There is probably nothing more romantic than a fireplace in the bedroom. Flickering light, soothing flames and the crackle of burning wood creates a cozy atmosphere. Add some soft music, some wine, and an inviting bed – your room will absolutely radiate romantic ambiance.
Electric fireplaces used to be cheap, plastic chunks of ugly, but not anymore. Now they use hologram flames that are so realistic you can almost touch them. They are quiet but some of them now come with recordings of wood burning and crackling so you can get that same effect – or close to it. A variety of sizes, prices, and styles from Victorian to modern allow you to choose one that exactly fits your needs as well as your décor.
For example, some fireplaces are designed to hold televisions and store DVDs and games. Others are wall mounted. These literally hang on your wall, adding that charm without cramping your floor space.
If you like an Edwardian look you’ll love the holographic, coal burning fireplaces. Prefer modern styling? Materials like chrome, mirrors, and glass will make your room pop. Some models even allow you to synchronize the flames to your music!
Another benefit is the heating aspect. The fireplace I bought for my bedroom allows you to set it on one of two heat settings, various fan speeds, and even a setting where it only has the dancing flames and no heat at all – great for romantic ambiance in August.
The outputs can be as much as 5,000 BTUs which will easily heat a bedroom or living room. You won’t cause your electric bill to sky rocket, either. Holographic fireplaces use the same energy as a light bulb or two.
Be sure to read the descriptions carefully, especially the information about size. Although I love my bedroom fireplace I was expecting it to be larger than it is. It is a good idea to buy a roll of the brown paper used for mailing packages. Mark the size out on the paper and tack it up where you plan on putting the fireplace. This will help you get a good idea of the size of the fireplace and the impact it will have on the rest of your room.
Choose a wall where the hologram fireplace will be the focal point. If it is in your bedroom, make sure that you put it where you can enjoy it while you are lying in bed. Try to get one that fits the scale of your room. If it is too big it will look awkward and if it is too small it will get lost among the rest of your furnishings.
Set up is simple. Just remove it from the box it is packed in and plug it in.
During the fall and winter you’ll find the fireplaces at most home improvement stores as well as big box stores like Costco and Sam’s. They are available all year long on the Internet – and choosing one from eBay can save you enough money to buy a really good bottle of wine.
photo credit: Patrick Denker
