Accessorizing a Fireplace

Tips

• Think about how often you plan on using your fireplace. The accessories you choose could vary, depending on whether you are interested in the occasional fire after dinner or season-long lasting warmth in the living room. Gas logs are perfect for rooms where you expect less frequent use.
• Pull out the measuring tape and jot down the dimensions of the opening of your fireplace and the hearth in front. A quick ten seconds will help you and your specialty retailer estimate the cost and proper size of whatever you may choose.
• Check out who manufactured your fireplace, and what is the model number is. This is helpful information, as some fireplaces have precise requirements when it comes to certain accessories. Your options can sometimes be exclusive to your specific fireplace model.
• Keep in mind the uniqueness of your home. Does your home’s interior design reflect a single style, or do you follow a more eclectic path? The answers to these questions will help you decide which styles are a perfect fit for you.
• Take note of the predominant colors or textures within the room. The colors of your walls, tones of your furniture, texture and hues of your door handles and hinges, and the color palette of your lamps and fixtures all have an accessory to match. Choosing an accessory for your fireplace, whether it complements or offsets the existing colors and textures, is just as (more) fun as choosing a painting or an occasional table.
• Most fireplace and hearth accessories can be installed as a do-it-yourself project while glass door sets or mantels can require custom fitting due to the wide variation in fireplace sizes. A specialty retailer can arrange for professional installation, and will generally come to see your fireplace before an order is placed. A specialty retailer can also ensure that the accessories you choose are approved for use with your fireplace as some fireplaces have specific requirements related to operation.