Selecting Fireplace Tools

Selecting Fireplace Tools
Fireplace tools are important for their decor as well as their function.  They are probably more important for their decor.  Let's face it, you could poke your fire with any old pole, sweep up the ashes with any old broom and dust pan, and clean out the fireplace with any old shovel and bucket.  However, an old beat up shovel and broom do not look very good leaning against your fireplace.  Fireplace tools are very beautiful, and they are also made in the proper sizes to make them easier to work with.  They also come with a rack where they are all neatly hung together.  A nice fireplace tool set has many advantages over the old broom and shovel.

Color  
The color you want will generally dictate the material the fireplace tools are made of.  You can find fireplace tool sets made of copper, brass, bronze, brushed nickle, graphite, pewter, stainless steel, wrought iron, and more.  With all the choices how do you decide.  First of all if you like it and it makes you happy that is the one for you.  If you still can not decide here are a few hints.  Match your fireplace tools with the dominant colors of your room.   The colors red, yellow, and orange are said to be warm colors because they are the color of fire.  If your room's dominant colors are warm, your fireplace tools will want to be black, gold, rust, copper, bronze, or any of the brownish colors.  Cool colors are blue, green, and violet because they resemble ice or cold water.  If your room has cool colors,  the fireplace tools should be black, pewter, stainless steel, brass, or the silver colors.  If you already have a fireplace screen it would be a good idea to match it unless you are thinking about getting a new one.

Traditional
If you are going for the traditional look then brass fireplace tools are for you.  Brass was the standard for colonial homes.  If you want to be traditional in a modern way, the trend is to have your brass color a little duller.  Copper and bronze fit in with today's traditional look.

Contemporary
If your room is modern and full of technologies, you will want fireplace tools that are black, stainless steel, pewter, brushed nickle, or any color on the silver side.  These colors will not clash with your big screen t.v.

Size
Small fireplace tools are used for small fireplace or wood stoves.  Large fireplace tools would be for a massive stone fireplace in a great room.  Just make sure that they are in proportion to your fireplace and room.

Selecting the right fireplace tools will greatly add to the decor of your fireplace as well as your room.  They are also necessary for the maintenance and function of your fireplace.