Entertainment centers with electric fireplaces are a great way to enhance the look of any room in a home. Electric fireplaces entertainment centers can come pre-built with an electric fireplace designed into them, and there are a range of options to choose from.
Entertainment centers can also be bespoke designs to fit along a certain wall, but can you put an electric fireplace in one of these entertainment centers?
Plug-in or built-in electric fireplace inserts can be designed into a custom-built entertainment center, or an entertainment center can be bought with an electric fireplace already integrated.
There are certain types of electric fireplace that are designed to go into installations such as entertainment centers and we’ve explained what these are in more detail below and what the differences are between them.
Electric Fireplaces In Entertainment Centres
Electric fireplace entertainment centers can come in different forms depending on whether you want to build your own entertainment center or simply buy one that has an electric fireplace already installed inside.
Pre-Installed Electric Fireplace Entertainment Centers
Electric fireplaces can come pre-built into furniture that works as an entertainment center for many of your electric devices such as TVs, media consoles, AV equipment and more.
An electric fireplace entertainment center will be designed and built around an electric fireplace as the focal point.
Depending on the model of electric fireplace entertainment center It may also have space for a TV on top, as well open media console areas and cabinets for storage.
An electric fireplace entertainment center can also be commonly referred to as an:
- Electric fireplace TV stand
- Electric fireplace media console
When buying any type of electric fireplace entertainment center you’re getting a piece of furniture that has an electric fireplace pre-installed, and so you won’t need to worry about looking at bespoke designs.
We have a complete guide to the best electric fireplace TV stands that also covers electric fireplace entertainment centers and media consoles.
Bespoke Electric Fireplace Entertainment Centers
Electric fireplaces can also be installed into existing entertainment centers or designed into new ones.
If you have an existing entertainment center you may have to retrofit a new electric fireplace into it if it doesn’t already have one installed.
If you’re looking to have a custom entertainment center installed in your home then you can design and install an electric fireplace into it.
When designing an electric fireplace into your entertainment center you’ll need to take into account the different types of electric fireplace available that are suited for use in an entertainment center.
You’ll also need to consider how you will supply power to the electric fireplace. Many come with sockets that you can plug straight into one of your standard electrical outlets, while others will need to be directly wired into your home electrics.
We’ve explained the different types of electric fireplace that are suitable for entertainment centers below.
Types Of Electric Fireplace For Entertainment Centers
To help you understand whether an electric fireplace can be placed in an entertainment center we’ll go over the main types of electric fireplace that are commonly integrated into entertainment centers.
These types of electric fireplace include:
- Wall mount electric fireplaces
- Electric fireplace logs
- Plug-in electric fireplace inserts
- Built-in electric fireplace inserts
Types of electric fireplace that aren’t typically designed to go in an entertainment center include electric fireplace stoves, mantels and TV stands.
Wall Mount Electric Fireplaces
Wall mount electric fireplaces are simply electric fireplaces that can be mounted on the surface of a wall in your home.
They’re typically found to be linear (longer width ways than height) and generally come as a plug-in format where you just need to plug it into a nearby electrical outlet in order for it to work.
Some wall mount electric fireplaces also give you the option of partially recessing or fully recessing them into a wall.
Wall mount electric fireplaces are great for entertainment centers built around part of a wall that sticks out in the room, such as a chimney breast.
A wall mount electric fireplace can be installed onto the part of the wall that sticks out while any shelves, cabinets or media console areas can be installed either side.
It’s also common to see a TV installed above an electric fireplace on wall to make it a full experience feature wall.
Wall mount electric fireplaces are typically plug-in and so you’ll need a nearby electrical outlet in order to be able to operate the fireplace.
For more information on wall mount electric fireplaces see our buyers guide.
Electric Fireplace Logs
Electric fireplace logs are simply a fake set of logs cast into a fireplace grate to resemble to look of a smoldering fire in a fireplace.
Unlike other types of electric fireplace, electric fireplace logs aren’t encased in a body and so can be flexible in where they can be placed.
This makes electric fireplace logs great for when you have an existing entertainment center and want to add a form of electric fireplace. If you have a small open area inside your existing entertainment center then a set of electric fireplaces logs may fit perfectly.
Electric fireplace logs are also typically plug-in and so you’ll need a free standard electrical outlet near the entertainment center.
Our electric fireplace log set buying guide will be able to provide you with more information.
Plug-In Electric Fireplace Inserts
Electric fireplace plug-in inserts are complete fireboxes with a set of electric fireplace logs inside.
As the name suggests, these types of electric fireplace inserts come with a plug attachment and so need to be plugged into a nearby electrical outlet to work.
Plug-in electric fireplace inserts also typically require clearance at the back of the unit and so you’ll need to take this into account when inserting into an existing entertainment center, or designing it into a new one.
See our buyers guide on electric fireplace inserts to find out more.
Built-in Electric Fireplace Inserts
Built-in electric fireplace inserts are great if you’re looking for a more permanent option for your entertainment center.
These types of inserts typically comes as a direct-wire option meaning that they will need to be wired into your home electrics, although some models can come with a plug-kit or can be ordered as an optional extra to allow you to plug them straight into an electrical outlet instead.
Built-in inserts are also typically zero clearance meaning you don’t need to leave space at the back. This can mean that built-in electric fireplaces can be installed into an entertainment center more effectively.
For more information check out our built-in electric fireplace buyers guide.
Conclusion
An electric fireplace can be installed into an existing entertainment or designed into a new one.
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the right electric fireplace for your entertainment center.
Wall mount electric fireplaces are great for when you have a surface on which to install an electric fireplace onto, while electric fireplace logs can be the best option when you have a small amount of open space to work with.
Plug-in electric fireplace inserts come as a larger firebox and may need to be retrofitted into an existing entertainment center, but simply need to be plugged into a standard electrical outlet to work.
Built-in versions of electric fireplace inserts offer a more permanent solution with direct-wiring but can be zero clearance for a better fit inside an entertainment center.
Both types of electric fireplaces inserts will work great if you’re looking to have a new entertainment center installed in your home.
Further Reading
Electric Fireplace Buying Guides
Electric Fireplace Outlet Requirements