As the mercury starts to drop and the air feels a little bit crispier, you might be in the mood for cosier nights in. Nothing helps you inject a bit of ‘Hygge’ in your home faster than a well-stocked, well-functioning fireplace.

We’ve put together some ideas for making this prime spot in your home a gathering place the whole family will love.

Before You Light Up – Safety First

If your fireplace has been out of service for the last 6 months, you may want to check that it is in safe working order first. Here are some of the things to check off your winter prep list.

Clear your fireplace of any old bits of rubbish or debris that may have been deposited there over the summer and are unsuitable for burning.
Check your fireplace areas and structure for damage. Consider checking the lining for cracks, loose bricks, deterioration, or missing mortar.
As an added precaution, you may want to check your smoke and carbon monoxide fire alarms. Ensure the batteries are replaced or sufficiently charged, as you prepare to light up in the coming season.

Chimney Chim Chim Cheree!

Remember, your chimney is integral to your fireplace! You should also check this structure at a minimum once a year.

Ensure your chimney is capped correctly to keep birds, rain, squirrels, rodents, vegetation, and other debris from entering, clogging, or nesting. It should have a rain cover to prevent water from entering the chimney.

Consider our:

Home Collection Black Chimney Guard With Rain Cover: This guard is made of heavy-duty powder-coated steel, designed to keep out animals and debris while allowing air to pass freely. It is ideal for use with round chimneys.

Home Collection Heavy Duty Black Chimney Guard is a powder-coated chimney guard that creates a physical barrier against crows and birds. The guard is also made from powder-coated steel with a black finish that blends in with any existing structure as a discreet yet practical addition to your home. It is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance.

If you already have one, check your existing cap for damage or missing parts.
Is your chimney securely attached to your house and structurally sound? This includes checking for water damage.
Enlist the help of a qualified Chimney Sweep or clean it yourself if you have the proper know-how to remove ordinary soot. This is necessary to prevent a dangerous buildup of soot, which can lead to fires. If you have heavy creosote buildup, you must call in a pro.
Check all gaskets, flues and seals for fractures or leaks.

Which Fuel To Choose For Your Fire?

There’s more than one way to fuel your fire and more than one way to store it. Fuel options range from traditional wood to new eco-friendly styles if your fireplace isn’t gas-fueled or electric.

Whichever type of fuel you choose, make sure you stock up in advance. You’ll be incredibly grateful if you stocked up during a freak snowstorm when driving conditions are less than ideal.

Options For Fireplace Fuel Include:

Kiln-dried logs come in various wood sources and pack sizes ranging from 18L bags to mesh bags to pallets. It all depends on how much storage space you have. Of course, buying in bulk is your long-term route to cost savings, but you do need to have a dry spot for storage on your premises. Kiln-dried firewood produces clean-burning, easy-to-light wood that will create an even-burning fire.
- If you use a gas-powered fireplace or an external gas-powered heater, you can stock up on Calor Gas in butane, propane or patio gas cylinders in various sizes. Propane Gas Cylinders are ideal for use with a variety of applications, including cookers, gas fires, and large gas BBQs. They can also be used with gas-powered tumble dryers. These should be kept outdoors.
- Peat Briquettes are on the way out. Consider a new range of renewable fuel and heating options. These products are 100% natural, sourced from sustainable, managed woodlands, and suitable for a variety of uses, from open fires and stoves to garden chimineas.
- Looking for more environmentally friendly fuel alternatives? Consider Heat Logs, aka Wood logs. They have a low ash content and high heat output. Here are some options:
Willow Warm Wood Briquettes are produced in Ireland from sustainably grown and harvested Irish Wood Products. They are made from a blend of 100% Renewable and indigenous Irish-grown willow and Biomass. This carbon-neutral product is exempted from Carbon Tax and carries the Guaranteed Irish symbol.
Shimada heat logs are perfect for toasty evenings by the fire. They are created by compressing hardwood sawdust, giving you a low ash content for less cleaning. A CO2-neutral fuel option for your stove, open fire, or chimineas in the Summer.
Flamers Premium Wood Logs are another smokeless fuel choice that gives high heat efficiency. This is an entirely natural product with no additives or binders, suitable for all stoves, open fires, and chimineas. The low ash content makes for less cleaning and more toasty evenings by the fire. Simply break each wood log into three pieces, place firelighters underneath, and light.
- If you have a wood pellet stove, you may want to stock up on this eco-friendly solution: Green wood pellets. These are grown and produced in Ireland and are a more economical and energy-efficient means of heating your home. These wood pellets are Irish Equine Centre tested and suitable for stable bedding.
Get A Firestarter!
Stock up on fire starters and fire logs, too—they’re a fast, efficient way to get your fire going quickly. Firelogs are odourless and easy to light. They contain Irish peat, which can light all smokeless fuels.
- The Flamers Kings Fire Starter Log is also ideal for stoves, open fires and chimneas and can burn for up to 90 mins. A Worthwhile buy as it is also a ‘Guaranteed Irish’ product made in County Westmeath. Simply light the wrapper and add fuel after 20 minutes!
  - You’ll also need to stock up on Kindling, an easy-to-use, fast solution that will get your fire blazing in no time at all! Stow away twigs and branches you’ve harvested from your property and dry these for recycling as kindling. You can also source kindling in bags and sacks.
  Time For A Fireplace Accessory Makeover?
  Did you know that adding a fireplace to your home boosts its value, especially in a temperate climate like ours?
  Fireplace accessories can complement and enhance the interior aesthetic or vernacular style of your home, too, be it classical, rustic, or contemporary.
  If your fireplace components are wearing down, it’s also worth replacing them.
  Fireplace Grates
  You can source Fireplace Grates in a variety of sizes. You can find a premium quality grate in our Essentials Range of string and sturdy fireside accessories in 14 to 18 Inches. You can also get a premium Cast Iron grate in various sizes.
Fireplace Screen
Ensure you have a stable and heat-resistant Fireside Screen to protect your flooring, furniture, and family from sparks, embers, and accidental fires. Make sure yours is made of a material suitable for all coal and wood-burning fires.
Fire guards / Screens are an essential safety accessory for every home with a fireplace, as they prevent young children and pets from getting too close to the fire.

