How to Give Your Old Fireplace Surround a New Lease on Life

Fireplaces are a great addition to any home. They are a big selling point when people are looking to buy a new home. Everyone knows there's nothing better than relaxing in front of a warm and toasty fire after a long day out in the working world.

But what if your fireplace surround and mantel look, well, just plain ugly? Don't get discouraged. With just a few simple tips and a little hard work, you can turn that old fireplace into a masterpiece.

If you just want an easy and quick change to a boring brick fireplace, try spicing it up with paint. Yes, fireplaces can be painted. Pick a color that will stand out. You don't have to go with basic black or white. The fireplace is often the focal point of a room anyway, so why not make it stand out even more? You could use a darker shade of the wall color or use the color of your accessories. Paint the mantel a darker shade still, or even black.

You may want to be a little daring and try changing the actual cosmetic structure of the fireplace. You might want to cover the old fireplace surround up with something new and different. For example, you might want to cover it with marble or ceramic tiles. This will entail a lot more work than painting, but can be well worth the effort. A marble or ceramic surround can completely change the look of a fireplace. It can give it a more modern or updated look.

You could also update your fireplace surround by covering it with wood or changing out your mantel. A new oak mantel adds instant warmth and style to an old fireplace. You can buy these mantels ready made, stained or unstained. The more money you can spend, the more elaborate you can get.

Of course if you don't want to paint the brick or replace the entire mantel, then you could try something as simple as changing the fireplace screen or removing it completely. Adding or changing the fireplace accessories can also make a visual change in the looks of the fireplace.

Whatever your goal is for your fireplace, you can achieve it with just some simple ideas, a little bit of money, time, and the determination to create a new and different fireplace.