As effective as fan heaters can be at warming up a room on a cold winter’s evening, rarely do they make attractive additions to stylish abodes. Consider instead, then, the freestanding and fully mobile fireplace.

EcoSmart, a market leader in the technology, has created a designer range of eco-friendly ethanol burners, available with either enclosed or open-air flames.

The Tower fireplace is one of the most striking and elegant choices and was apparently inspired by the padella romana lighting feature used at the entrances of wealthy estates in ancient Rome. Created by Italian designers Celeste Dell-Anna and Simona Righi, its black, powder-coated steel plinth and glass fireguard takes its height to 1.4 metres and it can be used outdoors or in.

For something better suited to more colourful and quirky interiors, the Retro comes in a multitude of hues and is the perfect heating accessory to place between your favourite lava lamp and that much-loved neon light sculpture. Resembling a cross between a microwave and an old iMac, it’s unashamedly kitsch yet intensely practical.

Both are available at www.ecosmartfire.com.