Top YouTube Videos on Decorating Your Fireplace

Fireplaces are well known for the comfort, warmth, and relaxation that they bring to a home. They serve as the center around which a family can gather, a common space aside from the ever-present television. Fireplaces can also double as display spaces: mantels are commonly home to pictures of loved ones and often serve as canvases for holiday decorations. Here are a few YouTube videos that show some ways to get creative with fireplace decoration.

1. How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel for Fall

With summer winding down and fall just around the corner, the time for a change in decoration is coming. This video contains some helpful tips on decorating the fireplace for autumn.

• Use natural elements that give the feeling of the fall season: pumpkins, gourds, warm colors, and berries.
• Use candles for extra color and added ambience.
• Antique books create visual interest, an aged feel, and a nice aesthetic. They can also be used to add height.

There are other videos to keep your fireplace looking great year-round: winter, spring, and summer.

2. How to Decorate an Unused Fireplace

A lot of homes have fireplaces, but not everyone makes full use of them. If you don’t regularly hold fires, you can still make your fireplace a focal point:

• Use your empty fireplace as a display case.
• Use wood, river rocks, and dried flowers for a natural, rustic look.
• Use candles and a mirror to mimic the ambience of a fireplace fire.
• Fireplaces work as a great frame for plants, boxes, and books.

3. Decorate Your Mantel

This video has some general tips for decorating mantels, particularly the best ways to use a mirror as part of an attractive display.

• Make sure that the mirror isn’t reflecting anything unsightly or distracting.
• Add other elements to balance the display.
• Use plants to bridge the gaps between objects.

With these techniques, you can make your fireplace a unique and attractive focal point and comfortable gathering space in your home, even when a fire isn’t burning.

Author Bio:

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Easy Solutions to Bring Back the Zing to an Unused Fireplace

Breathe new life to your unused fireplace and make it a functional and visual masterpiece with these quick and cheap solutions.

During cold winter months, nothing feels better than the warmth coming from a fireplace. But, what good would a fireplace be during warm summer days? Or perhaps, how do you make use of a fireplace that is not operable? These are some problems that many homeowners have to deal with. And if you happen to be one of them, you are probably looking at your unused fireplace as though it is a major mistake.

However, do not let the soot-stained interior of your fireplace make it into an eyesore. Your fireplace, though unused, can actually be made to look a visual masterpiece and the focal point of the space. Likewise, you can assign a new purpose to it so as to make it functional again. Here are some quick and inexpensive solutions you can do to bring the zing back to your unused fireplace.

Turn it into a display case

An unused fireplace makes for a great place for you to show off your collection of decorative item such as candles and vases. However, rather than using the mantel to hold the accents, consider arranging them in the opening of your fireplace. Simply gather the items together and arrange them accordingly. A variety of shapes and heights are what will make an arrangement interesting. If your collection lacks variety, especially in terms of height, use a dark-colored stool to elevate some of the items, then spread out other pieces in the opening with the smaller ones filling in the nooks.

Use it as a book shelf or storage space

If you are voracious reader, your unused fireplace provides you the opportunity to remodel it into a books shelf. Of course, before you proceed making your “fireplace library,” clean it well so that dirt and soot will not get into the pages of your books. Once cleaned, integrate two or three layers of shelves into the fireplace opening then stack up your books on each shelf.

If you are not too keen about the idea of piling your books into your unused fireplace, then you can outfit the shelves you made with baskets and use them as storage solutions for other items for easier access.

Creatively cover it up

Instead of leaving your fireplace like a black hole on the wall, cover it up in a creative way. You can board up the hole of your firebox with a decorative tin cover to give it a vintage charm. Or, if your fireplace is just taking a break from its warming duties, cover it temporarily with a folding screen or a curtain.

Another great creative way to conceal the dark interior of your firebox is to put a large piece of canvas print, painting or mirror in front of it. For a more personal touch, have your favorite photo blown up and printed on a canvas, then use it to cover your fireplace opening and turn such unused feature into a focal point.

These are just some of the many things you can do to make your non-working fireplace functional again without necessarily replacing or removing it. With little investment of money, time, energy and creativity, it is possible for you to enjoy your fireplace even without the fire and warmth it emits.

The article above was contributed by one of the writers of Steel Building Design <http://www.steelbuildingsdesign.co.uk/>, one of the leading companies in the UK that designs, supplies and erects bespoke steel framed buildings.

May I also suggest a new: Fireplace Glass Door or a Brick Paint Kit ?

Fireplace and Home Fire Safety

Article by USFA Fireplace and Hearth 

More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.

Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...Fire Stops With You!

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.
• Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

• Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
• Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
• Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
• Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

PLEASE VISIT THE USFA FOR MORE FIREPLACE SAFETY
Also Check out these great Fireplace Glass Doors - Safety for your Fireplace

Good, Better, Best - Fireplace Glass Doors

The subject of this week is still Fireplace Glass Doors. Here is an easy way to see that your door, even if it's not on this list, can be measured and constructed for that perfect fit! Make a decision now while it's summer, before the cold season sets in. Here is the link to the rebate offer:

CLICK HERE: Fireplace Glass Doors Rebate Offer

Prefab – Factory Built – Zero Clearance Fireplace Glass Doors

If you have a Prefab Fireplace (also referred to as a Zero Clearance Fireplace), we can make your fireplace glass doors based on this model number found inside the firebox of your fireplace or by the measurements of your firebox.

An exact replacement is a SAFE replacement, and all of our fireplace glass doors are built to UL testing standards.

Installation is incredibly easy – if you can use a screwdriver and cordless drill, you can install your fireplace doors. If you run into any problems - we’re here to help you with your installation. Just give us a call: 1-800-897-7175

Heatilator Fireplace Doors

Fireplace Glass Doors - Get Ready for Cooler Days Now!

Yes, I know it's still summer and I know that the last thing you are probably thinking about is a warm and cozy fireplace to snuggle up next too. I promise you I am not crazy, I am telling you now is the time to get the best prices before those cooler months set in. We all know that most fireplace retailers base their pricing off of the season. So, instead of waiting for the last minute to have a beautiful, safe and price efficient fireplace door, check out the amazing selections on all makes and models now.


Here are just a few that I think are not only beautiful, but cost efficient for just about every budget. DIY'ers everywhere should run and not walk to remodel and transform their old fireplace. Some of you may have that ugly mesh screen that doesn't keep the logs from rolling right out onto your floor. Then there are some folks that may not think they could even have a fireplace glass door at all because you may have a Masonry Fireplace. Your in luck because not only can you get a fireplace place to fit your fireplace, but it's so easy you can actually install it yourself. Listed below are a few of the things you can consider for your fireplace.

Here are my suggestions:

Masonry Fireplace Doors

Heatilator Fireplace Glass Doors

Fireplace Door Replacement Glass