Just What Are Fireplace Screens Meant To Hide?

During the warmer months, your fireplace can look like a gaping hole that leads to nowhere. It's not just unattractive, but it spoils the overall look of your room when you may otherwise have spruced up your décor to suit the cheery, breezy feel of spring and summer. Fireplace screens are just what you need to liven up that dormant spot in the room that springs to life when snow falls and everyone starts craving eggnog. As well as being a decorative touch, fireplace screens keep fireplaces tidy and prevent them from becoming a hiding place for items such as shoes, toys and magazines.

There are so many accessories that can be purchased for fireplaces, some that are entirely practical, others that serve a dual purpose and are useful as well as contributing to the interior décor of the home. For example, large wicker baskets that hold kindling or gorgeous, sturdier log baskets made of brass, steel or wrought iron are necessary items. There's no reason why they can't be aesthetically appealing too. Fireplace screens can be made or decorated by artisans and clients can choose custom colors, patterns or special styles to suit their tastes.

Of the more popular styles of fireplace screens currently available, the wrought iron look is in huge demand because it can have a rustic appearance or be made to look very contemporary. A highly stylised screen can feature intricate floral designs, scrolls and swirls, while others are simplistic and geometric. They often incorporate basket weave mesh, which helps to avoid hazardous sparks from landing beyond the hearth. Screens can be single panel or include up to five panels that may be positioned for maximum protection or exposure from the radiant heat. Some even include doors that open to allow access to stoke the fire or add more wood.

What’s important when choosing fireplace screens is that the size is appropriate. It’s no use having one that’s too small because it will seem insignificant when placed in front of the open black space. If it’s too big, it will overwhelm the fireplace. Take measurements with you when shopping so that you can buy, or have customized the style that you want in the size that you need.

If you’re buying fireplace screens for your patio heaters, they may also need to be weatherproof. They’ll need to withstand rain and strong sunshine – even in winter – and you don’t want them to rust so be sure that the materials you choose are suitable.

Regardless of whether your fire is wood burning or runs on propane, fireplace screens are equally useful. In a family situation where there are little children around, the screen permits that extra buffer zone between curious hands and the hot surfaces. Even when not in use, inquisitive toddlers love to peek up inside a chimney to see what’s there and a heavy screen can be perfect to discourage them.

It’s such a pleasure to own a fireplace and it’s wonderful to have that extra feature in a well-loved room that can be dressed up or dressed down according to the season or your mood at the time. Fireplace screens are items that can be interchanged whenever you like, just like cushions or throws, even if they are perhaps more expensive. Keep an eye out at yard sales or on ebay for cheapies that will come in handy for when you just want a change. Many families, however, keep theirs in the family for generations and they actually become somewhat of an heirloom.