There is no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than with that special someone in front of a crackling fire, and adding decorations to your mantle can make it more festive. While the lead-up to Valentine’s Day is short, adding décor to your hearth will be on display for everyone to enjoy. Here are some Valentine’s Day decorating ideas for your mantle.

Safety First

Make sure you don’t use any decorations that hang down from the mantle or are next to an open flame. Don’t use any flammable decorations. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, so you and your valentine won’t have to worry about stray embers catching a rug or piece of furniture on fire.

Make sure you don’t burn anything but logs in your fireplace. If you use treated or painted wood for your Valentine’s Day fire, you could fill the room with toxic fumes that can cause illness or prove fatal. 

Always make sure that you have a carbon monoxide and smoke detector in the room year-round so that you and your family are safe from harmful fumes.

Choose the Right Colors for the Room

Let’s begin by looking at the colors in the room where your fireplace is located. Traditional Valentine’s Day colors like reds, pinks, and whites are a great way to decorate, but you don’t need to make them the focal point of the room. If the room is more neutral, try adding a few touches of these colors with accents instead of changing everything. For example, a few blush-pink flowers or rose-gold candleholders can bring in the holiday feel while still coordinating with the room.

Don’t Break the Bank

Since Valentine’s Day isn’t a season like Halloween or Christmas, you shouldn’t strain your bank account to decorate your fireplace. You can often find decorations at places such as a dollar store or a discount big-box store. Putting a handwritten message on a small chalkboard is an inexpensive and personal way to get a sincere reaction from a loved one. You can also paint branches from the yard and hang paper hearts from them to create a Valentine’s Day tree, and it only costs you the price of a can of spray paint and construction paper.

Make Sure Your Fireplace is Ready for the Big Night

Cleaning your chimney isn’t just about getting ready for a family gathering. It needs to be performed at least annually, more if you use your fireplace frequently. If your chimney isn’t cleaned at least once a year, the wood you burn in your fireplace can produce a sticky, easily ignitable substance called creosote that can coat the inside of your chimney. Over time, the creosote will thicken, inevitably leading to a chimney fire. Using a professional, experienced chimney sweep can help prevent chimney fires.

Anderson’s Can Get Your Chimney Ready for Valentine’s Day

If you want to be sure your fireplace has been inspected, is free of creosote, and is operating at its best, contact us right away. A member of our knowledgeable and friendly chimney experts will gladly discuss sending our crew of qualified and experienced chimney sweeps to come to your home. Don’t wait until Valentine’s Day and discover your fireplace has an issue; get in touch today!