Transform your living space with our collection of fireplace makeover ideas, showcasing affordable and creative before-and-after transformations. Whether you’re looking to update with paint, add a modern tile strip, or install a rustic wood mantel, find inspiration to revitalize the focal point of your room.
The fireplace is really the focal point of your living room. That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the state of your fireplace!
Making over our fireplace was one of the first big projects that we did when we bought our home. This project is a great example of the fact that a fireplace makeover doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult to make a huge impact!
DIY projects can be overwhelming – but a fireplace makeover doesn’t have to be. While a full fireplace remodel might be a lot of work – there are tons of smaller ideas to redo your fireplace that you can do to customize your space.
White paint can make a huge difference in any home! Whether you have a red brick fireplace, stone fireplace, or even a wood surround, paint is always an easy and inexpensive option. Painted brick might seem scary – but it almost always looks modern and fabulous!
It also can be easy to add a strip of tile surrounding the fireplace insert. This is a great way to give your fireplace surround a modern look!
Another easy way to update your fireplace is by adding a wood mantel. This could be modern, rustic, or any design style.
I hope that these DIY fireplace makeovers inspire you!
Fireplace Makeover Ideas
Here are some general fireplace makeover ideas. Keep scrolling for a list of specific tutorials for these projects!
Simple DIY Fireplace Makeover Ideas
- White paint makeover for brick, stone, and wood fireplaces
- Adding a strip of tile for a modern look (see how we did this with peel & stick!)
- Installing a wood mantel for a rustic or modern style
- Salvaging a mantel from a secondhand store or repurposing wood
- Painting outdated stone with a fresh coat of paint
- Whitewashing the brick for a subtle makeover
Here is our tutorial for how to remove an existing mantel and fireplace surround.
Major Fireplace Renovation Ideas
- Using moulding and white paint to extend the fireplace to the ceiling
- Updating with a classic marble tile
- Installing shiplap for a modern look
- Adding built-in window seats for practicality and beauty
- Building a DIY fireplace surround
- Renovating with new stone for a major transformation
Fireplace makeover FAQs:
How much does it cost to makeover a fireplace?
Pros can charge thousands of dollars to makeover a fireplace – especially if you need stone work done. However, you’d be surprised at how much of a difference you can make for the cost of one can of paint!
What is the cheapest way to update a fireplace?
The cheapest thing you can do to transform the look of your fireplace is paint. I recommend this paint for brick or stone and this high heat paint for the interior.
Do fireplaces add value to a home?
Surveys say, yes fireplaces add value to your home. But, an outdated fireplace could definitely turn off some buyers! If you are planning to sell, it might be time to refresh your mantel!
How do you repurpose a fireplace?
Can’t have a fire? An updated fireplace is still a beautiful architectural feature. How about using it:
- As a book shelf
- With candlesticks
- With logs – but add string lights instead of fire
- Fill it with plants that don’t need much light
- Add an aquarium
- Stack logs there just for looks
- Cover the hole with decorative wood
Fabulous DIY Fireplace makeover ideas
Here are the best fireplace resurfacing ideas on the internet! I hope they inspire you.
Amazing Fireplace Makeovers
A fireplace is often the focal point of your home. Let's make that a good thing with one of these amazing DIY fireplace makeovers!
We used molding and white paint to extend our fireplace to the ceiling. It now looks so regal and expensive, but this was a really cheap DIY project.
Check out our complete tutorial for creating a pop out fireplace shiplap wall!
Here is our tutorial on how to add a peel and stick tile to cover a fireplace surround. This is best for non-wood burning fireplaces.
A new mantel and a paint job on the brick make a huge difference to this fireplace! This is a super doable DIY project.
Painting your walls a dark color like Hale Navy is a bold choice. Painting the fireplace and walls BOTH a bold color is an extra-bold choice, but it's one that pays off! Plus, you can't get much more DIY than a paint makeover.
A great, simple way to upgrade your fireplace is by adding a mantel. If you don't want to build one, check out your local habitat for humanity or salvage store and repurpose one, instead!
Marble is super on trend right now, and replacing your outdated fireplace surround with a more classic marble tile is a great way to brighten up and modernize the space.
If you love shiplap, a great place to install it is on your fireplace! It can really draw attention to the fireplace and is a surprisingly easy and budget friendly DIY project.
We all know and recognize that 80's stone work! If it's not in the budget to replace it, a fresh coat of white paint can modernize the look.
Wow! Would you ever have guessed that this wood fireplace was made from old pallets? Talk about budget friendly - and beautiful!
I love that they utilized the space on either side of this fireplace to create bench seating. It's beautiful and practical.
If you are ready to brush off your woodworking skills, you will love this simple tutorial for building a DIY fireplace surround.
WOW this fireplace had a mega transformation! When the stone goes all the way up to the ceiling, mixing it up has a huge impact!
It is amazing what a difference a little paint can make! In this case, they didn't even paint the brick but whitewashed it. Still, that was enough to tone down the out of date brick tones. Gorgeous and super DIY friendly.
If you are up for a big project, you have to check out this major fireplace renovation with stone!
Did you know that you can use chalk paint to give your brick fireplace a rustic look? Well, now you know!
I can hardly believe that this is the same fireplace! The difference is really light and day - and it was all an easy paint DIY project.
Most of these makeovers have been light and bright, but black fireplaces can be moody and gorgeous, too, like this one!
Painting the dated brick and the brass insert totally modernized this fireplace!
A DIY fireplace cover board can help with utility bills and tie your personal style in with the look of your fireplace.
If you want a touch of shiplap but not a whole wall of it, this tutorial will show you how to add shiplap over the mantel!
German Schmear is a great way to tone down the color of brick and give it an interesting texture.
Faux Concrete Wall Panels Behind Fireplace (No tools required!)
If you have a freestanding fireplace, adding concrete panels could be a great option!
I love the unique textured look that applying concrete gave this fireplace! A really creative idea!
The before and after on this fireplace is truly epic - you have to check it out!
Have a stone fireplace that you don't love? Check this painted makeover out!
Little updates make a big difference on this fireplace makeover!
Is there a more timeless combination than a white fireplace with marble tile? A wonderful choice!
White washing the brick is a great way to totally change the look of a fireplace, on a budget!
German schmear is like a textured whitewash, and I just love the effect it gave this brick fireplace.
This is a great example of the transformative power of paint!
What are your favorite inexpensive diy fireplace makeover ideas?
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Hello, I’m Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I’ve transformed three homes and now I’m dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let’s turn your house into a home together!