Light Up the Room: 7 Ideas for Renovating Your Fireplace

Your fireplace should be the star of the room, not its weakest link. As the weather cools and you get ready to cozy up, it's the perfect time to think about how a fireplace update could transform your living space.

Here are seven fireplace remodel ideas to inspire your next project.

1. Built-In or Floating Shelves

Flanking your fireplace with bookshelves or floating shelves adds storage and gives you more opportunities to decorate. Style the shelves with a mix of sizes, colors, shapes, textures and heights to frame the fireplace as the room's focal point.

2. Floor-to-Ceiling Surround

For a contemporary look, consider a fireplace surround that rises from floor to ceiling as a single, monochromatic mass. These modern designs usually skip the mantel and cover the entire wall for a bold, architectural statement.

3. Tile the Hearth

A tiled hearth in a contrasting color or pattern creates instant interest and can bring a welcome pop of color to an outdated fireplace.

4. Cast Stone Veneer

Cast stone veneer offers the timeless, rustic charm of natural stone at a fraction of the cost. It's lightweight, which simplifies installation, and it comes in a wide variety of styles and colors.

5. Classic White Columns

Sleek white pillars or columns can turn a fireplace into an elegant focal point. This look is especially well suited to traditional and classic homes.

6. Distressed Wood

For a warm, rustic feel, a distressed wood mantel or surround adds character and pairs beautifully with exposed beams or wood ceilings. It keeps the room cozy whether or not a fire is burning.

7. Convert to Gas

Today's gas fireplaces offer remarkably realistic logs and flames. They mean minimal cleanup, added safety and instant ambiance at the flip of a switch. For an efficient option, look at sealed direct vent models, which we cover in our post on green remodeling choices.

Ready to Renovate Your Fireplace?

Before you light the first fire of the season, be sure to have your chimney inspected and cleaned. Our winter home prep guide has more tips. For more inspiration, read our recent post on a fireplace remodel.

Let's make your fireplace the focal point. Call Tracy Tesmer Design and Remodeling at 678-450-1700 or contact our design-build team.