone hung the wrong picture frame. Not tragic, but definitely “something feels off.”

If you are working with an existing opening, measure carefully before shopping. For inserts, the physical fit matters more than the visual width. You need to know the opening width, height, and depth before comparing models.

If you are shopping in this compact range, compare 26–35 Inch Electric Fireplaces. If the project is an insert conversion, start with the Electric Fireplace Inserts collection rather than browsing every fireplace size on the site.

36–49 inch electric fireplaces

This is a useful middle range.

Fireplaces from 36 to 49 inches are often a good fit for smaller living rooms, apartments, bedrooms, secondary sitting areas, and many existing fireplace openings.

They are large enough to feel intentional, but not so large that they require a full media wall or custom build-out.

This range is especially common when someone wants a fireplace that looks clean without making the whole room about the fireplace.

A 36-inch to 49-inch fireplace can work well if:

• You have a compact living room.
• You are updating an older fireplace opening.
• You want something larger than a bedroom fireplace but smaller than a full feature wall.
• You are working with a narrower wall.

The main thing to watch is proportion. If you have a 70-inch TV above the fireplace, a 36-inch fireplace may look too small underneath it. If you have a narrow wall or a small mantel, the same fireplace might look perfect.

This is where the wall matters more than the product photo. If this sounds like your room, browse 36–49 Inch Electric Fireplaces to compare options in that range.

50–59 inch electric fireplaces

For many homes, this is the “safe middle” range.

A 50-inch to 59-inch electric fireplace works well in a lot of standard living rooms. It is wide enough to feel substantial, but not so large that the room has to be designed around it.

This size range often makes sense if you are putting the fireplace below a TV, adding a fireplace to a media console, or creating a simple wall-mounted focal point.

A 50-inch fireplace is not automatically small. In the right room, it can look clean, balanced, and intentional.

This range can work well if:

• You have a standard living room.
• You are placing the fireplace under a TV.
• You want a modern look without building a huge feature wall.
• You are choosing a wall-mounted fireplace.
• You want something noticeable but not dramatic.

If you are deciding between a wall-mounted setup and a recessed setup, it is worth comparing Wall Mounted Electric Fireplaces with Built-In Electric Fireplaces before choosing the exact width.

The same 50-inch fireplace can feel very different depending on whether it is mounted on the wall or built into one. If you want that standard living-room range, start with 50–59 Inch Electric Fireplaces.

60–74 inch electric fireplaces

This is where electric fireplaces start to feel more architectural.

A 60-inch to 74-inch fireplace is usually a strong choice for built-in walls, media walls, larger living rooms, and remodels where the fireplace is supposed to be one of the main design features.

If you are building one of those long modern fireplace walls with a TV above it, this is often the size range where the project starts to look intentional.

A 60-inch to 74-inch fireplace can work well if:

• You are building a media wall.
• You have a larger living room.
• You want the fireplace to anchor the space.
• You are framing the fireplace into a wall.
• You want a modern linear look.

For the lower end of this range, compare 60–69 Inch Electric Fireplaces. If your wall needs something wider, the 70–79 Inch Electric Fireplaces collection is the next logical step.

This is also where brands like Modern Flames start to make a lot of sense. Their fireplaces are well suited to built-in projects, fireplace walls, and clean modern designs.

If you are still comparing brands for this type of project, the guide to Best Electric Fireplace Brands is a good next read.

The main caution with this size range is the TV relationship. If the fireplace is going under a TV, the fireplace should usually feel at least as wide as the TV, and often a little wider. But that does not mean you need to go enormous. The goal is balance, not a staring contest between the TV and the fireplace.

75–89 inch electric fireplaces

Once you move into the 75-inch to 89-inch range, you are usually designing a feature.

These fireplaces are best for wide walls, open living areas, large media walls, and rooms where a standard 50-inch or 60-inch fireplace would look underwhelming.

This size range can be beautiful when the room supports it. It can also look forced if the wall is not wide enough.

