With masses of character and a distinctive Scandi look, log burners and fireplaces are now more than just practical items of furniture – they’re a core feature of contemporary homes.
See how you can turn your fireplace into a homely masterpiece with our clever indoor wood storage ideas, below.
Ideal for storing logs of varying sizes and shapes, the Round Shelf log store idea works best in minimalistic homes. The eye-catching circular shape grabs attention, whilst maintaining a laidback “Scandi” look. Effortlessly complementing the wood’s rough lines, the design looks neat attached to uncluttered walls.
Space-saving as well as striking, the Alcove log storage design quite literally blends in with existing décor. Using empty space to add extra decoration, this design is favoured for its unique look and practical usage. Alcove firewood storage systems are often a good choice if you are looking to add character to living spaces, without spending heaps of cash. Please note – for safety reasons, never store your wood touching your log burner, and ideally not within 1 ft of the burner. An alcove design like this protects the wood from the heat whilst keeping your wood handy.
This trendy geometric idea lends itself well to log storage, with sharp triangle shapes contrasting the mismatched firewood inside. Lying low to the ground, the Geometric cabinet is best suited beside small log burners, so as to not distract from the larger pieces in your décor.
If you’re a fan of floating shelves in the home, you’ll love this log storage design. Bolted to the wall to keep your firewood in place, this elegant Floating Shelf log storage idea (which is just a metal grid, mostly hidden by the logs) design is a cost-effective yet striking home feature. Best of all, it looks fantastic amongst any décor, from modern, minimalistic spaces to shabby chic themes.
If you already have a fireplace in the home but can’t decide how to maximise your space, we recommend this double Pillar design wood store idea. Bordering existing fireplaces, this design beautifully presents your space’s key feature, while the addition of logs adds dynamism and a country-style look to surroundings.
Ideal for homes with both outdoor and indoor log burners, these Industrial-style mobile log storage units are easy to move around and can be placed as an eye-catching accessory to log burners. Usually made of old scaffolding poles and wood, these mobile wood stores are a fantastic idea for those who are unsure about which permanent log store to choose, or for those with limited space.
Firewood for log burners or fireplaces needs to be more than simply chopped and slotted into your log storage unit. In fact, before you even think about adding them to your space, you need to make sure your firewood is sufficiently prepared so that it can burn as efficiently as possible.
Firstly, you need to cut your firewood to a consistent length -which is of course easiest with a chainsaw. This is usually around three inches shorter than the firebox width/length, although this depends on how you choose to load your firewood. Whichever design you choose, we recommend cutting the pieces shorter than you might expect, as they are easier to handle this way, and also quicker to dry.
If you are buying the wood in, make a note to ask the woodcutter when the wood was split and how it was stacked, as this will help you understand how long it needs to be seasoned for.
Once you’ve chopped your firewood to a consistent length, you can now split the wood for your log burner. For the majority of burners, this is usually no more than six inches in diameter, as large pieces can be difficult to set alight. However, if you are using some of your pieces for decoration only, a selection of sizes will look fantastic.
Now, you need to season your firewood. Much like how steak is prepared, firewood must be given a time to “relax” after it is initially chopped. Seasoning gives the wood chance to lose most of the moisture that it harbours which, upon first chop, is around 50 per cent of the wood. During this drying process (between 6 months and 2 years, depending on wood type), the water content of your firewood should reduce to be around 15-20 per cent.
Seasoned firewood is essential for log burners and fireplaces as it burns much more efficiently and creates less smoke (and subsequent creosote build-up) than unseasoned types. Well-seasoned firewood will keep scents of wood sap and mould growth at bay.
One of the best firewoods, Blackthorn burns well whilst producing very little smoke.
While oak requires lengthy seasoning (at least a year), it does produce consistent heat for longer durations than other woods.
Perfect for use as kindling, this softwood burns quickly and for long amounts of time. It is also well known for its fresh woodland fragrance.
Ash is a good option if you are looking for the consistent heat of oak, but would prefer a speedier seasoning process.
This sweet smelling wood burns quickly and leaves little residue behind.
Slow-burning cherry wood is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a deep- glowing, aromatic fireplace.
Perfect for warm winter fires, Hawthorn produces bountiful heat for long periods of time.
Sycamore is often chosen for its temperate not-too-scolding heat and sturdy flame.
Producing a hot flame, Maple is a good choice for long winter evenings. While there are many varieties of this wood, Sugar Maple is the best burner of them all.