November 21, 2025

2-Sided vs 3-Sided Electric Fires: Best Choice for Your Media Wall

If your media wall TV sits so high it feels like front-row cinema neck-ache territory, here’s the short answer: yes, it’s probably too high. But before you rebuild your Electric Fire Suite, keep reading — fixing the height is easier than you think, and your spine will thank you.

Choosing between a 2-sided and 3-sided electric fire can feel a bit like choosing between two perfectly good desserts. Both look great, both transform a room, but each offers a slightly different flavour. And when you’re planning a media wall — the modern equivalent of a home’s “feature fireplace” — the decision can shape the entire space.

Let’s break it all down in a way that’s simple, honest, and hopefully a little enjoyable to read.

Defining the Fire Views

2-Sided (Corner/Left/Right)

Ideal for an edge-of-wall installation where the fire wraps around one corner

A 2-sided electric fire is like the understated friend who always looks good without trying too hard. It’s designed to wrap neatly around a single corner, making it perfect for media walls that end at a natural boundary.

If your room layout lacks a long, uninterrupted wall, a 2-sided fire tends to slide right into place. Picture it tucked at the end of a wall between the lounge and dining area — a soft, glowing transition point rather than a big statement piece demanding centre stage.

It’s a practical choice for homes where every inch of wall space counts.

Creating a defined end-point for the media wall feature

One of the clever perks of a 2-sided setup is how naturally it creates a “full stop” in a room.

Instead of a media wall floating awkwardly or ending suddenly, the fire provides a warm, visual cue that the feature is complete. Designers often use this to frame open-plan spaces or create a subtle boundary between zones without blocking the flow of the room.

If you’ve ever walked into a house where the media wall feels like it’s trying to continue into the kitchen, you'll appreciate how helpful that defined end-point can be.

3-Sided (Panoramic View)

Ideal for a central, floating installation or a window-like effect

A 3-sided electric fire is the showstopper of the fireplace world. It doesn’t just sit in the room — it performs.

This style suits media walls that are more architectural than practical. Think floating platforms, false chimney breasts, or partitions that act like glowing windows between spaces.

A 3-sided design offers a wraparound flame effect that transforms even a plain wall into an immersive centrepiece. It works particularly well when the media wall stands out intentionally rather than blending in.

Providing the maximum visible flame area (Snippet 14.1)

If your goal is pure visual impact, nothing beats the panoramic style of a 3-sided fire.

Because the flames are visible from three angles, you get the widest and most dramatic view possible. Whether you’re sitting on the sofa, prepping dinner, or walking through the hallway, the fire quietly follows you like a warm, flickering companion.

It’s the closest you’ll get to a luxury showroom without leaving home.

Installation and Framing Differences

Framing Complexity

3-sided requires a slightly more complex framing box to support the structure

While 2-sided fires are fairly straightforward to frame, a 3-sided unit needs a bit more structural attention.

The framing box must be built to house three exposed glass panels, which means additional reinforcement and precise alignment. It’s not the sort of job where you can “wing it” with leftover timber from the shed.

A professional installer will usually create a more intricate carcass to ensure the fire sits securely and performs as intended.

Ensuring the glass panels are fully accessible for cleaning

Multi-sided fires also need easier access for cleaning. More glass means more fingerprints, dust, and tiny smudges you only notice the moment guests arrive.

A properly designed frame ensures each panel can be reached without taking half your media wall apart. Many homeowners don’t think about this until the first cleaning day arrives — and that’s not the best moment for surprises.

Aesthetics

3-sided is generally considered more impactful and immersive

There’s no getting around it: a 3-sided fire simply feels more luxurious.

The wraparound view makes the flames look deeper and more alive. It creates movement in the room, especially in open-plan layouts where you can see the fire from multiple angles.

Meanwhile, a 2-sided fire leans toward clean, elegant, and understated. It’s not lesser — just different. More like a tasteful accent than a statement necklace.

Flame Realism and Cost

Enhancing 3D Realism

The wide, multi-angle view of a 3-sided unit makes the flame effect appear deeper

Flame realism has come a long way, and with LED layering, holographic flame beds, and clever smoke-mirror effects, electric fires are now surprisingly convincing.

A 3-sided unit offers the best depth illusion because the flames aren’t confined to a single viewing panel. They seem to “float” inside the chamber, much like a real firebox.

If you’re chasing that lifelike ambience in the evenings — the sort that makes you instinctively reach for a blanket — the 3-sided design is your best bet.

Price Point

3-sided units are typically the most expensive electric fire category

With extra glass, additional engineering, and more complex installation, it’s no surprise that 3-sided fires sit at the premium end of the price chart.

You’re paying for the panoramic experience, the enhanced design options, and the wow factor.

A 2-sided fire, by comparison, is more budget-friendly while still offering a contemporary look. Many homeowners choose it because it strikes the sweet spot between cost, style, and practicality.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between a 2-sided and 3-sided electric fire is really about understanding how you want your media wall to feel in your home.

A 2-sided fire works brilliantly if you want subtle elegance, a clean end-point, or a compact design that doesn’t dominate the room. It’s ideal for smaller spaces, corner features, and budget-conscious projects.

A 3-sided fire, on the other hand, is for those who want instant visual drama. It’s immersive, panoramic, and unforgettable — perfect for open-plan living spaces or homes where the media wall is intended to be the centrepiece.

Either way, you’re not just choosing a heater. You’re choosing the mood, the flow, and the story your room tells the moment someone walks through the door.

And if your TV is still sitting a little too high over your Electric Fire Suite — well, now’s a great time to fix it.

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