A 75-inch to 89-inch fireplace can work well if:

• You have a large living room or open-concept space.
• You are building a wide fireplace wall.
• You want the fireplace to be a major visual element.
• You have a large TV and need the fireplace to hold its own.
• You are using custom cabinetry, stone, tile, or a full wall treatment.

The easiest mistake here is buying the fireplace first and designing the wall around it later.

For this size range, I would reverse that. Think about the wall design first. Where does the TV go? How wide is the wall? Will there be cabinets? Is the fireplace centered? Is there enough space above, below, and around it?

A larger fireplace should look like it belongs to the room, not like it won an argument with the room. For this kind of larger feature wall, compare 70–79 Inch Electric Fireplaces and 80–89 Inch Electric Fireplaces.

90–120 inch electric fireplaces

This is the statement category.

Fireplaces from 90 to 120 inches are not for every room. They are for oversized feature walls, luxury living spaces, commercial spaces, restaurants, hotels, large open rooms, and custom homes where the fireplace is part of the architecture.

This is where you should be very honest with yourself. A 100-inch fireplace can look incredible in the right space. In the wrong space, it can look like you accidentally installed a runway.

A 90-inch to 120-inch fireplace can work well if:

• You have a very wide wall.
• The room has enough scale to support it.
• You are building a luxury media wall.
• You are designing a commercial or hospitality space.
• You want the fireplace to be the main architectural feature.

For these projects, start with the Extra Large Electric Fireplaces collection. That collection is designed specifically for larger models, including fireplaces around 90 inches and above.

This is also where installation planning matters more. Larger fireplaces are not difficult just because they are wide, but they do require better planning. Framing, electrical placement, TV height, finish materials, and wall proportions all matter.

If the room is large enough, an oversized fireplace can be the thing that makes the whole design feel finished.

If the room is not large enough, it will just feel like the fireplace is yelling.

What size electric fireplace should go under a TV?

A good rule of thumb is that the fireplace should usually be close to the width of the TV or slightly wider.

That does not mean it has to match perfectly. A 60-inch fireplace can work under a 65-inch TV. A 72-inch fireplace can work under a large TV if the wall is wide enough. The important thing is that the fireplace does not look tiny compared with the screen.

For most TV wall projects:

• A 50-inch fireplace works well with smaller to mid-size TVs.
• A 60-inch fireplace works well with many standard living room TV setups.
• A 72-inch fireplace starts to look more custom and built-in.
• A 90-inch-plus fireplace is usually for large media walls, not average rooms.

The other issue is height. You do not want the TV mounted too high just because the fireplace is below it. This is especially important with built-in projects.

If you are planning a TV-over-fireplace layout, read Can You Mount a TV Above an Electric Fireplace? before locking in the design.

Fireplace inserts are different: measure first, shop second

If you are buying an insert, sizing works differently.

With a wall-mounted or built-in fireplace, you are usually choosing the size based on the room and wall. With an insert, you are usually choosing based on the existing fireplace opening.

Before shopping for an insert, measure:

• Opening width
• Opening height
• Opening depth
• Surround or trim space
• Outlet access
• Clearance around the firebox

Do not guess here. A fireplace insert that almost fits is just a fireplace insert that does not fit. Annoying, expensive, and avoidable. The rare trifecta.

If you are converting an existing fireplace, start with Electric Fireplace Inserts. If you are building a new frame around an insert, the guide on How to Build a Frame for an Electric Fireplace Insert is a useful next step.

Common sizing mistakes

The first mistake is assuming bigger is automatically better.

Sometimes bigger is better. Sometimes bigger just makes the room feel awkward. The fireplace should match the scale of the wall and the room.

The second mistake is choosing a size before choosing the installation style.

A 60-inch wall-mounted fireplace and a 60-inch built-in fireplace can feel completely different. Decide whether the fireplace is going on the wall, into the wall, or into an existing opening before you choose the width.

The third mistake is choosing a fireplace that is too small for a wide wall.

