Inglenook

This modern fireplace has an inglenook on either side incorporating seating.

From the medieval period onwards, the fireplace took pride of place in houses and farmhouses and was typically a large-scale affair. An inglenook (derr. Gaelic ‘aingael’ – fire or light, and Old English ‘ingle’ – fireplace) was a recessed hearth area (or chimney corner) adjoining a fireplace.

Bigger fireplaces would have recesses large enough for storing food (particularly to keep salt dry, as well as cooking implements, etc) and/or they could house seating. The natural warmth of the spot became a favoured place to cook and to sit and gather; it was therefore a precursor to the modern kitchen.

When kitchens eventually became separate rooms, inglenooks began to be incorporated into living spaces as cosy, warm places to sit.

In addition to their appearance in traditional building, inglenooks enjoyed a brief renaissance during the Arts and Crafts movement but declined following the introduction of central heating.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

Retrieved from "https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Inglenook"

Create an article

Chimney definition.

Domestic building.

Fireplace recess.

Flue throat.

Fluepipe.

Hearth.

Household.

Mantel.

Types of dwelling.

IHBC NewsBlog

Latest IHBC Issue of Context features Roofing

Articles range from slate to pitched roofs, and carbon impact to solar generation to roofscapes.

Three reasons not to demolish Edinburgh’s Argyle House

Should 'Edinburgh's ugliest building' be saved?

IHBC’s 2025 Parliamentary Briefing...from Crafts in Crisis to Rubbish Retrofit

IHBC launches research-led ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation’

How RDSAP 10.2 impacts EPC assessments in traditional buildings

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) tell us how energy efficient our buildings are, but the way these certificates are generated has changed.

700-year-old church tower suspended 45ft

The London church is part of a 'never seen before feat of engineering'.

The historic Old War Office (OWO) has undergone a remarkable transformation

The Grade II* listed neo-Baroque landmark in central London is an example of adaptive reuse in architecture, where heritage meets modern sophistication.

West Midlands Heritage Careers Fair 2025