Space Saving Fireplaces
For Your Home Renovation
home remodeling articles and tips
topic: home fireplace
When it comes to home renovation, maximizing your space is key. No matter how much space you are working with, you want the end result to be something that is both comfortable and functional - not to mention stylish! In order to make your space work best for you, it's important that you accentuate your space with furniture and accent pieces that not only complement the overall aesthetic of your home but also make the most of what space you have.
For example, adding a space saving gel fuel or electric fireplace is one way to both provide a room with a supplemental heat source as well as potentially giving you more storage space to work with. If you don't want to go through the trouble of installing an expensive wood burning fireplace, an electric fireplace is a great option for you. Easy to operate (just plug it in!) and maintain, many styles of electric fireplaces have features that are ideal for maximizing your space, all the while providing your room with an attractive (and warming) accent piece. While electric fireplaces do consume a decent amount of electricity, in the long run they are a lot easier to maintain than traditional wood burning fireplaces. Most turn on with the flip of a switch and create absolutely no mess. As far as heat output, most models produce enough to warm an entire room.
Gel fuel fireplaces are just as portable as electric fireplaces, but they save you money in the form of gel fuel! Many gel fuel fireplaces run on inexpensive cans of gel fuel and require no vents and no electricity. Clean burning, environmentally friendly and odorless, gel fuel fireplaces also come in a variety of space-saving styles. The one downside is a gel fuel can typically burns for just 2.5 - 3 hours and the heat output isn't enough to heat a very large space. Mainly used as decorative accents, gel fuel fireplaces might not be the best option if you are looking to provide both style and warmth.
Both electric and gel fireplaces are usually designed to look just like a traditional wood burning fireplace, so aesthetically speaking, you should have no trouble finding one that suits the overall decor of your home. Where you put your electric fireplace is up to you, though make sure you have strategically placed and grounded outlets. If your home does already have a traditional fireplace installed, you can increase your home's energy efficiency by installing an electric or gel fuel fireplace insert over the existing fireplace. With models available for under $500, this is a great cost-saving option for heating your space.
Below I will highlight the various styles of space saving electric fireplaces you can consider for your next home renovation project.
Corner Fireplaces:
A corner fireplace is a great option if you are looking for something to accentuate a smaller room. Draw focus away from the size by installing a classy corner fireplace and decorate the mantel shelf as you would a traditional fireplace mantel shelf - with photos, sculptures, etc. Available in many styles and finishes, corner fireplaces are a great space-saving solution for you. The Pillar Corner Gel Fuel Fireplace by Real Flame is a great example. Made of solid pine wood and available in multiple finishes, the Pillar Corner fireplace crackles just like a real fireplace and provides 3,000 BTU's of heat out put per hour - perfect for a small room.
TV Entertainment Fireplaces:
TV Entertainment fireplaces combine a stylish fireplace with a functional TV and multimedia stand! You can watch TV and listen to music while staying warm and creating a beautiful focal point in your media room, den or living room. Classic Flame's Pasadena Fireplace and TV Stand is a great example. With ample storage space for media accessories and equipment, this unit is particularly simple to install. The Pasadena comes with a fan which will produce 4,500 BTU's of heat output per hour, good for an average size room. Like many electric fireplaces, the Pasadena features a realistic-looking flame effect that can be used either with or without the heat turned on.
Bookcase Fireplaces:
A bookcase fireplace is exactly what it sounds like - a combination bookcase and electric fireplace! Great for a dining room, living room, library or office - bookcase fireplaces give you extra storage and provide a room with heat. The Ovation Heritage Oak Bookcase Fireplace by Dimplex features a beautiful hardwood exterior with a built in thermostat and remote control. Extremely energy efficient, this unit also contributes to a healthier indoor breathing environment with it's Purifire air filtering system. Purifire removed mold, pollen, dander, dust and other allergens from the air in whatever room it's installed in.
Island Fireplace:
The addition of an island fireplace is perfect for any sort of indoor gathering space you might have in your home. Install one in your living room and surround it with a lovely sectional sofa. A stylish island fireplace is sure to be a conversation starter! The GVF40 Island Vent Free Gas Fireplace from Napoleon is a great example. While it is gas (rather than electric or gel fuel) it's extremely eco-friendly, energy efficient and very effective as heat source (30,000 BTUs per hour). Open on all 4 sides, you provide everyone gathered around it with sufficient warmth. This unit includes a remote control and features a 100% safety shut off feature and oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) which will shut off the gas if carbon monoxide levels should get too high.
Peninsula Fireplaces:
A peninsula fireplace like the GVF40 from Napoleon is great for a bar or even a kitchen! Added on to the end of counter, you not only get more counter space, but you add a stylish heat source! A peninsula fireplace provides heat from three sides and this one even features a remote controlled natural gas valve with built-in adjustable flame and heat control! With a heat output of about 30,000 BTUs per hour, this is the ultimate warming accessory for your stylish new space. You can opt for clean burning natural gas or a propane-burning model.
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