A fireplace is the best way to keep warm on chilly evenings. On top of heating your home, it does a magnificent job of making any room more beautiful and setting the mood for a little romance. The real thing might cost you an arm and a leg, though, but you can settle for electric fireplaces which look like the genuine article and work the same way.

Electric fireplaces come in an array of shapes and sizes, and most are designed to physically and aesthetically fit any room in today's homes. There are several features that make these elegant hearths endearing, including the fact that they don't require chimneys to function and that virtually anyone can install them. Sounds like an interesting homegrown project.

Of course, what is a fireplace, electric or otherwise, without appropriate fireplace mantel surrounds - a great way to customize the look of electric fireplaces. Most wooden mantel kits come with shelves on which you can place various design elements like figurines or photographs. Some even have small drawers or cabinets, extra storage space for stuff you may want to keep handy but out of sight.

Stone fireplace surrounds give an electric fireplace the look and feel of a wood or gas burning hearth. If your home is made up of stone or similar materials, it is highly recommended you purchase a stone surround, which come in either gypsum or marble, among others. Customization isn't a problem as most stone mantels are shipped with smooth white finish that can be painted over.

What sets electric fireplaces apart from conventional hearths is the fact that the heat and light they generate can easily be regulated. Some units even have remote control units so you can adjust the temperature and brightness of the blaze from afar. Not content with the position of the fireplace in the room? Not a problem since it's portable. Just remember that it needs to be plugged in an outlet to run.

Electric fireplaces are not difficult to care for, thanks to their environment-friendly nature. These hearths don't give off smoke or soot, making cleaning them a piece of cake. All you need is a moist fabric to wipe down all external surfaces. Actually, the only thing you need to worry about is changing the bulbs at least every other month.

Are you planning to refurbish your home in time for the cold months? The first thing you should look at is the possibility of installing a fireplace to keep the place warm. It is recommended you get electric fireplaces instead of conventional hearths for one very good reason: the former is more environment-friendly than the latter. If appearances matter, outfit them with fireplace mantel surrounds, such as stone fireplace surrounds, to give them the appeal of authentic fireplaces.