Have you ever looked at your fireplace and noticed a complete lack of emotions? No charm, no coziness, no spark? For years, I was trapped with a red brick monstrosity that resembled an ‘80s furnace instead of a warm fireplace. For a long period, I didn’t bother with it because I thought a complete fireplace transformation would take too much effort or be way too pricey. Spoiler: It doesn’t have to be.
I’m writing about 10 actual fireplace upgrades that I worked on by myself or assisted my friends with. Every one shares an experience — starting from trial and error, finding design ideas, and finally loving how the room turned out.
Who This Is For:
- If you feel your fireplace just doesn’t reflect your taste, is outdated, or seems boring to you, there are ways to pick new ideas.
- If something stylish and contemporary, farmhouse-style, or easy to maintain without a serious restoration is what you want
- If you love before/after transformations and honest design hacks
Let’s look at 10 home redesigns that gave these rooms completely new looks.
1. Painted Brick with a Minimal Mantel
I almost didn’t paint the red brick in our house, but it ended up being the best idea I could choose. I decided to paint the fireplace white and place a wood mantel on it made from old oak. Suddenly, the whole living room felt open and calm. It went from rustic to relaxed in one weekend.
Before
After
2. Moody Black for Drama
The fireplace wall doesn’t have paint just on the surface; Jenna painted every brick on the wall with black matte paint too. Initially, I thought the room would look dark with that color — but in fact, everything else seemed brighter. With some light furniture and brass sconces, the area changed immediately into something dramatic and contemporary.
Before
After
3. Farmhouse White Shiplap Wrap
This was my first attempt at using shiplap. We put white beadboard up the upper walls of the fireplace and painted everything in the room a bright white color. Putting in a big vintage mantel and some old furniture made my living room seem just like a home from a country magazine.
Before
After
4. Concrete Overlay for a Sleek Look
I watched how to apply concrete overlays on a DIY video and chose to do it on our fireplace. After going through a few challenges and a lot of dust, the result made the room look more expensive and sleek. This style is current and clean, and it goes perfectly with green plants and wood floors.
Before
After
5. Vintage Tile Surround
I saw a box of old tiles at the salvage yard and I decided to use them on my hearth. The bricks gave us a strong firebox, and we painted the whole area close to it a cozy clay color. The tiles stood out, changing the room’s style to be eclectic and full of warmth.
Before
After
6. Full Wall Built-In Surround
We upgraded this project with bookshelves on both sides and a large mantel that covered the whole wall. Even though we did the project ourselves and mainly used pre-made parts, the fireplace came out looking high-end and custom-made.
Before
After
7. Mid-Century Modern Stone Update
My mom’s fireplace was surrounded by clunky river rocks. We put in slim stacked gray stone and also put up a long floating walnut shelf. Presently, it is all about mid-century — with straightforward, sleek, and never-ending appeal. She still sends me photos of it.
Before
After
8. Scandinavian Style with Limewash
Some Scandinavian homes I found use limewash to make brick look more delicate. I went with a beige tone, and it softened up the look and made the mantelpiece earthier. It looks elegant while contrasting perfectly with natural linen and jute rugs.
Before
After
9. Dramatic Two-Tone Paint
Painting the wall above the mantel a vivid olive green was very easy, leaving the fireplace painted with a soft and clean white. The contrast made everything feel more intentional. Since it’s an easy fix, it’s great when you don’t feel like making major changes.
Before
After
10. Full Tile Modern Makeover
The whole wall from the floor to ceiling is covered in matte white elongated tiles. It’s crisp, graphic, and reflects natural light beautifully. Because of the soothing colors, low hearth, and a variety of textures: soft pillows and a carpet, the sofa was our go-to spot for evening relaxation.
Before
After
Takeaways from My Fireplace Makeover Adventures
- Colour can make a dramatic difference — don’t overlook what a little paint change can create
- Pay attention to the texture of materials, since it changes the room’s mood.
- You can try out fashion trends as long as they suit who you are.
- Small changes can have big emotional impact
- Before photos are gold — never skip them!
Which part of your home do you wish to change next? Let’s swap ideas in the comments!
