FIRESIDE ACCESSORIES GUIDE
What Do You Actually Need?
The great thing about fireplace accessories is that they can be beautiful as well as practical. They make tending your fire easier, while also giving you the chance to style your hearth and add those finishing touches to your room. You can choose sleek, simple shapes for a modern look, or go for more ornate and decorative designs if you have a more traditional vibe. Different finishes and metals will also change up the overall look, from striking midnight black to polished chrome or antique brass. Whether you have a traditional open fire, a log burner or coal fire, here's a look at some of the most useful fireside accessories and what they're used for.
Fireplace Tools & Companion Sets
Fireplace tools help you to tend your fire and maintain the hearth and fireplace. A 'companion set' is a collection of your everyday essentials, usually the set will have a poker, tongs and a shovel and brush to make cleaning up easy. Each tool is designed for a different job and comes nicely bundled, meaning they’re easy to store by the fire. There are so many different styles to choose from, so your fire tools don't have to look out of place beside your fireplace. And actually, they can be just as much of a decorative feature as they are practical. If you'd rather buy things separately there are lots of individual tools, pan and brush sets and hanging tool racks to choose from to build your own collection.
Fire Guards & Fire Screens
Fire guards and fire screens can be both practical and decorative, and different designs are suited to different fireplaces and preferences. A traditional three or four fold fire guard can be positioned around the front of a fireplace, while a single panel screen can provide a simpler look. Fully enclosed designs and guards with opening doors are also available with some offering protection for children and pets, and mesh designs prevent sparks and embers escaping into the room. For more help choosing a fire guard, take a look at our Choosing a Fire Guard Guide.
Log Baskets & Log Holders
If you have a wood burner or open fire then keeping logs close to the fireplace makes sense. If you go with a traditional basket, this can add a softer and more decorative touch, whereas a metal log holder can suit a more contemporary fireplace. If you need somewhere for smaller pieces of wood or kindling then a dedicated kindling basket or log storage with separate compartments can be useful too. Think about how much fuel you normally keep beside your fire, and how much space you have available.
Coal Buckets & Scuttles
The word ‘scuttle’ has been used for a coal container since the 19th century, the word actually comes from the Old English scutel, meaning a dish or platter. Today, a coal scuttle is a practical way to keep coal close to an open fire or stove. Its shape makes it easy to carry and tip fuel onto the fire, while some designs can also be used for storing kindling too.
Smaller Fireside Accessories
It's often the smaller pieces that complete a fireside. Bellows are wonderfully traditional and can be used to help encourage a fire. Hearth brushes and shovels are useful for keeping the area around your fireplace tidy. Extras like fire dogs, fireside gloves and match holders are really useful additions. Stove top fans are designed to help circulate warm air around the room, while log holders, companion sets, brushes and other tools can all be useful additions to a stove. Many fireside accessories work just as well with a modern log burner or wood burner as they do with a traditional fireplace. When choosing accessories for a modern stove, consider both practicality and the amount of space you have around it. A few well chosen pieces can keep everything you need close to hand without making the area feel cluttered.
Choosing Fireside Accessories for Your Home
There's no need for every fireside accessory to match exactly. Mixing traditional and contemporary pieces, or different finishes can work really well. Or you could choose a consistent finish if you'd prefer a more coordinated look. Looking for styling inspo? Check out our How to Style a Fireplace Guide.
Shop Fireside Accessories
We have a wide range of fireplace tools and fireside accessories, from companion sets and fire guards to log storage, coal buckets, bellows, and stove fans to name just a few. Perfect whether you're updating an existing fireplace, or putting together a complete fireside from scratch. With three generations of family history (and over fifty years of combined experience in the metalworking trade) at Black Country Metal Works, we're a trusted name for fireside products.
