When the mercury drops and you start spending more time indoors, why not make the most of your space with an indoor fireplace? We can’t think of a better way to add warmth and ambiance to your living room or even a bedroom than with a crackling fire and a few extra blankets. And your favorite show to binge, of course.
No matter what your living situation looks like, there are myriad fireplaces out there nowadays designed to correspond with a variety of lifestyles. Add in the fact that fireplaces offer warmth during colder nights, they promote relaxation and they can potentially increase the value of your home, and the real question is, why don’t you have one already?
Types of Indoor Fireplaces
There are three main types of indoor fireplaces: wood-burning, gas and electric. Adding a wood-burning fireplace to your home (complete with a chimney) may feel rustic and homey, but it is also a lot of work and money. And while there’s something to be said about sitting around a traditional fire, they’re also extra effort to light and keep going, which doesn’t make them the most practical addition to your home and busy lifestyle.
If you like the idea of a more traditional fire but you’re not a fan of piling up extra wood logs to burn throughout the year, a gas fireplace may be the next best thing. These days they come with vents (for those with a chimney) and without, so you can create an authentic vibe with less work. They also tend to be more heat efficient, but you’ll need to run a gas line in order to hook one up. It’s also worth noting that ventless gas fireplaces run the risk of carbon monoxide, and require a professional inspection at least once a year to ensure that it’s still functional and safe.
Then there are electric fireplaces, which may not omit the most realistic flames of the bunch, but they are certainly the easiest to achieve. These indoor fireplaces are easy to install because you can essentially put them anywhere — no gas line or chimney required. In many cases, you just plug them in and go. There are also a ton of options, designs and styles, making them the most versatile and budget-friendly choice of the bunch.
There are also bioethanol fireplaces, which are fireplaces made of bioethanol fuel (a renewable and inexpensive form of non-consumable alcohol). These units only emit small amounts of carbon dioxide and are generally considered safer alternatives to many traditional fireplace units. You can grab one that lights manually or automatically.
How to Pick an Indoor Fireplace for Your Space
Fireplaces are pretty to look at, but aesthetics aren’t the only thing to consider when picking the perfect indoor fireplace for your space. You should also think about your fireplace’s function, and whether you’re installing one as an additional source of heat. If you do want extra heat in your home, know that the fireplace will mainly only heat the room in which it’s placed. Plus, you may want to look at additional features like whether it has temperature control or a self-regulating function.
Meanwhile, if you’re purchasing a fireplace insert to complement your existing structure, you should also look into trim designs to further suit your décor. And speaking of inserts, if that’s the route you’ve chosen, remember to measure the length, height and depth of your existing structure before breaking open your wallet.
Even if you’re not purchasing an insert, it’s always important to measure your space before buying. Measure both the width and length of your room, then add those numbers together. That number is how many feet wide your fireplace should ideally be.
1. Walker Edison Fireplace TV Stand
BEST OVERALL
If you’re going for a modern farmhouse look in a smaller space and you could also benefit from a boost of extra storage, consider this well-reviewed electric unit from Amazon. More than 75% of 13,000-plus users give it a five-star rating, citing its sturdy quality, easy-to-assemble parts and overall functionality as huge selling points. We love that it comes in a variety of finishes and easily accommodates up to 150 pounds on the top surface, making this a stylish and functional unit.
Buy: Walker Edison Georgetown Modern Farmhouse Double Barn Door Fireplace TV Stand $346.29 (orig. $399.00) 13% OFF
2. Napoleon Entice Series Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace
BEST WALL FIREPLACE
This hanging electric fireplace is 60 inches long and five inches deep and comes with the capability to heat rooms of up to 400 square feet. It’s easy to set up (just hang it and plug it in), plus it features a frameless finish to easily fit with your existing décor. Meanwhile, the accompanying controls are also easy to use, plus you can customize the flame colors and overall brightness to suit your current mood.
Buy: Napoleon Entice Series Wall Hanging Electric Fireplace $1,369.00
3. Colsen Tabletop Fireplace
BEST PORTABLE
This portable, ethanol-based fireplace is the perfect solution for those who want the ambiance of a fireplace but don’t necessarily have the space to install a wall unit. Take it room-to-room to create that instant flicker whenever you desire or use it as the centerpiece during your next dinner party. Each flame lasts for about 40-50 minutes depending on the temperature and climate, and we love that this unit easily transitions from your indoor to outdoor space come the summer.
