HELP! How can we update this fireplace?

Kim Jones
by Kim Jones
This is the fireplace in our new home- we have yet to move in, but this will be one of the first projects we tackle. Would love some ideas to help this fireplace look more updated and contemporary without having to remove the bricks. Thank you!
  17 answers
  • William William on Jan 18, 2017

    Here are what Some Hometalkers have done.....

    http://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=fireplace%20redo%20

  • Jim9906214 Jim9906214 on Jan 19, 2017

    I would say it depends on what your style is. If your a Joanna Gaines fan then you could buy 1/4 in plywood ripped at 8 inches and do a fake ship lap wall over that stained wood. Ive personally seen it done and its beautiful. Change the fireplace screen from the fake brass color to black, paint the brick a different shade than the wood you put up to give it some dimension. If your handy or know somebody who is you can check out shanty 2 chic on pintrest or instagram, those two ladies show you tons of ideas you can make yourself. Personally besides all the stuff I mentioned I would build some shallow built ins on that end for books or decorations. Good luck!

    Jim

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 19, 2017

    My opinion I would paint the brick a little color. www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/fireplace-redo-14055746

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jan 19, 2017

    The diagonal wood lines hav to go. Flat wall surface offers many options and opens the room. I woudl white wash/paint the brick to an even tone. SPray paint the firebox suround a neutral black or pwete

  • Jim9906214 Jim9906214 on Jan 19, 2017

    No problem. Would love to see the comparison photos. You should do before and after pictures from the same angle. I started doing that while renovating our 100 year old home. It gives you some perspective on how far you have come on each project. Good luck!

    Jim

  • That's almost exactly what ours looked like only our paneling was vertical. Here are some posts of what we did with very little $ (cause we have very little $):


    http://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/fireplace-remake-salvaged-materials/

    http://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/whitewash-fireplace-diy/

  • Cwh6899259 Cwh6899259 on Jan 19, 2017

    I don't care for painted brick, but I am not you.

    I would leave the brick as it is, beef up the mantle with a much larger & deeper profile (probably with some timber/stone slab), perhaps with corbels at each end butting against the outside edge of the brick.


    Paint the wood wall out in a white or cream colour.


    If I had to remove the wood, I would remove it and recut the ends square and reapply it horizontally like shiplap. Then paint it white or cream.


  • Joan Joan on Jan 20, 2017

    Definitely paint the wall to lighten up the room. I would stain (not paint) the fireplace which I did. Pick a stain color you like, and brush it on like paint. It makes a huge difference. Also if you're going to keep the fireplace cover, you can spray paint that as well with heat-resistant paint. Good Luck!

    • Kim Jones Kim Jones on Jan 20, 2017

      Joan, thank you for the advice to STAIN the brick rather than paint it!

  • Marilyn Marilyn on Jan 20, 2017

    I would white wash the bricks to make them lighter and get an old wooden plank for mantle.Change out that out dated brass for a free standing tri fold black wire screen front. If you don't want to change out the wood on the wall paint it out in a distressed look / paint soft grey and block sand to let a bit of the wood come through.

  • Kim Jones Kim Jones on Jan 20, 2017

    Thank you, Marilyn! I really like your ideas!

  • ABR12234501 ABR12234501 on Jan 22, 2017

    Watch tv program, on all day. Variety of names. "Flip/Flop", "Like it or list it',"Property Bros", "Love it or List it", ETC. Endless ideas about remodeling homes. Plus stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, even some hardware stores have classes and specialize in giving suggestions. Good luck!

  • Teresa Seeger-Gesser Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 23, 2017

    Prepare and paint the wall that shares the fireplace - one color. Next, add groupings of your wall decor. Easy & inexpensive. Just keep balance in mind.

    • See 1 previous
    • Teresa Seeger-Gesser Teresa Seeger-Gesser on Jan 24, 2017

      I cannot see the condition of the brick. I personally would not paint the fireplace, I like the warm country feel of brick. I would update-the fireplace screen - nothing busy, the brick has it going on, maybe plain black. Furniture placement will help too, do you have a comfy chair & ottoman to place next to fireplace? Do have a sofa and loveseat you could mirror in front of the fireplace? Always remember, you want one focal point in a room, that would be your fireplace.

  • Loretta Loretta on Jan 23, 2017

    You have not said what else your plans are for the room, painting cplots, leaving carpet, changing flooring, what colors you want the room to be???? Really need more info.

  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Jan 23, 2017

    paint or stain the wood wall a very dark color, whitewash the brick and paint the brass a rose gold or copper for some shiny bling hope this helps xx

  • Loneagle Loneagle on Jan 24, 2017

    Personally I enjoy the brick but agree this seems a little dated. I would lay ceramic tile over it with a wooden frame and new mantle, Possibilities are endless

  • Sue Ryan Sue Ryan on Jan 24, 2017

    I would remove the wood and reinstall it horizontally, Paint the brass black and reface the fireplace with big tiles all the way to the ceiling.

    • Kim Jones Kim Jones on Jan 24, 2017

      Sue- thank you for the visual!! I love it! Yes, I think horizontal is the way to go with the wood!