Get Cozy with These Tips for a Safe and Stylish Fireplace

Dec 19, 2024 Life in Your New Home

Is there anything as comforting as curling up with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire?

It’s sweater weather, and that means it’s time to turn the fire on! But before you do, be sure your fireplace is ready for the season ahead. The only way to make it more comforting is peace of mind that you have properly maintained your fireplace to make it as safe as possible.

Wayne Homes’ gas fireplace expert Ross Petersen with Hearth & Home shared his checklist to get your gas fireplace cozy-weather ready. Here are some tips to follow before lighting your first fire:

Clean the inside of the firebox. Remove any dirt or dust from inside the firebox or logs using a soft paint brush or vacuum.
Inspect the inside of the firebox. While your fireplace is disassembled, inspect it for signs of rust, flaking, or soot, and check the pilot.
Clean the outside of the firebox. Using a vacuum and soft cloth, clean the base and valve cavity area (being careful not to dislodge wiring) to remove dust. This will help reduce odors in the fall during the first fire.
Reassemble the fireplace. Put the glass back on the fireplace, turn the gas valve back on and reinstall the front. As fireplaces produce high temperatures, ensure furniture and other combustible materials are kept a safe distance away from the appliance.
Check the outside vent. Check the vent to ensure it is free of nests, leaves, grass clippings or other debris. (Note: your fireplace vent can be on the side of your home or on the roof.)
Check burner ignition. When you turn on the fireplace, the burner should light smoothly and without delay. If the burner does not light smoothly, consult your dealer.

Got a wood-burning fireplace? Daryl Saunders with All Construction Services provided us with some great hearth tips for wood-burning fireplaces:

Check the spark screens to be sure they are fully operational.
Clean the hearth thoroughly.
Check the damper to be sure it operates correctly.
Use a good seasoned hardwood.
If in doubt, get your fireplace professionally inspected.

Once your fireplace is in perfect working order, you can spruce it up a bit. If safety is first, then style comes in a very close second.

Here are some fun tips on how to decorate your fireplace:

Layer mirrors or favorite artwork. You don’t have to have one large mirror or piece of art. Why not try layering a few for impact?
Up the cozy factor. A fireplace practically begs for a cozy rug nearby. Don’t deny it! Try layering a sheepskin or warm throw blanket on chairs to encourage comfy fireside conversations.
Frame your fireplace with shelves. Reading a book by the fire sounds ideal, right? Then why not add some shelves close by so you can have reading material at your fingertips.
Make your TV a work of art. Set your TV screensaver as something seasonal or simply stunning to make it a work of art when you’re not watching.
Plants, pictures and pops of color! When in doubt, add a plant, picture, or a pop of color to your mantle for fireplace perfection.

For even more fireplace inspiration, check out our Flickr album. It’s chock-full of visual inspo you can save or print out. We hope you snuggle up safely this season, and be sure to tag us on Instagram, so we can see your cozy fireplaces and mantels as well!.

For more information

Have you been dreaming of a new home with a cozy fireplace? We’d love to discuss your vision! Contact us, and we can start a plan for your new home.

About Wayne Homes

Wayne Homes is a custom homebuilder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer more than 50 fully customizable floorplans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie by Live Chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.