How to Update Your Fireplace – 7 Easy & Affordable Ideas

Modernize your fireplace on a budget.

Is your fireplace outdated and boring? Have you been wanting to give it a facelift, but can’t afford a full makeover? If so, then get ready to give your fireplace a swift kick in the ash…

That’s right, it’s update time! 

Now, of course, some ideas blow the bank – ideas like recladding your fireplace with new stone, brick, or surrounding it with built-ins…these aren’t those kinds of ideas.

These ideas are budget-friendly and DIY-friendly. Not only should they save you money, but these ideas will also add some serious visual and emotional value to your home.

1. PAINT ANY BRASS DETAILS

Nothing kills a beautiful brick or stone fireplace more than an outdated brass surround. Luckily, most brass surrounds have removable pieces. However, some surrounds have odd details built into the frame, making them a bit more finicky but not impossible to paint.

HOW TO UPDATE THE BRASS SURROUND ON A FIREPLACE

All the steps must be followed to a tee (and I am watching…).

STEP 1: Sand with fine-grit sandpaper

If the original surface is shiny, new paint won’t adhere properly – you need a roughed-up surface for the paint to stick to. High-grit sandpaper should be used to etch the surface without carving it (kind of like giving your skin a light exfoliation).

And like your Mom always says, ‘Remember to give it a good wipe when you’re done!’ 

STEP 2: Heat-resistant spray primer 

When spray painting, fine/thin coats are essential to avoid drips and build-up. It’s also important that this paint is heat-resistant, rather than flammable (for obvious reasons). 

STEP 3: Heat-resistant spray paint 

Again, the paint needs to be heat-resistant, and nothing I’ve found works as well as this Rustoleum product, as it’s actually a BBQ paint and works like a hot damn (literally and figuratively).

A matte finish is usually the best option, as a glossy finish can look a bit abrasive/harsh.

Remember, paint can take three weeks to properly cure – be very careful with your painted pieces when reattaching them.

BTW, with all of these update ideas, it never hurts to get a second opinion if you are unsure of any of the above. My advice is based on personal ‘hands-on’ experience, and I’m not a tradesperson nor an employee of a paint/hardware store – I’m just a crazy lil Ginger who likes to paint stuff.

2. COVER IT WITH PEEL & STICK TILES

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to update your old fireplace tile, peel-and-stick tiles are a great way to get a fresh new look (on a budget). Of course, this idea won’t work going over a more textured stone surface, but it’s great over old tile!

While this next fireplace isn’t updated with peel-and-stick tiles, there are tiles out there that look VERY similar…

In the above photo, notice that we also took the dated round details off the supports, giving the mantel a more updated look.

Here are some gorgeous peel-and-stick tiles to get your creative juices flowing…

1. Natural Stone Chevron Pattern Tile
2. 2×4 mosaic marble tile
3. Dark Charcoal Peel and Stick Tile
4. Warm Travertine Tile
5. Mother of Pearl Tile

Keep in mind, this isn’t necessarily a FOREVER solution – this is a ‘for now’ solution.

In the ideal world, we would ALL start from scratch and use products that are in it for the long haul. However, ‘starting from scratch’ can cost serious scratch. This is really a great idea if your fireplace surround is fugly, but not forever, and you’d like something to get you by for a few years!

BTW, I say the above to be on the safe side, but at the same time, you might get 10 – 20 years out of it! I just trust it less as it’s not applied with traditional mortar/grout. 

3. PAINT YOUR MANTEL & SURROUND

A wood mantel is not necessarily a ‘good’ mantel. If it’s outdated and doesn’t match your decor, it won’t do you or your home’s aesthetics any favors. On the other hand, if it’s white and you’re looking to make a change, painting it a dramatic color can add some immediate impact to your space. Let’s flashback to one of my favorite Kylie-isms…

Just because it’s WOOD, doesn’t mean it’s GOOD. 

If you even THINK about painting this wood mantel – 3 slaps with a very wet noodle for you! 

