The nights are really starting to get chilly around here; perfect for cuddling up on the couch with a good book and a glass of wine while listening to the crackling of a fire. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace.
One of the biggest compromises I made when we bought our home was to forgo the fireplace that was on my wish list. Everything else about it was perfect, so I thought, well, I can live without that luxury. There are many stormy winter nights when I have regretted making that decision, but thankfully, there are other ways to get a cozy fire going without investing in major construction.
Electric fireplaces are super easy to install – just hang them on the wall and plug them in. It really couldn’t be any easier. They obviously don’t smell like a real fire, nor do they crackle, but they add a wonderful and cozy visual touch, and many are so stylish they double as wall decor. And they have the advantage of being totally safe, quick to start, and you don’t have to sit up late waiting for the fire to burn out before you can go to bed.
Here are some recent finds:
Traditional
We’re starting out with a pretty traditional wall mounted electric fireplace called Napoleon. Sleek and stylish, this one also provides heat. It’s 7″ deep and comes with a remote that lets you control both the intensity of the flames and the heat.
Photo: efireplacestore
Colorful & Funky
The Fantasy-Glo fireplaces from Stirling also come with a heat function, and they use LEDs, which means they’re very energy-efficient. They are available in several different finishes, and you can control the height, intensity and color of the flames, as well as the heat. They come decorated with Himalayan rock salt, but you can remove the glass and add anything you want (shells, rocks, etc.) AND there is even a sound feature which when turned on makes the “flames” dance to the sounds they detect!
Photo: Stirling
Euro-Chic
The sleek Uppingham from Burley almost looks like an art piece from a distance. It uses moving ribbons for flames and has with stones and shells in front of the “fire”. This one also has a heating feature and is 6.5″ deep.
Photo: Burley
Inset
The Corello from British Flamerite Fires comes in three different colors and you can choose whether to inset it or mount it on the wall. It comes in two different widths in a stone or coal design.
Photo: Flamerite Fires
For more fireplaces, see my Fireplace mantels post.
