In the cold winter months, nothing beats coming home and getting a fire going in the fireplace and then relaxing with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or even wine.
Watching the flames can make you feel peaceful and calm, and the warmth may even make you want to doze off and take a nap.
If you don’t have a fireplace, here are the best reasons to get one as soon as possible.
1. Fireplaces help sell homes faster
If you decide to put your home on the market, it will sell faster with a fireplace, especially if you’re located in an area that gets snow and ice in the winter.
Many home buyers will pay more for a house with a fireplace or wood stove already installed because it’s easier than doing it themselves.
If you have a nice stonework hearth or mantel, you could end up with some bidding wars between potential buyers.
However, if you don’t have a mantel and installing a traditional one is too much work, consider getting a mantel shelf instead.
These are shelves that sit above your fireplace and may or may not have legs, depending on the style you get.
Although they’re simple, a mantel shelf can really add a touch of elegance to your entire fireplace design, especially if your fireplace is inset into the wall and already has a sleek look. Not all fireplace designs are suited for a full, fancy mantel.
2. A roaring fire makes a great distraction from storms
Some people find strong storms a little scary, and they can induce anxiety pretty quickly.
If you or anyone in your household suffers from storm anxiety, a fireplace can provide a nice distraction from the sound of wind, heavy rain, and thunder.
Many people say watching a fire burn is meditative, and it makes sense because watching flames flicker can put you into a peaceful trance where the world around you disappears.
It won’t necessarily be the perfect distraction for everyone, but it can help a lot.
3. Dogs and cats love lying by the fire
If it gets cold in your house, your pets will abandon their favorite spaces and rush over to lie down in front of the fire.
Some pets can get a little too close, and cats are notorious for lying behind wood stoves, but as long as you have a barrier to keep them from getting too close to the fire, they should be totally safe.
4. You can cook food in a power outage
The one thing most people forget about having a fireplace is that it makes it possible to cook food in a power outage.
The same is true for having a wood stove, especially if there’s a stovetop included. However, you can just as easily cook in your fireplace with the right equipment.
Obviously you can’t use your nonstick pans, but if you have cast iron skillets, pots, and a way to set them up over the fire and safely remove them, you could cook just about anything from sandwiches to steak.
Worst case scenario, you can get some skewers and roast hot dogs over the open flames.
5. Lower heating costs
With the right kind of fireplace and a generous hearth, you can save some serious cash on your energy bills during the cold months.
However, since firewood tends to rise in price every year, it’s important to have a strategy for obtaining your wood.
Green wood is almost always cheaper than seasoned wood, and you’ll pay less when you pick it up yourself.
- Buy firewood during the summer when it’s cheaper.
- Buy green cords of wood and let them season properly in your yard.
- Rotate your seasoned and green wood so you always have enough on hand.
- Pick up your wood rather than have it delivered.
- Buy mostly fir because it’s cheaper, but mix in some hardwoods, like maple and oak.
Provided you source your wood affordably, building a fire can keep your home toasty warm all winter without forcing you to pay incredibly high electric bills.
Just don’t wait until winter hits to get wood because you’ll pay a premium.
Make your home feel cozier with a fireplace
Whether you live alone, with your partner, roommates, or family, having a fireplace in your home will make everyone feel cozier during the cold, winter months.