Create a Cozy Home with a Fireplace Makeover

• Posted on October 20, 2017

The fireplace is often the first thing we notice when we enter a living room or family room, whether it’s for good or bad reasons. But wouldn’t we all love a cozy looking fireplace to add style and warmth to your family’s home?

No matter what type of fireplace exists in your home already, you can change it up for sleek new look that will increase the value of your home decor and give your home a fresh and homely feel.

Wall Surrounds

Changing up the wall surround can be pricey, depending on the material you choose. But this can transform your living space and modernize your home. Stone works well around a fireplace, particularly on a wall. If you have a gas or electric fire, a stone wall can add rustic sophistication to your home decor.

For a chic look, choose slate or travertine stone tiles. The natural stone will go with lots of other furnishings and it will be easy to swap out your home decorations for seasonal ones while keeping the stylish, modern look overall. Ask your homebuilders for advice on the best materials for your home.

Brick

Brick fireplaces never really go out of style. Brick is extremely long lasting and can give your room a classic, stylish look. However, if you’re looking for ways to bring your brick fireplace up to date and blend better with the rest of your home decorations, then there are a few things you can do.

For a shabby-chic style fireplace, whitewashing the bricks can instantly transform your room. It will add a rustic charm to your home and will brighten up your room. Whitewashed bricks will look great with a dark, natural wood mantelpiece but will go equally well with a white or gray mantel for a fresh, clean and cozy look.

An alternative to whitewashing is to paint the bricks. Depending on how large your fire surround is, you might want to choose a color that’s going to work with the rest of your home decor. White is a good option, giving a fresh updated look that will help to brighten up the room and highlight any darker furnishings you might have. Or you could go with a slate gray for a contemporary look.

Another option for updating your brick fireplace is to install a mantelpiece over the brick, leaving a smaller portion of the brick exposed around your fire. You can then choose a mantel that will suit your style while keeping the rustic charm of the exposed brick to add a little character.

Metal

Metal fireplaces have been gaining in popularity over recent years. Metal can add an urban, edgy look to your home and can really transform a space.

Steel is a popular choice and can be installed in a range of textures and colors, with blackened steel giving that contemporary, almost industrial effect to your fireplace.

If you have an already existing brass fireplace, this can be easily updated by painting it. Painting it a dark gray or black will give it a modern, edgy look that will enhance your room. This is a simple and inexpensive solution to upgrade your decor without too much work.