No one is denying that a cozy night beside the fireplace sounds appealing, but once you're done cutting and splitting the wood, lugging it inside, fighting with the matches to get it lit and then incessantly fanning and stoking it to keep it going, the charm starts to wear off...
With a gas fireplace (installed by one of our heating experts) you get the calming and warming effect of real flames, without backaches and a buckets full of ash.
If you weren't convinced about how amazing and warm gas fireplaces could look, I bet you are now!
Ignore the red flag, there's nothing dodgy about this incredible modern gas fireplace. The black background helps the flickering flames to stand out. And when there's no fire, the recess can act as a regular display shelf.
Long narrow gas fireplaces can look super elegant and streamline when set in stone and surrounded by contemporary furniture like this. Cozy night in with one of those books? Yes please.
But a gas fireplace can even pull off the traditional look. Surround are wood-look fireplace with traditional moulding and a mantle and no-one will know the difference!
But if you are going to have a gas fireplace, there's no need to be ashamed. Don't hide your clean and efficient fireplace with wood-look fillers, celebrate it with a stone look.
You can even put your gas fireplace outside for a great outdoor entertainment option. Serve with red wine for a romantic night for two.
Even a shiny stainless steel gas fireplace can looks sleek and sexy outside.
And they come in all shapes and sizes. This space efficient model will look realistic and charming in any space - no-matter how small.
Gas fireplaces even come in stylish corner options.
Or unusual round varieties.
Bet you'd never considered putting a gas fireplace next to your bath. It doesn't get more luxurious than this.
You can even get fire pit style gas fireplaces. Now you can win outdoor entertaining with this hassle free fire pit.
Incorporate your gas fireplace into a modern wall unit. You can combine storage and heating with this nifty design. It also looks striking contrasted against the french provincial style moldings - classic combination of modern and traditional styling.
Bring the bedroom into the bathroom by incorporating a double sided gas fireplace. The same idea could work in any space - dining and living, indoor and outdoor, the options are endless.
Don't be afraid to mix a modern gas fireplace with a traditional surround and mantle. The effect of this traditional vs. contemporary style is striking and unexpected.
Or you could just go with a super modern hanging fireplace like this one.
If you're lucky enough to have an indoor swimming pool, don't forget to top it off with a full length gas fireplace...
Don't be deceived by the timber storage underneath this portable gas fireplace - it's all for looks! This is actually a clean-burning gas fireplace!
Once you've done away with the need for wood, you can get very creative with your gas fireplace as this stylish fireplace sculpture demonstrates. The decorative brickwork in the back of this fireplace helps with the stylish effect. There's also a great contrast between the traditional surround and the unashamedly modern sculpture.
Natural stone, see through fireplace, rustic timber stool and modern chair makes this an outdoor space to die for.
Books and open flames are not usually good companions. With gas fireplaces, the unpredictability of an open fireplace is minimized so at last our two favorite things can be combined.
Sold? Need to get your hands on a gas fireplace ASAP? One of our heating experts can help you!
Brodie Norris runs Lunchbox Architect, which features one innovative architect designed home each weekday.