These 7 Fireplace Makeovers Are the Best and Coziest We’ve Ever Seen
There are some projects that sit on your to-do list for months — years, even — because they simply feel too complicated to tackle. Renovating a tired, dated fireplace is one of those things — it can seem like the project is way too difficult or time consuming to do right. And when you’re working giving the entire living room updates, a fireplace redo can take a backseat to the rest of the easy(ish) tasks like picking a living room paint color or choosing a living room layout.
But these inspiring real-life fireplace makeovers may provide the incentive you need to reorder that list of yours. These projects prove that the task doesn’t have to be all that complicated to yield some pretty amazing results.
1. Peel-and-Stick Products Help Turn a Bland Fireplace into a Colorful Focal Point
If you ask us, having a working fireplace in your home is a luxury. Not only do they offer the perfect cozy gathering spot, but they also set the mood for romantic evenings in. That’s why homeowner Jessica Lind set out to make over hers with some simple additions. She added patterned wallpaper behind it to create a stylish accent wall, added a new mantel to hold decor, and replaced the funky fireplace screen with a sleek version.
2. An IKEA Hack Saved this DIYer Thousands on Their Living Room Makeover
Custom built-ins instantly add character to a space, but if your home doesn’t already have them, they cost a pretty penny. For her fireplace makeover, Kelly Kahn found a way to save money while still getting the built-in look. She and her husband used three IKEA BESTA units combined with IKEA LACK and BERGSHULT shelves to achieve a stunning custom built-in look around their fireplace.
3. A DIY Faux Fireplace Made My Living Room Feel Both Bigger and Cozier
Ashley Poskin’s Chicago living room was missing one element — a fireplace. Instead of taking on a major project by adding one in, she decided to DIY a faux fireplace to enhance her space’s cozy vibes. She found a beautiful antique fireplace surround on Facebook Marketplace and added sides, a mantle, beadboard backing, and a hidden shelf to hold boxes and TV wires. She painted an old electric heater bubblegum pink and placed it in the middle with a few books on top to fill in the opening.
4. A $10 Redo Turns a Gloomy Brick Fireplace into a Cheery Focal Point
Fireplace makeovers don’t have to be expensive. With just $10, Rachel E. Wilson gave her fireplace a completely new look. She cleaned the bricks thoroughly, added a few coats of paint, and moved her bookshelf to where the firebox once was. The teal blue focal point brightens up the room while freeing up valuable space for her dining table.
5. A $700 Fireplace Project Gives This Blank Living Room Wall Tons More Character
It’s common for open-concept homes to open straight into the living room, creating an awkward entryway (or non-entryway) featuring a long, blank wall that’s a challenge to decorate around. Erika Ver’s solution was to DIY a slatted wood accent wall and install an electric fireplace. The result is both stunning and functional — a winning combo.
6. A $700 Fireplace Redo Saves the Original Mid-Century Wood Paneling
A fireplace makeover makes all the difference in this mid-century home. Before Courtney Batten and her husband bought the home, the living area looked dark and boring, even with the beautiful brick focal point. To liven things up and give the space some mid-century charm, she added wood paneling behind the piece. Greenery and cozy furniture add much-needed personality and warmth.
7. An Under-$100 Upgrade Transforms a Blah Fireplace
The giant fireplace in Megann Gresham’s colorful home wasn’t quite colorful enough. So she tackled an intimidating project — painting the stone facade. She went with a green color that brightens up the fireplace and brings out the warm wood tones of the mantel above it.