What should I do to update an off centered and outdated fireplace?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384072674442159462/?lp=true

I like the stacked stone but would also change out the black marble to something lighter and get new doors/screen. If you like a more traditional look, you may want to add a wood mantle cap. Or possibly take the stone all the way up and add a floating mantel. For a more contemporary look, I like how in the picture, they boxed out the fireplace.

I am all about symmetry, but thats just my nature, and it can't always be that way. If you are going to remove the bricks, your choice of stacked stone will certainly bring you into a current trend. The most bothersome thing for me is the deep, full length hearth. It was a big design trend in the 70's but it just hogs floor space that could be so much more of a design feature. If the long hearth must remain, I would suggest putting a couple of bookcases on the right side of it and then using trim moldings, make them look built in. If you remove the bricks and the long hearth and scale back on the wall and just cover the fireplace with the tiles your options will really open up. You can stay with the half tiled wall or go all the way up to the ceiling, making the fireplace more of a feature. The photo options above look great. Do you know if the hardwood floor is under the hearth?

You could keep the brick the same width as the skinny side on both sides and take down the rest. Build shelving on both the sides of the fireplace. And add a little deeper mantle. Either painted dark or buy similar material to match the bench. Then paint brick and shelves either accent color or the grey you already have. If it won't make the room too dark you could remove all the brick and surround the fireplace with black marble with painted shelves flanking with a good stained wood mantle. Have fun.

Instead of removing the brick, cover the entire wall, all the way across, (wall to wall) with molding. Leave a small area around the fireplace to install stacked stone. Add a mantle and cover the bottom with stacked stone. If it’s possible, you could remove the black marble (big job) and replace with large seating pavers. Spray paint your fireplace surround with heat acceptable paint. The pic doesn’t show wall to wall molding but gives you an idea.

I have a brick off center fireplace too. I didn't want to spend a fortune on it so I white-washed it with Annie Sloan paint in Off White. It changed the entire look and now I'm happy. Maybe next time I'll go with the more expensive options but this was awesome for now (and the foreseeable future!).

Paint it