Small Spaces by Christine Brun

I am reminded of a recent home improvement ad in my local newspaper that proclaimed, "Improve, don't move!" Exactly right. These days, a good percentage of Americans, wherever they live, are simply focused on keeping their home, not necessarily planning remodels. But this time of year, as days begin to shorten and temperatures crisp, we humans sense an invigorating change. Nights become longer and nature puts on a luscious display if you live in New England, Appalachia, the Smokey Mountains or the mighty Rockies. This year, there is reason to think out of the box when it comes to warming up the inside of your home before really cold weather arrives.

If you happen to find yourself replacing the floor of your bathroom for another reason, consider the idea of a heated floor. This concept is more affordable than it sounds, and it sounds perfectly luxurious! Consult companies that specialize in thin matting designed to be installed under tile or hardwood floors. Both SunTouch and NuHeat are manufacturers of electric radiant floor systems. Such systems come with programmable thermostats so you only heat an area when you use it, saving on the forced air being turned on for the entire house. By controlling the temperature in only certain areas, energy consumption is reduced, as you only heat the area you use.

Electric floor heating often is preferred for bathrooms and kitchens, the two spaces typically used early in the morning and during the night, but it can be effectively used throughout a home. SunTouch also has a product that you can install without removing existing flooring. Called SunTouch UnderFloor, the matting is sized to perfectly install in between joist bays. It is stapled 2 inches below the subfloor and, once connected, will warm the floors above 15 degrees under wood flooring and between 6 degrees and 10 degrees F under carpet. Those with severe allergies might favor radiant heat because there is no dust produced in the process.

Since not all change means growth, another popular heat source for those staying put in their smaller home is a freestanding fireplace. From long-established styles to sleek contemporary, there are fireplaces that require direct venting and burn either natural gas or liquid propane.

This type of installation requires venting and the Paloma, made by Heat & Glo, is an excellent example. Only 18.875 inches wide by 15.875 inches deep by 40.75 inches high, this unit will work in the most restricted urban pad, provided you have a way to vent it. Because this firebox is raised up off the floor, Paloma is perfect for viewing from bed-level.

If your home is Cape Cod style or a Craftsman bungalow, look at the Two Harbors direct vent gas fireplace made by Kozy Heat. Numerous wrought-iron doors are featured in stand-alone units that can be inserted into a wall at any height. A corner unit requires about 36 inches clear across for a successful fit. The fireplace unit by itself is only 19.5 inches wide by 33 inches high. If you visit www.kozyheat.com you will be treated to a peek at inventive wood cabinets that feature the fireplace above and a mini wine storage below, or the fireplace below and bookshelves above for display. This is a wonderful pre-made product for those with a softer style.

For situations where venting is impossible, consider a fireplace that burns Sunjel denatured ethanol gel as the fuel source. You will find wall-hung options, as well as freestanding, corner units and two-sided models that burn ethanol. Check out EcoSmart Retro fireplace, inspired by the 1960s, as an example of a mobile fireplace that can work as a room divider or be placed against a wall. EcoSmart sells their burner units separately and this allows for an unlimited number of custom uses. For instance, the stainless steel XL Burner is an elongated 5.34 inches high by 35.75 inches long by 7.6 inches deep. The Burner One is a small square shape at 4.4 inches high by 11.42 inches long by 11.42 inches deep.

And for those who simply want to hang a fireplace on the wall, there are units that give you the "fire effect" by using an LED light source that allows you to control color and speed of flame. There is a 5,000 BTU heater built into these all electric fireplaces.

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Small Space Living." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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