If you’re planning on traveling for vacation, you’ve probably looked at a bunch of different places for rent, between Craigslist, Airbnb, and official rental companies. It can take a bit to find something that meets your needs.
While it’s important to get a place with amenities like a refrigerator, stove, and maybe even a pool, it’s also ideal to have a fireplace, and here’s why.
- A fireplace makes a home cozy
It’s fun snuggling up to a fire at night while sitting in an armchair or lying on the couch. If coziness is what you’re after, then a fireplace will definitely do the job. If you have pets, they’ll want to curl up in front of the fire, too.
If you happen to own your vacation home and don’t have a fireplace yet, consider getting one. They’re not that expensive and are relatively easy to have installed professionally.
For ideas, check out this fireplace buyer’s guide from eFireplace Store. There are so many different fireplace styles, you’re bound to find something you like. For example, you can choose the fuel source (gas, electricity, split wood) and you can get a decorative hearth or choose a plain design.
- You can toast marshmallows inside
Provided everyone does it safely, you can toast marshmallows inside when you have a fireplace. All you need for this fun adventure is a metal skewer, a bag of marshmallows, and some determination to get at least one perfectly toasted marshmallow.
You can take it one step further and make s’mores inside, too. It might sound strange to do this indoors, but sometimes you might not have a choice. For example, if it’s raining outside or you don’t want to be out in the freezing cold for long, an indoor marshmallow toasting session will be perfect.
- A fireplace looks great
There’s something alluring about having a fireplace in your home, even if you’re just on vacation. They add to the overall ambiance and make a place look more high-class.
Wouldn’t you like to wake up in the morning and head over to the kitchen, pass by the living room, and see a beautiful fireplace? You can even sit in front of the hearth while you sip your morning coffee, with or without a fire.
- The warmth from a fireplace feels great
One of the best benefits of having a fireplace in your vacation home is that the warmth feels good. That’s because fire produces infrared heat, which penetrates your body and makes you feel toasty warm inside. It also can be a mood booster, especially on a rainy day.
Although fireplaces don’t make good heaters, that can work to your benefit. Since a fireplace won’t heat up your home like central heat or a wood stove, you can enjoy a fire in warmer temperatures. You may not want to have a fire during the day in the summer, but at night, when it starts to cool, a fire might be just what you need to relax into the night.
- Reading next to a fire is awesome
Reading a book next to a fireplace feels great. It makes you feel comfortable, like you’ve settled in for the night into a cozy, safe space where the only reality is whatever the characters in your book are doing.
It’s equally satisfying to write by the fire. If you’re into writing with a pen and paper, or prefer your laptop, this is an excellent environment to get some work done while enjoying your time.
- A fireplace will make your house smell great
The aroma of burning wood in a fireplace smells incredibly welcoming. Depending on the wood you burn, you can make your home smell even better. For instance, pine and fir have a wonderful scent because of their terpenes, and red oak also has an inviting odor. These all happen to be excellent choices to burn as well.
- You can cook in a fireplace
As long as it’s not gas, you can cook in your fireplace on the open flames, which might add some excitement to your vacation. Granted, you will need to be safe about it. It’s easy to use a skewer or a Dutch oven to cook some food, provided you have enough space.
Get a spot with a fireplace for your next vacation
Regardless of the time of year, when your next vacation time rolls around, go for a spot with a fireplace. You’ll have more fun and it will contribute to a better ambiance for you and anyone you bring along.
