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Timber Ridge Abilene

Seasonal Guide to Decorating an Apartment with a Fireplace

Seasonal Guide to Decorating an Apartment with a Fireplace

A fireplace is a cozy addition to any apartment. It adds an element of hominess that you can't find just anywhere. A fireplace provides warmth on cool nights, and the light of the flames provides a sense of calm and comfort to any home. A fireplace is a rare joy when living in apartments, which is all the more reason to delight in seasonal decorations.

How do you decorate an apartment fireplace? We have some great ideas to share for every season.
a stone fireplace with a wooden mantel and a roaring fire

Hang Artwork and Photos

Not all apartment fireplaces have a mantelpiece (that stone shelf above the fireplace), but you can always do something special with the wall space above. One of the best ways to decorate your fireplace is with artwork and photos. Hang a beautiful painting or your favorite framed print that will enhance the elegance of your living room above the fireplace. Or create a gallery wall of photos that make your fireplace feel more cozy and welcoming.

Pro Tip: Don't mount a TV above the fireplace. Framed photos are protected behind glass, but a TV can potentially take heat or smoke damage if hung directly over a fireplace, especially one without a mantelpiece.


Halloween Decor for the Fireplace

Of course, you don't have to wait until December to get festive. If you have a fireplace, Halloween is a great time to decorate with a spooky theme instead. Pose your plastic skeleton in a chair near the fireplace to make fun of creepy scenes. Add fun decals to the walls like a flock of bats, or hang a haunted portrait over the fireplace.

If you don't light a fire (we often have warm Halloweens here in Texas) you can decorate the unlit logs with plastic skulls and other scary items. 

Holiday Decor for the Fireplace

Everyone knows that the holiday season can be a special time for fireplace decor. Start by hanging an evergreen or tinsel garland around the outer edge of your fireplace to give it a festive look, adorned with brightly colored ornaments in your favorite styles. This simple change can transform your all-year fireplace into a special holiday scene.

Then, hang your family stockings above the fireplace as part of the age-old tradition. Whoever plays "Santa" can then sneak in at night and fill the stockings with candy and other small gifts. 

a fireplace with christmas stockings hanging on it

All-Winter Fireplace Decor

From the first cold snap to the first warm days of spring, you can decorate your fireplace with the accessories that make fires more enjoyable. As for decorations around the fireplace, consider using wall decals that change with every new holiday.

 

Cushions for the Hearth

Hearth seating is something you can enjoy all year long, whether you have a stone hearth or your fireplace goes all the way to the floor. Keep a pile of cushions and throw blankets nearby so that seating near the fireplace includes not just the chairs and couches but also the coziest seats in the house near the mesh curtain of the fireplace.


Spring and Summer Fireplace Decor Ideas

We rarely light fires in the spring and summer due to the warm weather, but you can still decorate your fireplace. Clean out the winter ashes and replace the logs with a bundle of string lights instead. Glimmering string lights can make your fireplace look magical. You can enjoy a mesmerizing view even when the weather is too warm for a fire.

With a cold fireplace, you can also get creative with things like LED sculptures, fake flames, and unique art displays. The space is yours to decorate as you choose. Just be sure to clear out all non-flammable decor when the weather starts to cool.

a white fireplace with potted plants on top of it

Fireplace Tips

If this is your first time living in a home with a fireplace, here are some useful tips:

Fireplace Types

  • Wood-burning fireplaces are the most traditional. They have a grate in the center for logs, which produce smoke when burned.
  • Gas fireplaces provide a trickle of natural gas to help the fire stay lit and need less fuel for a cheery flame.
  • Electric fireplaces do not burn with real fire, but generate heat from an electric element and simulate fire with an LED display.

Fireplace Best Practices

  • Open and clear the flue before your first fire of the year
  • Close the flue and clean the fireplace after your last fire of the year
  • Pay attention to heat around the edges of the fireplace. Place decorations a suitable distance from the opening
  • Use the fireplace screens and build fires near the back of the fireplace; start small and add one log at a time. 
  • Keep a fireplace poker nearby to push back twigs or logs that fall forward
  • Don't set your marshmallows on fire when using an indoor fireplace.

 

Apartments with a Fireplace in Abilene, TX

Fireplaces are a charming addition to any home. If you are looking for an apartment with a fireplace in Abilene, Texas, you've found us at Timber Ridge Apartments. We include amenities to enjoy in every season, like a pool, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and cozy fireplaces in some of our apartments. Our community is welcoming and pet-friendly, so you are sure to find an apartment that suits your household and lifestyle. Contact us today to explore apartment availabilities including fireplaces, covered parking, and more. We look forward to welcoming you home.