Hey friends! Thank you for all the comments, emails and Instagram messages with suggestions on my fireplace post. I appreciated every idea.
Today I’m sharing five fireplace makeover ideas and sources of inspiration.
How can you update the fireplace you already have to give it a fresh, new look?
I was glad to hear many of you love the room and fireplace as it is. Several readers suggested keeping the original charm — whether that means leaving the stone, embracing a cottage feel, or appreciating the simplicity of the current look. Others pointed out that a fresh coat of paint can be an easy, inexpensive update, and it’s something I’ve been happy with after my own paint makeover.
If you missed my earlier post about the painted fireplace, I shared that update recently and have been content with the result. Paint alone can often modernize an outdated fireplace without major work.
Sometimes a new arrangement of art and accessories is all it takes. It’s always inspiring to explore creative ways to love the fireplace you have. I’m still deciding whether I’ll leave ours as-is or make additional changes — probably something will evolve soon, but the final plan is undecided.
You shared so many great ideas, and many matched options I already had in my inspiration files. It’s reassuring to see similar visions for what an updated fireplace could look like. Below are a few directions to consider; they might spark an idea for your home or mine.
1. Keep original stone and add a wood mantel
One popular suggestion was adding a rustic wood mantel while keeping the original stone. The fireplace featured on Farmhouse Living extends to the ceiling, so it isn’t identical, but the stone texture is similar and shows how a substantial mantel can warm the look while preserving existing materials.
2. Add trim and a mantel to cover part of the existing brick
Chris Loves Julia remodeled their fireplace by leaving the existing brick and hearth but adding trim, a new mantel, and paint to even the brick tone. This approach updates the appearance without a full demolition and can create a more refined, cohesive focal point.
If your fireplace has stacked stone or brick, covering part of it with trim and paint may be an effective compromise between keeping original character and achieving a cleaner look.
3. Reframe and build out to change the profile
A reader suggested building a new frame over the existing fireplace to completely change its profile without removing stone. This lets you cover the stone, raise the fireplace to the ceiling, or create a new surround that better suits the room. It’s a flexible option that can dramatically alter the space while minimizing demolition.
I’ve played with mockups like this in the past — covering the fireplace and extending it to the ceiling is an idea I’ve considered for a long time. Instead of built-ins, you could use floating wood shelves and refaced bookcases to echo materials from other rooms, creating a cohesive, updated look.
Built-ins on either side can complete the look, tying the fireplace into the surrounding cabinetry and shelving for a unified design.
4. Reface with concrete and wood
Another modern option is to float a smooth concrete or plaster finish over the existing fireplace and extend a new texture above the mantel. This creates a transitional, streamlined look. A smooth white plaster or floated cement can simplify the surface and give the fireplace a fresh, contemporary presence without a large budget.
Smearing cement over old brick is an affordable way to modernize a dated fireplace; a tile installer can often float the brick with cement for a clean finish.
5. Add a thick white mantel
A simpler update is to install a deep, white mantel on the existing surround. A substantial mantel can anchor artwork and accessories, giving you more styling options while keeping the fireplace understated within a monochromatic palette. This is an easy change that can shift the focal emphasis without extensive work.
Our current mantel is shallow, so adding a deeper shelf would immediately increase display space and alter the visual weight of the surround.
I know asking the internet for suggestions about your home feels risky, but your thoughtful responses have felt like friends weighing in — thank you for the help and encouragement!
PS: We remodeled a fireplace at our previous home, changing it from shiny black tile to a cottage-inspired stacked stone. Small changes like paint, a new mantel, or a refacing can make a big difference. I’ll keep sharing updates as ideas evolve.
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