Have a Hearth! Valentine’s Day Decor for your Mantel
If you plan to spend Valentine’s Day with your valentine in front of a relaxing fire, then you know how special it can be. You can make your night more festive by adorning your hearth’s mantel with Valentine’s Day decorations. While the window to celebrate Valentine’s Day is narrow, it’s well worth the effort to see your significant other’s face when they see your display. With that in mind, we have a few Valentine’s Day decorating tips to prepare your mantle.
Decorations to Complement the Colors of Your Room
Let’s start by examining the colors in the room where your fireplace is situated. Standard Valentine’s Day hues like reds, pinks, and whites are a foolproof way to decorate your mantle. If the room’s color scheme is neutral, add a touch of the aforementioned colors with accents rather than redesigning everything. If you are looking for a subtle touch, light pink or coral flowers and golden or silver candleholders can create the perfect Valentine’s Day feel without overwhelming the room.
Don’t Break the Bank on Valentine’s Day Decorations
As we mentioned, Valentine’s Day doesn’t last an entire season like Christmas and Halloween. There is no need to overspend on decorating your fireplace’s mantle. Valentine’s Day decorations can often be found at places like discount big-box stores or local arts and crafts outlets. One inexpensive way to decorate your mantle is with a Valentine’s Day Tree. Spray-painting a fallen branch and hanging homemade paper ornaments is a cost-friendly way to decorate your mantle. Thrift stores or eBay have budget-friendly vintage Valentine’s Day decorations that will bring a smile to anyone who sees them.
Preparing Your Fireplace for Valentine’s Day
Having your chimney swept doesn’t have to be done only before family gatherings. You should have it cleaned and inspected annually (more if you use it frequently). If your chimney isn’t swept at least once a year, a substance called creosote will build up on its interior. Creosote is a tacky, easily ignitable residue that will blanket the interior of your chimney. Over time, the creosote will thicken and, eventually, spark a chimney fire. Using an experienced, professional chimney sweep service can eliminate chimney fires.
Think Safety
Don’t decorate with materials or decorations that could dangle over the mantel and into a lit fire. Avoid decorations that can easily catch fire, such as paper streamers or cardboard cutouts. When you have a Valentine’s Day tree on your mantle, ensure it is far enough away from the flames so it is not a fire hazard. Place a fire extinguisher close by so you won’t need to worry about embers being ejected from the fire and setting carpet, curtains, or furniture ablaze. Placing a screen in front of your fireplace is a great way to keep embers from escaping and prevent children and pets from getting burned.
Don’t use painted or treated wood in your fireplace; it can emit dangerous, toxic fumes. To be safe, use wood like oak or hickory in your fireplace; not only will they burn better and longer, but they won’t poison you.
Be sure to place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors about fifteen feet away from your fireplace so that you and your loved ones are safe from dangerous fumes or a house fire.
The Chimney Guys Will Have Your Chimney Ready for Valentine’s Day and the Rest of the Year
To ensure your fireplace is swept, creosote-free, and operating at optimal levels, contact us today. One of our knowledgeable staff members will gladly discuss sending a team of our trained, experienced chimney technicians to your home. Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day to discover there is an issue in your fireplace; get in touch now!
