The Benefits of Choosing a Corner Gas Fireplace for Small or Awkward Spaces

Every home presents a design challenge. Some rooms are too small for normal furniture to be used comfortably. Others have oddly shaped plans, sloping ceilings or structural elements that restrict the possible location of heating units or focal points. If you are remodeling or building in an area like this, you may be wondering: how do I make it warm and attractive without giving up needed square footage? That’s where the corner gas fireplace becomes an excellent solution.  

At Fireside, we specialize in helping homeowners, designers, and remodelers choose fireplaces that truly fit their homes — in style, layout, and performance. Corner gas fireplaces are an increasingly popular choice for rooms that are compact, oddly shaped, or otherwise difficult to design around. They give you the heat and comfort of a full-size unit while fitting snugly into a corner that might otherwise be wasted space.  

Let’s explore why a corner gas fireplace is a smart option for small or awkward spaces and how it transforms challenging rooms into cozy, stylish, and functional areas.  

Why Corners Are Important in Space Planning  

In most houses, corners are wasted space. A corner might contain a floor lamp, a bookshelf or a decorative plant, but it usually doesn't perform a major functional role. That changes with the installation of a fireplace there.  

A corner gas fireplace makes excellent use of this otherwise empty real estate. It moves the eye into a neglected corner of the room and makes it a focal point - all without cluttering furniture or taking up precious wall space.  

For rooms with:  

• Limited floor space  
• Multi windows or multiple doorways  
• Non-rectangular shapes (L-shaped, lofted, open-concept)  
• Slanted ceilings or slanted walls  

A corner installation will allow you to use as much space as possible without overwhelming the room.  

A Heating Solution That Doesn't Waste Square Footage  

Heating systems can be bulky. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces require a full hearth, chimney and clearance areas. Freestanding stoves are large floor space hogs. Even wall-mounted electric fireplaces require an unobstructed patch of wall. By contrast, a corner gas fireplace uses minimal footprint while still producing reliable, efficient heat.  

These units are designed to:  

• Lap tightly into 90-degree corner or recessed enclosures  
• Direct-vent technology that efficiently, safely exhausts combustion  
• Sealed combustion - Less disruption to indoor air  
• Provide heating outputs from supplemental to room-wide  

This makes them perfect for not only small homes, but secondary rooms such as dens, sunrooms, finished basements, guest suites, and master bedrooms.  

Specially Designed for Awkward Layouts  

All rooms just don't fit into traditional design. An attic conversion may have a steeply sloped ceiling. A basement may have a low bulkhead or structural piers. Or your floor plan may not even have a "natural" wall for a traditional fireplace.  

Here’s how a corner gas fireplace solves these design challenges:  

• Flexible footprint without structural interference.  
• It removes the need to reposition current features, such as windows, shelving or entryways.  
• It's important to note that this technique is used by homeowners to keep the layouts of asymmetrical rooms symmetrical.  
• It can be useful for zoning open concept homes or rooms where multiple uses are needed (such as living room + office combo).  

At Fireside, we routinely help customers visualize how a fireplace will look and function in unique spaces. Our in-home and virtual consultations make the final installation look natural, even when you don't have the perfect room layout.  

Flexible Design That Works in Any Space  

Just because your space isn't very large, you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics. Today’s corner gas fireplace models come in a wide variety of styles, from traditional to ultra-modern.  

Depending upon the appearance of your home, you have the option of:  

• Trim kit framed models with media surrounds  
• Glass front minimal hardware designs that are sleek.  
• Ceramic logs, river rock or glass bead fire media  
• Matte black, stainless or custom painted finish  

Even in a small room, the fireplace can be a dominant aesthetic feature - attracting people and giving the area a sophisticated and designer vibe.  

And since it is mounted on the corner, it will not compete with the attention of the TV, artwork or furniture arrangement.  

Consistent Clean Heat Where You Need It Most  

One of the main reasons people install fireplaces in their homes is to make a certain room more comfortable. This is especially true for additions, basements, or older sections of the home that do not heat uniformly.  

A corner gas fireplace delivers targeted heat where you want it most. Benefits include:  

• Even distribution of convective and radiant heat  
• Zoned heating, so you can adjust the thermostat in other areas  
• Great combustion efficiency, minimizing waste and utility costs  
• Year-round heating thanks to sealed systems without ash or soot  

At Fireside, we’ll help you choose the right BTU rating for your room size and insulation level, ensuring your corner fireplace is as effective as it is attractive.  

Ideal for Remodeling or Retrofitting  

If you’re upgrading an older fireplace or remodeling an awkward room, a corner gas fireplace is often easier to install than traditional alternatives. Direct-vent models are either horizontally or vertically vented, which makes them versatile for placement.  

This means:  

• No need for complete chimney or masonry reconstruction needed  
• Reduced project duration with fewer construction materials  
• More installation options in multi-story homes, town-homes or condominiums  
• Increased ability to meet code and clearance requirements  

Fireside offers full-service planning, installation, and support — whether you’re starting fresh or retrofitting an existing fireplace opening.  

The Layout of a Corner Fireplace  

Adding a fireplace in a small or awkward room is only half of the equation. The other half is furniture arrangement. Fortunately, corner installations can greatly enhance the flow of the room and help establish seating areas.  

Some layout tips to take into consideration include the following:  

• Arrange seating to embrace the corner fireplace for intimacy and visual unity  
• Use a small sectional or loveseat instead of a large sofa to keep roominess  
• Add built-ins or shelves on adjacent walls to create visual balance.  
• Mounting the TV on a perpendicular wall (or above the fireplace, if it is made for it)  
• Ground the space with a round or oval coffee table to repeat the softened angles of the layout  

At Fireside, we often provide design support or coordinate with remodelers and interior designers to help customers make the most of their room.  

Why Fireside Customers Choose Corner Gas Fireplaces  

We have assisted thousands of homeowners with difficult layout problems. From condo remodeling to cabin remodeling, we have witnessed the transformative power of the right fireplace in infusing warmth, character, and functionality into compact or unconventional spaces.  

Here’s why Fireside customers continue to choose corner gas fireplaces:  

• They maximize square footage without compromising on design.  
• They provide efficient and powerful heating  
• They make installation simpler in difficult places  
• They have long-term value.  

They designate friendly gathering places in other areas that may have otherwise been forgotten  

With Fireside’s deep experience in design, technology, and code compliance, our customers gain confidence and results at every stage of the process.  

Revamp the Corners of Your Home  

You don't need a large great room or a giant mantel to have the comfort of a fireplace. Sometimes, the smartest design decision is the one that re-claims neglected spaces to transform them into beautiful, functional spaces.  

A corner gas fireplace is exactly that: a compact, stylish solution for rooms that are short on space but long on potential.  

If you’re ready to re-imagine your layout, increase comfort, and introduce a new focal point into your living space, Fireside is ready to help.  

Explore our selection, schedule a consultation, or stop by a showroom to find out how a corner gas fireplace can transform your home one corner at a time.