Your Budget-Friendly Guide to the Perfect Fireplace Makeover

Whether you already have a brick fireplace or are gearing up to DIY one for your living room, you know that a fireplace is a pretty prominent part of any room.

And for that very reason, an out-of-date or dirty fireplace can be a real eyesore. A fireplace makeover is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to improve the look of the room. There are many different ways you can go about this fireplace makeover but at the forefront of your thoughts should be fire safety.

Fireplace Safety

If you plan on using your fireplace for more than decoration, you need to be sure to follow fireplace safety in order to protect the investment that is your home. Never use flammable items to decorate the mantle or around the fireplace and never hang decorations below the mantle over the hearth as this can be a major fire hazard. Also, avoid using plastic decorations too close to the fireplace as they can overheat and melt. 

Another measure you should take is making sure that all parts of the fireplace are always in proper working order and that the chimney is kept clean and unobstructed. You should have your fireplace inspected each year before you start using it. 

Paint Your Brick Fireplace

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to DIY a brick fireplace makeover is to refresh it with paint. We’ve written a couple of times about painting brick, including an entire article on how to paint your interior brick so we won’t go too in-depth here, but painting your brick fireplace is a project that you could complete in a few days. Just be sure that painting is the right thing for your room because removing paint from brick is not an easy process. 

How to decorate your fireplace mantel

It’s pretty easy to just switch up the decorations on your mantel, especially depending on the season or your aesthetic preferences. We recommend starting your mantel redecoration with a base of candles, plants, and/or a mirror. These are all popular options and can make for a really beautiful starting point for you to then build and decorate around. 

How to decorate around your fireplace

Because the fireplace is such a standout element of any room, the decor around it should also stand out and seamlessly blend with the rest of the room’s decor. One way to decorate your fireplace that is both functional and beautiful is with a decorative screen. Most homeowners opt for a plain black screen to keep the ash and embers from flying all around the room but you can spice your fireplace up with something a little more fun. You can find fireplace screens in various patterns, colors, and metallics. 

Inspect Your Brick Fireplace

Your fireplace can only function flawlessly if it’s properly maintained so that means fully cleaning it at least once a year and removing the ashes between burnings. There are countless commercially-made cleaners on the market and deciding between them can be a difficult task. If you would prefer a more eco-friendly option, we’ve got the perfect one for you. 

If you’re doing your annual fireplace cleaning, you might as well pair it with a basic inspection too so that you notice any potential issues before they become problems. Here’s what to look for during your inspection:

• Look up into the chimney to make sure you can see light at the top of the chimney.
• Open and close the flue damper to make sure it works properly.
• Check for cracks or damage to the bricks both inside and outside of the chimney.
• Make sure the glass or screen is not damaged.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you should contact a professional before using your chimney again.