Some come in compact foldable styles that hide away when not in use. Styles in rectangular or curved shapes are also available to suit the aesthetic and size of your fireplace area.
If you have a hot stove and small children, go for our Home Collection Classic Black Extending Nursery Fireplace Guard to prevent accidental burns. These also come in a variety of sizes and extendable options.
Fireplace Companion Accessories Sets
The classic combo of poker, tongs, brush, and spade/shovel fireplace accessories offers various options and styles. You could go vintage and antique in all brass and copper or ultra contemporary in steel and matt black finishes.
Take a look at some of the styles available:
The Home Collection Bee’s Top Companion Set gives your hearth a classic finish. This durable black fireplace tool set is a perfect accessory for any wood-burning fireplace or hearth. It includes a poker, shovel, brush, and tongs, all crafted from high-quality metal with a sleek, matte black finish. Ideal for modern or traditional home decor, it is also dishwasher-safe.

The Home Collection Antique Pewter Curved Companion will give your fireplace an elegant finish. Standing 48 cm tall, this stylish and functional set includes all the essential tools to maintain your hearth, including a poker, brush and shovel. The curved design adds a touch of sophistication to any traditional or contemporary home decor.

Fireplace Fuel Storage Options

Fuel Storage doesn’t always have to be messy or unsightly. There are dry, efficient options for storing fuel in a shed or garden.

If you use Coal, you can use Coal Bunkers in 150kg / 300kg / 600 kg versions, depending on your size. These products are strong and durable, suitable for any home that requires weatherproof storage for solid fuel. The materials used require no maintenance, as they will not rot or rust. They are also perfect for other forms of solid fuel.
It’s easy to keep the fuel tidily in your living room with the right accessories.
- Our Galvanised Coal Hod is an anti-rust container that can store and apply coal quickly. It has an angled top and two handles for easy pouring.
- The Home Collection Galvanised Waterloo Coal Bucket is a more discreet option. It is also ideal for storing logs and coal beside fires and stoves. The angled top rim allows you to pour coal into your fire easily. The bucket has sturdy handles on the top and side for easy carrying.
A Steel Coal bucket with a lid can be used for various fuels. The Home Collection PVC Black Coal Bucket With Lid And Handle is a suitable option for carrying and storing fuel for your fireplace. It is made of durable PVC and holds logs, coal, kindling, and other firewood. It could also be used to clean away cold ash from your fireplace.
A black Coal Chute is an alternative with no lid. Coal chutes make carrying and storing fuel easier, and their angled top makes pouring fuel on your fire much simpler.
If logs are your thing – consider a contemporary-style Log Bucket finished in leather-lookalike materials for an earthier natural aesthetic. Our Contemporary Log Carrier is made from PU tan leather. There are also styles in Black PVC.
For an even earthier, cosier look, you can use a variety of Wicker Log Basket options. Try to get them with a ready-made linen lining to prevent wood chips or wood dust from leaking onto your living room floor.
- Our Kubu Baskets Round Set of 3 (Large With Wheels) are a versatile option that seamlessly blends function and style. Perfect for various uses around the home—from storing firewood by the fireplace to organising toys in the nursery—these baskets are as practical as they are beautiful. Crafted with a natural woven design, they add a rustic yet elegant touch to any space. Each basket features sturdy handles for easy carrying, while the large basket includes wheels for effortless mobility.
  Don’t Be A Cinderella – Use Kit That Keeps Ash At Bay
  Ash Vacs
  If you’re pressed for time and have more than one fireplace, consider a purpose-built Ash Vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning cold ashes from fireplaces and wood stoves.
  For example, the 1200-watt Home Collection Black 25L Ash Vac is perfect for cleaning cold ashes from stoves, fireplaces, and BBQs. It has a 25L chamber and is therefore suitable for large fireplaces. It’s an all-year-round time-saving product. It has an indicator and a HEPA filter system to prevent dust or ash from entering the motor. It is an easy-to-use device with a tidy wire on the handle.
- Alternatively, you can use a simple heat-resistant brush and pan or brush and shovel sets to clean up hot ash. Regular moulded plastic will not do.
- Use an ash catcher to store away potentially hazardous and fine hot or cold ash particles for disposal.
  - Our Home Collection Galvanised Ash Storage Box is made of premium galvanised steel and is ideal for carrying hot or cold ash from your fire pit. This strong, lightweight container has an easy-to-grip handle, ensuring safe and easy transport. The secure lid keeps the ash from spilling out.
    Fireplace Accessory Checklist:
    Here’s a handy checklist for viewing our online catalogue
    Shopping list
    Stop by our Heating and Fuels section to view the available styles, options and brands.
    (use this copy in Social media Call to action)
    Why not tell us on Facebook and Instagram and share your gorgeous fireplace set ups.