In this next photo, if you have a good mantel design, this look can be achieved using update ideas #1 and #2…

The Best Medium to Dark Gray-Blue Paint Colors

Examples of good wood mantels that suit the room they’re in…

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray

Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige

And remember, fireplaces don’t need to be over-the-top to look FABULOUS…

The 5 Types of White Paint Colors

The Best Paint Colors to Update Your BRICK Fireplace

4. SEAL YOUR STONE OR BRICK

Whether you have old brick, modern river rock, or a 1980s black slate hearth, all can change color/tone when sealed (assuming they aren’t already sealed).

In these next photos, these fireplaces are definitely contenders for sealant, if the homeowner’s so inclined…

To see what your fireplace would look like when sealed, fill a spray bottle with water and spray a section of the fireplace. Keep in mind that many sealants won’t have the ‘sheen’ that water makes. However, they can still create the ‘depth of color’ needed to see a noticeable change.

There are the odd stone & brick products that don’t respond to water or sealing, and this is usually because a) they’re not natural products, or b) they’ve already been sealed.

Some stone sealing products have a sheen. Usually, the more sheen, the more enhanced the colors will be. However, you ALSO don’t want shiny rocks or bricks, so keep moderation in mind.

5. ADD SOME SHIPLAP OR MOLDINGS

Admittedly, this project takes a bit more blood, sweat, n’ beers, and isn’t for the faint of heart. However, if you’ve got the tools, adding shiplap (on a small scale) can be a great way to add personality to your fireplace.

While shiplap is a trend that’s on its way out, if used in the right home, on a small scale, you can still get a lot of decorative power from it. Heck, I have it in my home and it ain’t going anywhere.

In this next home, while I was consulting on wall colors, I noticed that my client’s fireplace and built-ins looked a bit outdated…

I suggested she paint the ENTIRE WALL the same color and sheen, and it worked like a hot damn…

The Best Dark Greige & Taupe Paint Colors

LARGER-SCALE MOLDING ON FIREPLACES

Then, of course, there are larger-scale molding applications – again, maybe not a great DIY (unless you’re insanely handy or extremely brave).

All the same, if you want a little inspiration or eye-candy, here are a few beauties…

Sherwin Williams Balanced Beige

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Sherwin Williams Dovetail

6. PAINT OR WHITEWASH YOUR BRICK OR STONE

Yes, men around the world are cursing my name – it won’t be the first time my face is featured on a dartboard (I’d prefer to be in a calendar, if you catch my drift).

These days, you may notice a wide range of trends coming back in style; trends you never thought (or hoped) you’d see again. However, you don’t see as many bricks being resurrected (although there are a few that are classic and should be left as-is – I’m a BIG fan of these).

A brick fireplace like this will always have my heart.

This next living room is an example of what some whitewashed stones can potentially look like…

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray walls

This next stone fireplace is a tricky one, as its warmth and saturation can limit wall color choices. While whitewashing won’t change a LOT, it would definitely calm things down…

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As for this next fireplace, while the owner doesn’t love the warm brown stonework, it actually has some great colors. However, you need to love the home you live in, and this homeowner plans to whitewash the stone to soften its look…

Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Whitewashing is a popular look right now as it lets a lot of the texture and undercolor show without having the full-color commitment of the original product.

Just keep in mind, that many bricks, when covered in a whitewash, look a bit pinkish (particularly red or darker purplish bricks).

These next photos show beautifully painted stone fireplaces…

Benjamin Moore White Dove on both stone fireplaces, Ballet White on the drywall of the bottom photo 

7. SURROUND IT WITH THE RIGHT WALL COLOR

Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with a fireplace at all – it just has bad friends!

This is why one of the FIRST places I look when updating a fireplace is the surrounding walls. Now, don’t get me wrong, most of these fireplaces shown below are friggin’ gorgeous. However, part of that magic is in the wall color…

When choosing a paint color for your walls, one of the best places to get inspiration isn’t your fireplace tile or stone; it’s the mortar or grout surrounding it.

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

If you need help finding the best paint color to go with your fireplace, you know where to find me (NO, not Starbucks or the liquor store). 

The Best Light Taupe Paint Colors

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