New year, new oak beam
by Freddie Armstrong

OK, so it may not be 2019 quite yet, but it’s never too early to start planning your New Year’s resolutions. If you’re anything like us here at Traditional Beams HQ, not eating any more mince pies until next December, might be near the top of your list (although we’re hoping lifting some solid oak beams may help us to burn off some of the excess Christmas calories we’ve consumed).
As well as making (and possibly breaking) New Year’s resolutions, the start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to do a little decorating and DIY in your home. Not only is this a great way to beat the decoration-down blues, it’s also the perfect excuse to get active (resolution number 2 – tick!), without having to head out into the cold.
Start with an oak beam
Cosy-up your living space with the best fireplace mantel out there – a solid oak beam.
A tired-looking fireplace can really be revived by simply adding a piece of natural wood. Alternatively, if you don’t have a fireplace already, January is the perfect time to start planning where one could fit into your room.
Trust us, there’s nothing like sitting in front of the fire watching a film or reading a book.
Add a wood-burning stove
Open fires are lovely. But wood-burning stoves are better.
Not only are they more energy efficient, which means you should spend less money on logs, but you won’t have to deal smoke wafting into your room at regular intervals.
Even if you don’t have a chimney, it may be possible to add a wood-burning stove to your home by installing a twin-wall flue pipe system.
Decorate your fireplace mantel for the season
It’s true that homes can feel a little dull when the tinsel and fairy lights head back to the attic for another year.
But accessorising your oak beam shouldn’t just be for Christmas.
Cheer up your home by embellishing your mantlepiece with decorations all year round, to fit with the season.
In February, for example, you could bring out your romantic side and hang homemade heart-themed bunting. Even if you’re not feeling particularly in the loved-up mood, you could suspend a wreath dotted with fake flowers (blush pink roses look wonderful) above your oak beam.
Alternatively, you could keep it simple and fill a few small white jugs with seasonal blooms.
Don’t forget your hearth
A good hearth can make a real difference to the feel of your room.
If yours is looking old and tired, you could replace it before next winter. Whatever material you choose, just make sure it complies with regulations and is not flammable!
Need some inspiration? If you want to install an oak beam in your home but aren’t sure how it would look, take a peek at what some of our other customers have done with theirs.
-
How To Decorate Your Oak Fireplace Beam For Christmas
The cold nights are officially here, and Christmas is just around the corner. One of the best things to do at Christmas is sit by the roaring fire whilst sipping...
-
What Makes Oak Fireplace Beams So Special
There are so many options when designing a fireplace, from cast iron surrounds to solid oak fireplace beams. We thought we would share with you why we think oak fireplace...
-
How To Decorate Your Shelves For Autumn 2022
Shelves are so much more than extra storage on an otherwise unused wall.
Decorating your shelves for the season ahead is a really simple way bring a whole new feel...
-
Common Misconceptions About Oak Beams
Here at Traditional Beams we have discovered there’s a few misconceptions about oak beams. These may deter some people from creating their dream fireplace which seems a...
-
Which Floating Shelf Is Right For You?
Choosing a floating shelf to suit your space is easy when you know how.
In this article, we will focus on finding the perfect floating shelves for...
-
How Far Above A Wood Burning Stove Can I Install An Oak Beam?
Here at Traditional Beams, we get asked this question a lot, however there are a few variables to consider when choosing the optimal place to install your oak fireplace beam.
...