The Pros Of Costco's Highly-Rated Fireplace (& Hot Tips To Add It To Your Home)

Want the rustic feeling of sitting by the fire without any of the work of chopping wood and actually building said fire? Costco has a great solution: a plug-in electric fireplace that turns on with a simple remote. The Ledgestone electric fireplace is a fan-favorite for its easy installation, trendy look, and low price tag. You can easily add it to your home by getting a membership if you don't have one, and decorating it according to your design preferences.

The fireplace has wooden trims that come in black, blue, white, and gray, and the unit slides seamlessly into your living room. It's like an entertainment console but with faux flames. Each fireplace is surrounded by faux stone bricks that complement the wooden trim for an added aesthetic benefit, as well as red faux brick inside the fire area. Plus, and it's only $749.99 (shipping included) and available online with a Costco membership. 

One hidden downside of a fake fireplace is that this does not function as a source of heat, but does add some warmth — as well as the traditional fireplace feelings to level up your living area. That means you can run the Ledgestone year-round without overheating. However, it's also important to note that you should avoid placing flammable things near the fireplace, as you would with a space heater. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. 

The Ledgestone model has been one of the top-rated out of all of Costco's fireplaces, and clocks in at 4.6 out of 5 stars with around 700 reviews. One fan-favorite quality is the fireplace's authentic look. "Absolutely LOVE this fireplace. It is gorgeous! Looks real and is absolutely beautiful," one Costco reviewer wrote. Customers also like that it was easy to assemble. Another buyer on the website said, "This fireplace has great quality and very easy to put together. It came in [two] boxes and I put it together in about an hour, and I am no craftsman." The average homeowner spends $1,000 on a fake fireplace, and that range goes up to $2,200, so the Ledgestone's cost is another big benefit. 

As for the "cons," some buyers didn't like the fireplace's smell, saying that a chemical burning scent was noticeable even after a few initial rounds of turning the unit on and off. The reviews are also mixed in terms of the fireplace's heat output, with some customers reporting that it's a great secondary source of heat and others saying that the heat was too low for their liking. 

Just about everything at Costco requires a membership, other than the beloved food court. You can purchase one of two types of personal Costco memberships: the Gold Star Membership for $60 per year or the Executive Membership for $120 per year. This membership will also grant you access to things like screened-in backyard patios and a trash can people are going crazy for, which could help be helpful for anyone looking to redecorate their home or yard. Once you have a membership, you'll need to order the Ledgestone electric fireplace online, since it isn't available in stores. 

Once you've got the Ledgestone, make it the focal point of your living room by styling it the way you would with a traditional fireplace. Position it against a wall and make sure it's not near water and there's nothing in the way of the vents. Make sure there's 3 feet of space between the fireplace and other furniture, and avoid placing things on the surface as it's sure to get hot. You can mount photographs or a television above the fireplace, but experts recommend leaving 12 inches of space between the fireplace and TV just to be safe.