Kiva fireplaces make a great addition to any room and especially to living/sitting rooms. These fireplaces can be made to look very artistic and they are meant for those people who are not afraid to try something of the beaten track. These are unconventional looking fireplaces that can add great beauty to wherever you put it.

The name Kiva is actually derived from the traditional meeting places of the Pueblo Indians of the southwest. These meeting places used to be underground and there the males would hold their rituals, casual gatherings would happen and political meetings were also held in the Kiva. The shape of the fireplace is actually similar to the pit-shaped houses of the descendants of the Pueblo Indians.

The Kiva is also called the Beehive fireplace because the shape of the fireplace is like an inverted cone that tapers off step by step towards the top. The shape is thus a very unconventional shape and while it is very beautiful to look at, it takes a bold and adventurous house owner to decide to use one.

The shape of the Kiva is actually very efficient in smoke dissipation and heat radiation. The broader base helps the heat to radiate better towards the base of the fireplace, which is where the heat is needed the most. And the narrow top helps the fumes to go out without disturbing those who are around the Kiva.

This shape makes the Kiva a beautiful choice for both indoor and outdoor activities. Even outdoors, the Kiva fireplace works as efficiently as it would indoors. It would make a great addition to any backyard or front lawn. It would be great to gather round this great piece of architecture and just bask in the comfortable warmth as it radiates from the Kiva.

Traditionally, Kiva fireplaces where built of the same material as the houses - Adobe bricks. Adobe bricks are sun-dried made out of clay and are very useful in making well-insulated houses. But now that most houses are made of concrete, the adobe bricks need to be brought in especially to make a Kiva fireplace the way it is meant to be made. The adobe bricks actually help the Kiva fireplaces to be as practical and as useful as possible.

Adobe bricks are actually great at absorbing and radiating heat. So when the Kiva is made out of them, they make for the perfect fireplaces.

For indoor use, a Kiva fireplace is usually built into a corner of the room, with the top going outside through the roof above or the wall. You can extend the comfort of the fireplace by having benches made on one or both sides. These will make for great places to unwind on after a long day out.

For those who like displaying knickknacks and pictures, it is possible to build little niches and shelves in to the exterior of the fireplace for storing these items. Once you have chosen to have a Kiva fireplace made, your room will suddenly be that much better and avant-garde.