DIY fireplace makeover ideas

Is your fireplace set-up feeling a little lacklustre? As we trudge from autumn to winter, the last thing you want is to look at your fire and feel nothing but boredom.

Coming home to a roaring stove is one of the cosiest ways to spend your evenings. But when the atmosphere is burning low, it could be time for some fireplace makeover ideas. 

These DIY fixes are the best ways to refresh a drab mantel. From making your fireplace the star of the show to stripping things back to basics, Fires2U’s tips are sure to breathe life into your lounge. 

(P.S. If you’re on the hunt for an entirely new appliance, we’ve got you covered! Shop our gas fires, electric fireplaces and stoves today). 

PROBLEM: Fireplace isn’t the focal point 

Homeowners who have invested time and money into their fireplaces should want it to be the first thing people see when they enter the room – the focal point! But as TVs and gaming consoles take over our living rooms, it can be all too easy to neglect our fireplaces. 

Having an entertainment area that competes with your fireplace can lead to a lack of balance. If there’s an obvious disconnect between the two, fully enjoying either can be hard. So, how can you prevent your fire from becoming an afterthought? 

SOLUTION: Media wall integration 

Media wall fires are the ultimate solution to this problem. These appliances (electric-powered appliances) are excellent for placing underneath a TV. 

Many of these models can be installed as a single glass-fronted wall inset fire, a 2-sided left/right configuration, or even a 3-sided fire! 

While this is one of the more structurally complex tips on our list (and may require a small amount of professional help), it’s worth it to make your room all the more harmonious. Enjoy the glow of your LED flames while settling in for a night of binge-watching TV. 

PROBLEM: Plain fireplace 

Is there something missing from your fireplace that you can’t quite put your finger on? Maybe the colour of your hearth feels off, or perhaps it’s your surround. It could just be that you haven’t put enough of your personality into the decor. 

While it’s true that minimalism is sophisticated, not adding your own personal effects into the mix can create a dull, ‘showroom’ feeling. 

SOLUTION: Decoration! 

It’s time to dig through your memory box! Home is where the heart is, and decorating your mantel and walls with memories can make your fireplace all the more special. Use decorative frames to display photos of family, friends or pieces from your favourite artists. 

You could use houseplants for a pop of greenery or arrange cherished ornaments on your mantel. It’s the simple touches that are often the most effective.

PROBLEM: Overwhelming 

On the flip side, you may have too much happening with your fireplace. 

Visual clutter can be very distracting, and it may be preventing you from enjoying your fireplace. Clashing wall prints or an overwhelming number of items on your mantel can take away from your fire’s natural beauty. 

SOLUTION: Simplify 

If this sounds like you, it’s time to go back to basics. Dedicate a day to stripping back your fireplace decorations to the bare minimum. Decide: what decorations do you like the most? What items could you do without? A bit of organisation can go a long way! 

PROBLEM: Incompatible surround

As homeowners, we may cycle through one or two fireplaces in our lifetime. During these years, it’s highly likely that our tastes will change. 

The surround that came with our original fireplace may no longer be compatible with your new model, particularly if you’ve gone from an old gas fire to a new electric fire. 

SOLUTION: Change your surround 

In which case, it’s time for an upgrade! Some fireplace makeovers are a long time coming, and purchasing a new surround can be a great way to modernise your home. Surrounds are available in many materials, from cast iron to marble, limestone and pine. 

Shop for wood-burning stoves, electric fires and gas fireplaces with Fires2U today!

Our fireplace makeover ideas are all about taking what you already have and making it look better. That could involve adding more, taking away, combining or replacing elements of your set-up that no longer work for you. 

It could even mean replacing your fire altogether. If your current fireplace is nearing the end of its useful life, make the switch today! At Fires2U, we offer unbeatable prices on industry-leading brands like Portway Stoves, Celsi Fires, and Solus Electric Fires.