It's a good idea to add a fireplace to an existing home or to a new home that you are building. A fireplace in the family room is becoming standard in new homes, so if you are considering remodeling a family room now is a good time to add a fireplace.

Your first step is to decide where in the room the fireplace will go so you know what size fireplace to purchase or build. Fireplaces pre-built in factories come in a range of sizes and designs. Also, the size of the fireplace is often determined by what kind of fuel it consumes.

Other tips on how to design a fireplace include considering the common types of fireplaces and the pros and cons of each type:

Gas: Many people like the convenience of a gas furnace. However, gas furnaces don't create the same smells and sounds of a wood burning fireplace.

Gas Direct Vent: These fireplaces are vented directly to the outside through a hole in the wall and do not need a chimney. They are also easy to place where you want them.

Vent-free gas fireplaces: These fireplaces have lost favor as they can be a potential source of carbon monoxide. Asthmatics also have trouble with these fireplaces.

Wood burning fireplaces: There's nothing like the glow, smell, and sound of a real fire. However, wood fires don't maintain a consistent heat and need a lot of maintenance.

Pellet fireplaces: These fireplaces are generally more expensive than wood-burning fireplaces to install. However, they do allow extended burn times and fuel that can be purchased in most hardware stores.

Electric fireplaces: Electric fireplaces are easy to plug in and generate some heat but they are not realistic looking.

Wood-burning stoves: These fireplaces are sealed and operate without taking in room air. They often are very efficient but do require some maintenance (i.e. you have to get and store the wood). These fireplaces are sold with a BTU rating which makes it easy to consider fuel efficiency.