Buy: Colsen Tabletop Fireplace $74.99 (orig. $85.00) 12% OFF
4. Craddock Electric Fireplace
BEST FOR SMALL SPACES
Whether you have a cottage, a bedroom or a foyer that you want to light up with an electric fireplace, this unit from Wayfair adds comfort and warmth without taking up too much space. The 18-inch model features a cottage-like design that works in modern and rustic spaces alike, and you can choose between the fire-crystal media or realistic log set to create your own perfect vibe. It also heats up to 400 square feet of space at a time, making it a functional and stylish unit for those with tight spaces on a budget.
Buy: Craddock Electric Fireplace $239.99
5. Duluth Forge Dual Fuel Ventless Gas Fireplace
BEST VINTAGE GAS
Add warmth and ambiance to your living room or bedroom with this stylish vintage gas unit that does not require a chimney to be its best, lighted self. The unit heats up to 1,500 square feet of space so it’s ideal for larger rooms, plus it runs on either natural gas or liquid propane. It comes with a remote control and an automatic shut-off for that extra peace of mind, while the dual moldings give it even more design appeal.
Buy: Duluth Forge Dual Fuel Ventless Gas Fireplace $1088.69
6. TURBRO Suburbs TS25 Electric Fireplace Infrared Heater
BEST INFRARED HEATER
If you’re in the market for a vintage stove fireplace model that emits some seriously modern heat, this electric model is sure to fire things up. It comes with plenty of coveted features like a customizable timer, a remote control and three brightness levels so that you can always control the heat and ambiance. It also turns on easily with the flip of a switch, and it comes with a sensor that automatically shuts the unit off if it gets too hot, giving you that extra heat and peace of mind.
Buy: TURBRO Suburbs TS25 Electric Fireplace Infrared Heater $229.99
7. Troy Electric Fireplace
BEST BRICK FACADE
Get the look of a traditional fireplace with none of the hassle with this brick unit, which even comes with a mantle. It’s safe around kids thanks to the cool-touch feature and is one of the easiest on this list to set up thanks to the fact that it comes fully assembled: just plug it in and go. The flame works without heat so you can enjoy the ambiance even on the steamiest of summer days, plus it comes with an adjustable thermostat and remote control so you can quickly heat the room up when the temperature starts to drop.
Buy: Troy Electric Fireplace $679.99
8. Terrence Electric Fireplace
BEST FARMHOUSE LOOK
Feeling those current farmhouse vibes? Inject them into your own space with this shiplap-inspired unit, which is both stylish and functional. Light up the electrical flames and enjoy ambiance year-round with the heat-free function, or put on the flame effect for the look of a gently rolling fire. This unit also comes with an interchangeable fire glass media or realistic log set (complete with ember bed), letting you fully customize the look depending on the season, occasion or your mood. We do wish that it came with a remote control, but in terms of stylish budget picks this one warms up our souls.
Buy: Terrence Electric Fireplace $440.00
9. Empire Tahoe Deluxe Direct-Vent NG Millivolt Fireplace
BEST DIRECT-VENTED GAS
This versatile, direct-vented fireplace insert works well in most homes with a chimney since it can be installed vertically or horizontally, making the most of your space. You also have the option of using outdoor air to create combustion (rather than sucking the air out of your room), allowing heat to stay in the room on colder days. Speaking of heat, this unit gives off up to 20,000 BTUs via the natural gas supply, which heats up the room nicely even if the unit itself does become a bit hot to the touch.
Buy: Empire Tahoe Deluxe Direct-Vent NG Millivolt Fireplace $1,469.99
10. Peterson Real Fyre Split Oak Log Set With Vent-free Natural Gas
BEST LOG SET
If you have a traditional fireplace set up that you’d prefer to light up with logs instead of an entire insert, these gas logs recreate the natural look of wood with none of the mess or upkeep that comes with a traditional fire. They’re reinforced with steel rods to preserve the structural integrity, and hand-painted to create the most authentic look. We also love that the unit comes with a handheld remote control, which means you can create instant ambiance without ever leaving the couch.
Buy: Peterson Real Fyre Split Oak Log Set With Vent-free Natural Gas $1,103.40
Keep the Fire Roaring With the Best Fireplace Tools
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