8 Fireplace Makeovers That’ll Make You Want to Curl Up with a Good Book

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.

Casey Finn, the blogger behind The DIY Playbook, transformed an uninspired black granite fireplace into a gorgeous statement piece by building out the frame with trim, then adding marble tile and painting the whole thing white.

Tired of looking at a dark and drab brick fireplace? Bookmark this tutorial. Cindy, the blogger behind DIY Beautify, shows just how fast and effective a simple chalk paint makeover can be.

If you’ve always wanted a fireplace, but don’t have the time or budget to take on a major household renovation like that, consider this clever option from The Merry Thought. They framed out an electric log insert, complete with a gorgeous wooden mantle. The best part? The whole thing is portable. 

Brooke Christen swapped a traditional surround for a sleeker, more contemporary shiplap one that extends from the floor to the ceiling.

Jamin and Ashley Mills removed a basic, thin mantel and removed large-format tile, then added modern geometric marble tiles and a much more substantial mantle in its place to create a much more sophisticated vibe.

What was once a blank wall in Stacey Cartwright’s home now has a floor-to-ceiling reclaimed wood electric wood fireplace flanked with bookcases for a more custom, high-end look.

Jenni Yolo’s new floor-to-ceiling electric fireplace cost just $150 to make and adds dimension to an otherwise vast, blank family room wall.

Built-in bookcases, an extended mantle complete with trim detail, and a dark hue that you simply can’t take your eyes off of makes The Thrifty Decor Chick’s fireplace the focal point of her living room.