How do I minimize this room-wide fireplace wall?

Liisa
by Liisa
This is just too much brick for me! Hub is not keen on blasting it out . Brick is pretty as brick goes but there's just too much! Ideas please!
  12 answers
  • Marti Parks Marti Parks on Oct 14, 2017

    I would build book shelves at each end and cover and paint the back side of the shelves so the brick does not show through. I stapled material to match the color of the furniture on the back of the bookshelves or you could hang draperies at either end.

    • Barb Barb on Oct 14, 2017

      I could even have said it better, your right on!

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Oct 14, 2017

    On each side build shelves, shallow depth, and continue them to ceiling, changing depth as soon as you can. Shorten the mantel to fit between the shelving units. The bottom could be shallow cabinets, then open shelves above. Keep them far enough away that there's no fire hazard. Good chance to add color, if just the back of the open shelving.

  • Joye R. Foster Joye R. Foster on Oct 14, 2017

    How about bookcases on both sides.?

  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Oct 14, 2017

    You could whitewash the bricks (thin white paint with water and wipe over the surface of the bricks) or have it refaced with a stone you like better. My fireplace was also brick from floor to ceiling. 6foot wide..a huge 'in your face' column. We had the people who did outside stone add light coloured stone (set on cement with wire base) and added a mantel. It's made a huge difference in the room. Previously we'd even mirrored it, but still had the brick hearth.

  • Peg Peg on Oct 14, 2017

    I personally love it the way it is.

  • Mar25514832 Mar25514832 on Oct 14, 2017

    Paint part of it white with a roller.

  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Oct 14, 2017

    btw...tile could be an effective surface as well, depending on the tile (bigger is better) and use an even larger size of the same tiles on the hearth.

  • A A on Oct 14, 2017

    Move the TV to above the fireplace using a mount that can tilt it down a bit. Paint the brick a pale color (to match your decor) and put cushions on either side (flame retardant, just in case). I also like the idea of the bookshelves but just above the the fireplace on either side. This can give your TV a built in look.


    Another option, instead of paint, would be to attach barn wood to either side of the fireplace. Tile is also an option.

  • Emily Emily on Oct 14, 2017

    Right now the viewers eye is confused between the t.v. and the fireplace opening, so I like Artemis' idea except would minimize the t.v. if possible. I like the idea of bookshelves ABOVE the mantel, but also making the mantel less wide. The elongated mantel is emphasizing the brick, because it is white and so long. I like the brick but that is me. Is your house open concept or could you also move t.v. to be at right angles to fireplace wall?

  • Castrang17 Castrang17 on Oct 15, 2017

    Mount TV above fireplace, place clock and candle holders closer to mounted TV, add groupings of green plants on each side of fireplace at variable heights. Swing your couch/coffee table/rug around, so you are looking at the fireplace. Like the picture, can it go on another wall with more pictures? Is there a chair there? Put chair by windows with side table and lamp. The dog can stay there. 👍

  • Joanne Correira Szala Joanne Correira Szala on Oct 15, 2017

    I live the brick and would simply put potted plants on the mantle that would cascade down.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Dec 07, 2020

    I would paint that entire wall white to minimize the brick area:


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