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You can add a fireplace to any wall of any house, but while most fireplaces are on exterior walls, that’s not necessarily ideal. A better option: Place one in the middle of the house where you get a bigger bang for your buck, because the flue stays warmer and less heat seeps out (hello, energy efficiency!). 

As for cost, a stock-produced fireplace can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000 and up. The labor adds another expense: a mason runs about $1,200 a day. But here’s the good news: According to research, a fireplace will give you a great return on your investment should you move, because they're always a sweet selling point for buyers.

Nestpert Jim Buckley, owner of Buckley Rumford Fireplaces in Port Townsend, Washington

-- Amy Spencer

See More: Renovating , Decor Tricks , Home Repairs