The step serves no function, right? In theory there could be no step there? So, if there's no reason (functionally) for a step, then the issue is just aesthetics? If it's just the looks of a step you can have another depth or eliminate it entirely, if you wish? If eliminated some framing and additional carpentry work would be needed. If that stone sample is going to be on the step I don't even know why there would be a step present? Do you have a blueprint with the idea of the step with wall & fireplace?

I would call this a “hearth.” I have a nice, wide, fanny-depth hearth, ideally suited for sitting up next to a nice warm fire.

I think it’s just personal preference. Do you intend to sit there? Display items there?

You do not need the step with an electric FP so take it out

Hi Jennifer! Though electric fireplaces typically don’t have one, we love the look of the hearth with it. 🥰 We just want to make sure it’s proportional

We do want a hearth there because we like the look of it and want to display items on it, like decorations.

I think you need to take a better picture from farther back. Also if you’re not sure, you can lay something there to mimic the hearth coming farther out to see if you like it. Mine is 12” deep and looks proportional to me however probably only 5-6’ wide, so it’s hard to gauge yours without a better picture. It also depends on the size of your room. My room is small and I wish there was no hearth, seems to eat up the space to me.

My fireplace is 8" tall, 10' wide, my hearth is 11" high and 18" deep.

Recommended hearth sizes for non-electric fireplaces are

Basic Hearth Dimensions

To keep fire, ashes and embers a safe distance from the floor in front of a fireplace that has an opening 6 square feet or smaller, the hearth should extend at least 16 inches in front of the fireplace opening. The hearth also needs to extend 8 inches to each side of the opening. The thickness of the hearth should be a minimum of 4 inches.

Larger Fireplace Recommendations

Fireplaces with openings larger than 6 square feet demand larger hearths. The front of the hearth needs to extend to a minimum of 20 inches, and the side areas need to extend to 12 inches. The recommended thickness for larger fireplace hearths remains the same.

I had a step or ledge in front of a fireplace in a previous home. I made sure not to have one in my current home. First, because as JuneKnow mentioned, it is intrusive into the living space, making the room feel smaller even if the room is quite spacious. Second because even if the step is deep enough to sit at, no one does because it is too hot to be right next to the fireplace, and also, even without a fire, and deep enough and with pillows, it is not comfortable to sit on that kind of step for any length of time. Third, there is the temptation to put tchotchkes on those fireplace steps (fake lanterns, owl figurines, odd vases that would never actually hold flowers, Word Art, long feathers, etc.), please resist! I'd remove it and have the sleek appearance of the hearth and floor all on one plane.

Our hearth with an electric/gas fireplace, for what it's worth. We went for contemporary look. Hearth if framed in wood inside, 1/4 inch metal welded at corners. Then finished by an auto-body person to get smooth. Hearth is for sitting and warming one'

s back, or whatever...

I am so glad that not everyone owns the same home and likes the same decor. Some enjoy minimalist design and some enjoy classic Victorian design.

My sister's Tudor home with heavy wood beams and stonework, built ins and heavily carved antique wood furnishings would look pretty silly with a sleek fireplace with no hearth.

I happen to love my hearth. I do sit on it even without a cover when I come in from walking my dog or working outside. The 'tchotchke' I have displayed

- the resin deer I bought while shopping with my best friend just a few months before she died,

- the hand carved rhino that my niece bought for me when she traveled to Africa and

- the things that belonged to my mother (Iittala Cast Iron Pot, the Dansk teak serving trays, and the ceramic jar she bought when we traveled as a family to North Carolina)

all bring me great joy and I love giving them a place of honor to be displayed in my home.

Not every belonging needs to add functionality, some are just there to bring you joy.

I absolutely love ALL of that Jennifer!! ❤️ Exactly right - who cares if it doesn’t ”need” to be there... I love the look of it and that’s what matters. 🥰 We also had the carpenter extend it to 16” and it looks MUCH more proportional!

Hearth depth is truly subject to room size, personal preference and intended use. For Gas or electric a shallower depth should be fine if that's what you want. What do you intend to use the hearth as, if its for a true wood burning fireplace, maybe 20 inches, as mentioned above is proper for safety.

We have a rectangular box home (its just a plane jane midwest rectangle) with what came to be an overpowering ton of brick hearth and surround. I tore it out and couldn't be happier.

The single stone hearth is 14 inches deep and 75 inches wide, the fireplace is 51 inches wide and 47 inches tall. Its terribly giant.

Make what you think you would like out of card board boxes and set it up and see what it feels like to you.