This is common with media walls. A small fireplace under a large TV on a wide wall can look unfinished. If the wall is large, the fireplace probably needs more width than you first think.

The fourth mistake is ignoring the surrounding materials.

Tile, stone, cabinetry, shelving, and wall color all affect how large the fireplace feels. A fireplace built into a full wall treatment usually feels more integrated than the same fireplace sitting alone on drywall.

The fifth mistake is thinking heat output and fireplace width are the same decision.

A larger fireplace does not always mean it will heat a much larger space. Many electric fireplaces are designed primarily for supplemental heat and visual ambiance. If heating capacity is your main concern, read How Much Space Can an Electric Fireplace Really Heat? before choosing based on size alone.

If this were my house

If I were choosing for a bedroom or office, I would probably start in the 26-inch to 35-inch range, or move into 36–49 inches if the wall had enough room.

If I were updating an existing fireplace opening, I would measure the opening first and start with inserts rather than browsing by style.

If I were adding a fireplace under a TV in a normal living room, I would probably look around 50 to 59 inches or 60 to 69 inches.

If I were building a real media wall, I would start around 60 to 69 inches or 70 to 79 inches and adjust based on the wall width.

If I had a large open living room or a luxury feature wall, I would look at 80–89 Inch Electric Fireplaces and up.

If I were working with an oversized wall, a commercial space, or a truly large custom build, I would start with Extra Large Electric Fireplaces and compare 90-inch, 100-inch, and 120-inch models.

That is the real answer. Not one perfect size. The right size depends on the room, the wall, the installation, and how much visual weight you want the fireplace to carry.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common electric fireplace size?

For many living rooms, the most common range is around 50 to 59 inches or 60 to 69 inches. That size works well under many TVs, fits standard walls, and gives the room a noticeable fireplace feature without requiring a large custom build.

What size electric fireplace should I get for a media wall?

For most media walls, start around 60 inches and go up from there. A 60-inch fireplace to 74-inch fireplace works well for many built-in TV walls, while larger spaces may need 80 inches or more.

Is a 50-inch electric fireplace big enough?

Yes, a 50-inch fireplace can be big enough for bedrooms, apartments, smaller living rooms, and many TV wall setups. It may feel too small on a very wide wall or in a large open-concept room. If that size range fits your wall, compare 50–59 Inch Electric Fireplaces.

What size electric fireplace should go under a 65-inch TV?

A 50-inch to 60-inch fireplace can work under a 65-inch TV, depending on the wall and layout. If you want a more balanced built-in look, a 60-inch or wider fireplace often feels better.

Are 100-inch electric fireplaces too big for homes?

Not always. A 100-inch fireplace can look excellent in a large home, open living room, luxury media wall, or commercial-style space. It is usually too large for small rooms or narrow walls. For that scale, start with Extra Large Electric Fireplaces.

Do larger electric fireplaces heat more space?

Not necessarily. Some larger fireplaces have similar heating capacity to smaller models. Fireplace width affects the visual presence more than the heating performance. Always check the heating specs if warmth is a major priority.

What size electric fireplace insert do I need?

For inserts, measure the existing fireplace opening first. You need the width, height, and depth of the opening before choosing a model. The best insert is the one that fits properly and looks natural inside the existing space.

Final thought

Choosing the right electric fireplace size is mostly about proportion.

A small fireplace can look perfect in the right room. A large fireplace can make a wall feel finished. The mistake is treating size like a simple upgrade path where more inches always means a better result.

Start with the project.

Are you mounting it on the wall? Building it in? Replacing an old fireplace? Designing a media wall? Filling a large open room?

Once you answer that, the size decision gets much easier.

If you are early in the process, start by comparing Built-In Electric Fireplaces, Wall Mounted Electric Fireplaces, and Electric Fireplace Inserts. If the wall is especially wide, move straight to Extra Large Electric Fireplaces.

The best size is not the biggest fireplace. It is the one that makes the room feel balanced, intentional, and finished.