Trying to decide which fireplace screen to buy can seem overwhelming. There are many shapes, colors, styles, and sizes available. Here’s some help selecting the one that’s right for you.

shape

Let’s start with the shape. This will be the easiest decision to make. Is your fireplace opening arched or standard? If your fireplace opening is arched, you will select an arched screen with a continuous arch. If it’s standard, any of the others will work as long as it fits. We’ll get to the size later.

Color

Now let’s move on to colour. You’ll want your display to coordinate with the dominant colors in your room.

If your dominant colors are warm, such as red, yellow, orange, or a combination of these, your shade should be black, gold, rust, copper, bronze, brass, or any of the shades of brown.

If your dominant colors are cool, such as green, teal, blue, blue-purple, or violet, your shade should be black, white, stainless steel, pewter, or any of the silver colors.

You’ve probably noticed that a black screen works with any color scheme.

Issue

The next question would be, what look am I trying to achieve? One would be traditional. A traditional look is a “clean look” that has a simple, classic design. This look works well with any theme. These displays would include ones that have straight lines and are not really “stylish” in their design.

Another look would be an antique or Victorian theme. This is usually rich in tapestries and very elegant. This calls for a screen with rounded corners and fancy scrolls.

Other fireplace screens to consider

You may want to consider a screen with doors. These are very useful so you don’t have to move the entire fireplace screen to attend to the fire. You may also want a glass fireplace screen that is absolutely beautiful at night with the fire glowing behind it.

fireplace screen size

The most important thing to consider is the size of the fireplace screen. You may find a screen you love, but if it doesn’t fit, it just won’t work. The size rules are as follows:

Single panel fireplace screens should be 1 to 3 inches larger than the fireplace opening on all sides, including the top.

Folding panel screens should be at least 10-12 inches larger than the firebox opening to allow for the curve that gives the screen stability. The screen should also be 1-3 inches higher than the firebox opening.

These are minimum size guidelines. If your fireplace screen is larger than this, that’s fine. As long as it doesn’t seem disproportionate.

Whichever fireplace screen you select, make sure it’s one that fits and that you enjoy. Every time you look at your new screen, you should say, “I’m glad I got that one.”