Justpainting the fireplace surround and trim whiterefreshed this fireplace and makes the rich red brick really pop.
But the real statement-maker is the indoor garden that just about tumbles out of the firebox.
It’s a clever and easy way to turn a potential problema nonworking fireplaceinto a decorating asset.
Credit:Lisa Romerein; Interior Design: Heidi Caillier
However, it received more attention than it deserved due to its dark brown marble and traditional white mantelpiece.
A modern fireplace makeover streamlined the look and helped it blend in with the redesigned living room.
Gray-and-white Carrara marbletiles connect the fireplace surroundwith the room’s crisp, mostly neutral palette.
Credit:Courtesy of homeowner
The dark wood paneling and crumbling brick surround begged for a modern update.
A fireplace makeover gave the room a fresh look while preserving the home’s original leaded-glass windows.
Before: Plain White Fireplace
This bland fireplace design had no standout features.
Credit:Brie Williams; Interior design: Diana Mathews
With a plain white surround and mantel, it faded in with the room’s neutral walls.
Black tile now covers the hearth, while an MDF mantel provides a crisp border.
Thebrass fire screenreceived a coat of black high-heat spray paint.
Credit: Courtesy of homeowner
Before: Builder-Basic Fireplace
Covered in 12x12-inch tiles, this fireplace wall was unimpressive.
The area also featured painted drywall and basic cabinets that lacked personality and gave the room a builder-grade appearance.
Barn boards also replaced the standard-issues shelves, cabinet doors, and drawer fronts.
Credit: Jeff Herr
Ahand-hewn wood mantelcompletes the farmhouse look.
The white-washed mantel looked like an afterthought compared to the long expanses of wood bookshelves.
Overhead, dark wood beams made the ceiling feel closed-in.
Credit: Lisa Romerein
A new wall of desks and storage replaced the old bookcases.
The nondescript fireplace was an afterthought at best, another eyesore at worst.
A full-scale renovation ditched the dingy carpet and created a true focal point fireplace.
A simple wood beam mantel counters the streamlined tile, a balance found throughout the room’s modern-meets-rustic decor.
The purple tile clashed with the living room decor.
Empty wall space surrounding the fireplace desperately needed design direction.
Credit: Seth Smoot
After: Perfect Balance
Ditching the existing squat mantel led the way for a complete fireplace remodel.
Before: Rustic Fireplace
All-over pine paneling gave this living room a cramped and dated appearance.
Topped with a clunky mantel, the red brick fireplace stood out, but not in a good way.
Credit: Courtesy of homeowner
The room’s rustic cabin look did not fit with the California home’s beachy location.
A minimalistic mantel echoes the room’s modern sense.
Contemporary armchairs and a slipcovered sofa now offer cozy seating around the hearth.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Tearing out the brick provided space for a more modern fireplace that includes added storage and style.
The built-ins provide both open and closed storage, as well as a spot for the TV.
A sleek gray fireplace surround and contemporary artwork above modernize the living space.
Credit: Ed Gohlich
High-temperature spray paint gave the dated firebox surround a fresh finish.
A rustic wood beam mantel crowns the fireplace makeover and isready to receive a display of beautiful accessories.
Inside the fireplace, fire glass shimmers, enhancing the spark of the newly revived fireplace.
Credit: Anthony Masterson
Before: Blank Canvas
A fireplace renovation was on the remodeling to-do list for this run-down cottage.
A dull color palette gave the fireplace little chance to stand out.
The remodeled fireplace hosts a revolvingcollection of art printsand antique store finds.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Before: Empty Space
The empty walls next to this fireplace were begging for a purpose.
They overshadowed the firebox and made it look awkwardly small.
With no mantel and a lackluster surround, this hearth was in major need of a fireplace remodel.
Credit: David Patterson
After: Storage Central
The walls around the fireplace were updated to use as much-needed storage space.
Newbookshelves provide opportunities to display collectiblesand other decorative items.
Cabinets below the shelves' built-in niches offer hideaway space for personal items.
Plus, thesoot-covered fireboxwas in major need of a cleaning and some fireplace brick TLC.
After: Bright and Open
Faux stacked limestone clads the now-updated fireplace.
Plus, because it’s lightweight, it requires no additional floor support.
Credit: Kimberly Gavin
The wall-to-ceiling limestone fireplace complements the modern atmosphere of the room.
This mantel got lost in all the bulky shelves surrounding it.
And with no practical reason for the excessive number of shelves, some drastic fireplace makeover ideas were necessary.
Credit: Courtesy of homeowner
Before: Washed-Out and Plain
The color combination of cream-on-white left this fireplace washed-out and boring.
Neutral walls and lackluster molding removed any charm.
Devoid any personality, this space needed a drastic fireplace makeover.
Credit: Edmund Barr
The black and stone combination gives the fireplace refacing an upscale look and feel.
Before: Dark Ages Fireplace
This room’s dreary decor carried over to its very boring fireplace.
Wood panels and exposed brick were dark and dismal.
Credit: Courtesy of homeowner
Bybalancing a full wood-paneled wallwith bright white walls, the room became open and airy.
The wood and white combo creates an updated rustic look.
Before: Broken to Bits
This entire living room was in shambles.
Credit: Paul Dyer
And at the top of the to-do list was to refinish the fireplace.
The wood on the fireplace was in bad shape, as was the brick fireplace surround.
The homeowners had to come up with a creative solution to turn something worn into something beautiful.
Credit: Edmund Barr
An ill-placed statue drew some attention to the space in an unattractive way.
A new mantel andtile surroundgave it a fresh face.
See how this stuck-in-the-past fireplace became an up-to-date showstopper with a few smart updates.
Credit: Edmund Barr
And to top it all off, the unfinished wood mantel looked completely out of place.
A wood surround enhances the look.
Classic-lined built-ins integrate the fireplace, bookshelves, and an entertainment unit.
Credit: Jeff Herr
Too much furniture and a missing focal point gave the room little purpose.
Relocating the fireplace, along with a few fireplace makeover ideas, gave the room new life and function.
Sandstone adorns the surround and blends beautifully with the built-in cabinets.
Credit: Jeff Herr
The new fireplace can now be seen from the adjacent dining and living room.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Credit: Edmund Barr
Credit: Edmund Barr
Credit: Edmund Barr
Credit: Michael Partenio
Credit: Michael Partenio
Credit: Jon Jensen
Credit: Jon Jensen
Credit: Michael Partenio
Credit: Gordon Beall
Credit: Gordon Beall
Credit: Tria Giovan
Credit: Tria Giovan
Credit: James Yochum
Credit: James Yochum
Credit: Courtesy of Homeowner
Credit: Emily Minton-Redfield
