Any ideas how to update my huge fireplace?
I am wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to update this fireplace? I know that the chrome fireplace and lighting needs replaced/updated. But should we paint or cover the fireplace itself? (please don't mind the mess, we were redoing another part of the room!)
Related Discussions
Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo (laminate)
I currently have stinky dirty carpeting in my living room and I want to replace it with a durable flooring that can stand up to dogs and kids.
How to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted?
Does having a paint over a popcorn ceiling change how I'd remove the popcorn ceiling?
How to apply peel and stick wallpaper?
I want to spruce up my walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Has anyone used this before and can advise me as to how to apply it properly?
How to stain wood floor?
I've heard staining is a good technique for updating floors. So how do I stain my wood floor?
Marble fireplace mantel . . .how to repurpose?
We replaced our old marble mantel & now I would like to repurpose it. The piece measures 8" x 1 1/4" x 6'. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Fireplace and harp makeover - any Ideas?
I just want to change the color. Do something with framing around it. And the harp. Suggestions please
If you want to brighten up the room, painting it or white-washing it would be a good option. Then the mantle could be restained to a darker color to make it stand-out against the lighter brick.
You can spray paint the chrome with high heat Rustoleum. There is a product called Brick Anew which is amazing, it is more costly than just painting the fireplace but it comes out beautiful. I think the grays would look amazing on your fireplace.
https://www.brick-anew.com/
Paint is definitely ALWAYS an option. You could also cover part of it or all of it with sheet rock and paint that OR if you cover the entire thing with sheet rock you could choose a different tile to cover that with instead of showing all of the brick too.
Paint would be the easiest.
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20fireplace
Gently whitewashed brick is huge trend right now. Just be sure about it, because you can't really undo it. Here's a neat post about it. https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/walls/change-your-brick-to-farmhouse-style-30799464
Change Your Brick to Farmhouse Style in a Day
You have several options. Do you like the look of whitewash? Would you want to modernize the look and reface or sheetrock all or part of it? Is the couch there temporarily? Even rearranging furniture can change the dynamics of a room. Even a mirror above it would lighten up the look. You could also hang a large, lighter piece of art. Good luck!
I would paint it and add new accessories and artwork to the mantel. It'll be a dramatic change without spending much!
sheetrock mud thinned with water will give you a slurry finish, almost a stucco look. or use the mud to do an edge at each mortar joint, then paint the entire surface.
If this was mine to work with I would white wash the brick. That way you would benefit from a lighter area but some the the individual color variations of the brick would still show thru.
If you want to, paint it. My only hesitation, as someone pointed out, is painting brick is pretty hard to undo later. I quite like it, i think it goes with your country theme you got going on :)
Thank you everyone! I am hesitant about painting because of the size. The back side is the same brick and apart of the entry way. It is a massive project either way but the wrong decision would be awful to fix.
I agree with everyone, lightening the brick will do wonders to the space.
Exciting project.Hello, Fireplaces can be painted or often retiled and I find looking around at the visuals on Pinterest or Houzz might offer some inspiration and ideas.
Heres some ideas that I saved
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/the-saga-of-the-truly-ugly-fireplace-33847745
https://www.hometalk.com/post/3373956/media?id=541608
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/charcoal-grey-painted-fireplace-6384857
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/updated-fireplace-39461004?
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/fireplace-whitewash-project-27546793?
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/fireplace-face-lift-just-87
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/17-fireplace-upgrades
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/fireplace/styles/before-and-after-fireplaces/
The Saga of the Truly Ugly Fireplace
Charcoal Grey Painted Fireplace
Updated Fireplace
Fireplace Whitewash Project
I like the brick but would probably update the mantle. If you don't like the brick color, you could do a lime wash.
Large piece of art where the oars are
I would remove the entire left side to make it symmetrical and open up the space. Then paint or sheet rock over the brick as others have suggested.
Depending on your style and preference and budget: but I would also remove the left side and cover the rest with sheetrock and tile. Or at least cover with sheetrock and tile. Then if you ever want to go back to brick...
I'd suggest doing a few temporary changes to get a feel for a more permanent fix such as: buy some poster board (available at the DollarTree. Remove the small pictures on the mantle and place white poster board along the mantle or use some light larger art pieces along the long mantle. Perhps also hang or set a large light colored piece of art work on the brick ledge....just to see how much a difference a lighter look will feel in your home. Since the sofa is there only temorarily, I notice you have the fireplace and also an area to store logs. By lightening up the entire brick wall with light art pieces, I think you may enjoy it more. I'd hesitate to make a big change without checking out some changes temporarily.
I would paint it white because it would really brighten up the room and add a large painting on the area with the oars.
I would for sure add a bit of light color on your brick and for sure move your sofa and add some other interest. Would for sure use less on the mantel to bring more interest to that brick wall vs having them all together