While people are reviving their social lives, many are doing so by hosting cozy nights at home rather than frequent nights out on the town. This has become such a popular trend that The Spruce is calling 2023 “the year of the dinner party.” It looks like people have rediscovered the joy of spending time in their homes, even as many employers are making work-at-home options more permanent. Of course, when you spend so much time at home, it’s only natural to want to make those spaces as comfortable as possible. And what could be more inviting than a warm and cozy fireplace?

According to Bob Vila Magazine, a fireplace not only adds value to a home but might also be a strong selling point (in some cases, you can recoup all or even more of the installation costs). A fireplace is not only aesthetically pleasing but can also add energy efficiency to your home. For those living in cold regions, it can even be lifesaving if the power goes out for a lengthy period.

Last year’s trend toward minimalistic and vintage style continues. Many homeowners want their furnishings and décor to blend and create a single holistic experience. One popular trend is using a single color family to match the fireplace walls, flooring, and furnishings. Other customers are seeking stone hearths and vintage styles, as well as larger fireplaces often paired with heavier touches like wooden and metal accents.

Fireplace inserts have long been an option to increase efficiency. The current trend in inserts is sleek and modern, and glass inserts are growing in popularity. Also popular now is the three-sided insert, which offers easy maintenance in a sturdy (and therefore safe) design. Customers are also asking for home fireplaces sporting large flames, like the ones they’ve seen in hotels and restaurants.

RB’s point of sale and inventory management features make it easy to help customers find the system they want and identify potential add-ons they may need, both now and in the future. In addition, the software’s CRM and marketing tools help you stay connected with your customers and encourage repeat business. For example, collecting emails for loyalty programs and offering digital receipts lets you contact them with new products and sales.

Fireplace Trends 2023: Convenience and Practicality

A fireplace in the living room is nice, but today’s homeowners want more. Customers are asking for bedroom fireplaces and two-, three- or even four-sided fireplaces that can serve as open yet attractive room dividers. The added benefit is that they provide warmth to two rooms at once. Homeowners also see value in convertible fireplaces that can go from gas to wood and back in as little as thirty minutes per change.

Rising costs have homeowners thinking more about what’s practical. For example, not every home has space for a traditional fireplace or wood stove, so manufacturers have gotten creative. Customers appreciate innovative designs such as fireplaces integrated into standard pieces of furniture such as side tables or TV stands or even hung on the wall alongside televisions.

What do all of these fireplaces have in common? They need regular service. RB’s service and scheduling optimization features make accessing each customer’s service history and scheduling appointments easy. The software also keeps track of inventory, so your techs know what parts are available and can immediately alert customers of any delays caused by supply shortages.

Each year, technology becomes more firmly entrenched in our everyday lives. There is no longer a need to search for a remote. Instead, customers can simply turn their fireplace on or off using their smartphone or internet-enabled voice device. Customers expect the same kind of convenience during the buying process. Software that includes mobile technology will help you serve your customers faster and easier.

RB’s Mobile Live for Retail

Mobile Live helps sales representatives assist customers with on-the-spot purchasing decisions based on inventory and past customer purchases. Your staff can display available products and complete the sale with a mobile device. With RB’s software, you can email receipts directly to your customers so they can store them on their home computer alongside other important records.

Mobile Live Service

RB’s service and scheduling feature allows technicians in the field to provide real-time updates to customers, other techs, or the home office. In addition, the “send text message” option allows you to send text alerts to customers, offering a value-added convenience to customers who will appreciate a shorter window of time they need to be available for service calls.

RB Chimney and Hearth Software Solutions

Since customers are home more, they are using their fireplaces more. This means they’ll want to ensure their systems are safe and efficient and will look to you for answers. The right chimney and hearth software can help streamline your operations and better meet your customers’ needs. Schedule a demo with RB today to put your business on the cutting edge of the latest chimney and hearth industry trends.