Dunelm heater is 'ideal for warming up rooms on chilly evenings' without any heating

As temperatures drop and the evenings start drawing in, many of us might be tempted to reach for the thermostat. But if you're not quite ready to switch the heating on just yet, a little electric stove could be just the thing. Kind of like a space heater, these mini stoves are a fuss-free way to warm up a specific area-no chimney, no installation, no hassle. They're perfect for instant heat at the flick of a switch and give any room a lovely, cosy vibe (without cranking up the central heating).

One that's recently caught my eye this autumn is the Dunelm traditional small stove, which is just £80. Compact and easy to move around (it measures just 54cm x 25cm x 28.5cm), it claims to warm small to medium room, and I think the design adds a charming bit of cottage-core character.

Despite its small size, shoppers have been impressed with how much heat it gives off. One happy customer said: "It's neat, attractive, and it's ideal for warming up the room on a chilly evening when the central heating is off. Value for money definitely."

Shaped like a traditional stove, complete with a flame-effect behind the window, it uses simple dials to control both the light and heat, while an electric fan circulates the warmth. I especially love the sage green finish which adds a lovely pop of colour without being too bold.

Another reviewer agreed, saying: "Good colour. Works well and gives a cosy feel to room." That said, in the reviews one shopper said the colour is a little darker in person than in the pictures. They said: "The colour of this fire is on the darker side of all the customer images. I didn't really know what to expect as some reviewer photos made the green look much lighter than it is. I'm very happy it's the darker green I wanted."

It plugs into a standard socket and has a 1.4m length cable, so all you need to do it plug it in and it's ready to use. The flame-effect display is purely decorative but gives the illusion of a glowing fire, making it ideal for anyone who wants the look of a log burner without the hassle.

The heater includes a thermostat control and thermal cut-off feature, which stops it from overheating, and the adjustable flame brightness means you can tone down the glow for a more subtle look.

However, one user warned that you may need to buy a heat proof mat to stand it on. They explained: "Attractive and effective electric heater. Not clear from item description that you need something heat proof to stand it on like a tile or stone rather than being able to put it on a wooden or carpet floor directly."

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