When we began converting our dining room into a home office, winter was already on our minds. Living on the West Coast means those seasonal winds can make a room feel bitterly cold in a hurry, and our dining-turned-office was especially vulnerable. Thin walls, minimal insulation and single-pane, drafty windows combined to keep the space from ever feeling truly warm and comfortable. An electric fireplace seemed like an ideal solution.
We laughed at the suggestion right away—an electric fireplace wasn’t in the budget. The practical plan was to drag the portable electric heater down from our bedroom once I started shivering while working. But fate had other ideas.
During a morning walk to the coffee shop on a crisp September day, we noticed it was garbage day in the neighborhood. Trash and recycling bins lined driveways, and next to several of the cans stood something unexpected: discarded furniture. I’d heard about “curbside finds,” but I had never actually seen them in person. Seeing those first couple of easy chairs on the curb made my heart skip a beat.
We kept walking, pointing out pieces and imagining the possibilities, and then, rounding a corner, we almost couldn’t believe our eyes. Tucked behind a stop sign, sitting like a little miracle, was an electric fireplace—left out on the curb for collection.
We felt a mix of excitement and embarrassment as we loaded it into the van. At the time we didn’t even know if it still worked, but the price—free—was hard to argue with. Back at home, we plugged it in with crossed fingers. To our surprise and delight, it came to life instantly: the faux flames glowed and the heater kicked on. It was one of those small domestic victories that feels like pure luck.
That little fireplace now sits by the desk and makes the room immediately cozier. The glow adds ambiance while the gentle heat keeps my toes warm as I work, and it’s become an unexpectedly important part of the office environment. It’s impressive how a simple electric fireplace can transform a chilly, utilitarian space into something inviting and comfortable.
Of course, a curbside find isn’t perfect—superior insulation and draft-proofing would still be the ideal fixes for the long term. But for now, this practical and unexpected solution has dramatically improved the room’s comfort without the cost of a full renovation. It’s a reminder that creative, low-cost approaches—combined with a little luck—can make a big difference.
We’re not stopping here. That fireplace is getting a makeover to help it blend seamlessly with the office decor. I’m pulling out paint and planning a small update that will refresh its look and better match the room’s aesthetic. It’s the next step in our ongoing series of small home projects, and I’m excited to share the transformation as part of the 31 Days project.
If you’ve ever hesitated to try curbside hunting or to repurpose a secondhand find, this has been our gentle nudge: keep an eye out on collection days, use your imagination, and don’t underestimate how even a single functional piece—like an electric fireplace—can change a room. Stay tuned for the makeover photos and the next installment of this series, where we’ll paint and style the fireplace so it feels right at home in our dining room-turned-office.