A fireplace is the natural focal point of a room and, on a winter evening, its heart. Making it cozy is partly about the fire itself and partly about everything around it.
Seating around the hearth
Place the sofa facing the fireplace and chairs on either side, close enough to feel the warmth but at a safe distance. A rug in front softens the area (choose wool, which is more fire-resistant than synthetics, and keep it outside the hearth). If the TV competes for attention, see how to create a focal point in a room.
Style the mantel
- Lean or hang one large piece above it: a mirror or a painting.
- Add objects of different heights: candlesticks, a vase with branches, a few books, a plant.
- Keep it uncluttered. Odd numbers and asymmetric groups look relaxed.
- Change it with the seasons: greenery in winter, flowers in spring.
Keep anything flammable away from the opening, and check how hot the mantel gets before putting candles or decorations there.
Wood, gas or electric?
- Wood: the crackle and smell people love, but it requires work and maintenance. Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood; wet wood smokes and builds creosote. The EPA’s Burn Wise program explains how to burn cleaner. Open fireplaces lose a lot of heat up the chimney; an EPA-certified insert is much more efficient.
- Gas: instant flame at the touch of a button, cleaner and low maintenance. Needs annual service.
- Electric: no venting needed, so it can go almost anywhere, including apartments. Modern models look convincing and give some heat.
- Decorative: a non-working fireplace can hold candles, logs or plants.
Safety first
- Have wood-burning chimneys inspected every year and swept as needed, as fire safety organizations such as the NFPA recommend.
- Use a sturdy screen or glass doors.
- Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire.
- Install smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide alarm, and test them monthly. See the home maintenance routine.
- Dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside and away from the house.
Build the atmosphere
Warm, dim lighting from lamps rather than a ceiling light, soft throws on the sofa, a basket of logs (if you burn wood), and a few candles make the room glow. In summer, a candle display or plants in the firebox keep the focal point alive.
The fireplace is the center of a broader approach, explained in how to create a cozy and inviting living room.
