15 Fireplace Makeover Ideas On A Budget

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An old, neglected, worn-out fireplace quickly makes the room dull, tired, and even an eye sore. Unfortunately, the cost of installing a new fireplace can be pretty steep, making such a project unfeasible. But guess what? You could give your current fireplace a budget-friendly makeover.

There are plenty of appealing ideas to update your fireplace, turning it into a beautiful, captivating focal point without spending much money. Giving your fireplace a makeover will revitalize and enhance your living space.

With that said, keep reading to discover 15 budget-friendly fireplace makeover ideas for your next project.

15 Fireplace Makeover Ideas On A Budget

1. Fresh Paint

Painting your fireplace is among the easiest and most affordable fireplace makeover ideas. You can choose a neutral color such as grey or white for a simple, timeless, luxurious look or a vibrant hue to make a bold statement.

Alternatively, go for a two-tone design by painting the mantel and surround in complementary shades. A fresh coat of paint instantly gives a fresh look to a wooden, brick, or stone fireplace.

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2. Whitewash The Bricks

Is your brick fireplace looking old and outdated? Breathe life into it by whitewashing the bricks. This simple technique will give your fireplace a weathered, rustic, textured, charming look. Pair your whitewashed fireplace with a wooden mantel.

You can also add greenery to give your fireplace area more color. Shades of cream, grey, and white are suitable for whitewashing bricks. Pick a color that will go well with the bricks’ original color and match the mortar’s color.

3. Upgrade The Mantel

You can make a great deal of difference to your fireplace’s appearance by upgrading the mantel. Swap the current mantel with a new one that fits your aesthetic goals. For instance, a wooden mantel oozes warmth and a rustic charm and suits farmhouse, coastal, and industrial styles.

Upgrading your fireplace mantel doesn’t have to be costly. Keep the design simple and source the materials cheaply from secondhand shops, salvage yards, or repurpose what you already have.

4. Incorporate Shiplap

The wooden planks with slightly overlapping grooved edges of shiplap offer an easy and cheap way to give an outdated fireplace a clean, structured appearance. You can incorporate shiplap into a fireplace in different ways.

For example, you can put shiplap panels on the area above the mantel. The surround is also an excellent place to install shiplap.

Choose shiplap in colors that suit your fireplace and the room’s aesthetics. White shiplap is perfect for farmhouse chic style, while pastel-painted shiplap suits a coastal-themed house. On the other hand, black shiplap works superbly in a modern, contemporary space.

5. Upgrade Your Fireplace with Peel-and-Stick Tiles

Constructing a fireplace surround using real tiles can get expensive, and such a project can be complex. Fortunately, there’s a significantly cheaper and simpler solution—peel-and-stick tiles. They come in a wide range of designs, such as ceramic, stone, marble, and intricate mosaics.

Peel-and-stick tiles are super easy to install. Just peel off the protective backing and then adhere the tile to the surface, making sure you don’t leave any air bubbles. You can use peel-and-stick tiles on your fireplace’s backsplash or surround.

I recommend peel-and-stick tiles if you tend to give your fireplace a makeover frequently. It also suits renters. Upgrading your fireplace with peel-and-stick tiles is a fun, beginner-friendly project.

6. Use Faux Stone Veneer

Consider faux stone veneer if you love natural stone but are on a budget. Aside from being more affordable, faux stone veneer is available in different colors, designs, textures, and finishes to suit individual styles.

It is also lightweight hence easier to handle than real stone. In addition, faux stone is a hard material made to last and is resistant to shock, stains, and wear.

Faux stone veneer is safe to use around your fireplace because it is inflammable and heat resistant. Cleaning it is also pretty easy—just wiping it keeps it clean. It also stays new and beautiful look for a long time.

7. A New Fireplace Screen

Putting a new screen on your fireplace may seem like a small thing, but it can really dress it up and give it a fresh look. Choose a screen that matches the overall décor and highlights the fireplace. Iron and steel screens are durable and sturdy and exude a classic look.

On the other hand, brass screens are luxurious, glass screens are sleek and modern, while bronze and copper screens are rustic. Pick a folding screen if you want something you can easily move and a single panel screen for a more permanent installation.

8. Add Removable Wallpaper

Wallpaper can do wonders for your fireplace regarding its appearance, and the best part is that it’s cheap to buy and install. You can try differently colored, patterned, and textured wallpaper. For instance, some removable wallpapers resemble wood, stone, or brick.

For a touch of glamour, consider golden, copper, or silver metallic wallpaper. Geometric, patterned, and floral wallpapers give off an artistic, fun flair and look great on accent walls.

Below are the different ways to give your fireplace a makeover with removable wallpaper:

• Flank your fireplace with wallpaper and paint the fireplace a color that complements the wallpaper.
• Put wallpaper on the wall above the fireplace and the areas surrounding it.
• Cover the panels around your fireplace with wallpaper instead of wallpapering the entire fireplace or the surrounding walls.
• Use wallpaper as a backdrop for a freestanding fireplace.
• Wrap the entire room, including the fireplace, facing with wallpaper.

You don’t need paste to install removable wallpaper. Another upside is that it peels off easily without damaging the surface.

9. Paint The Firebox Black

Give your fireplace a simple but dramatic makeover by painting the firebox black. This look works splendidly on a white fireplace. A black firebox is timeless, clean, and modern. The black also accentuates the flames, making the space ambient and inviting.

A simple firebox paint job won’t cost but will yield desirable results. Use heat-resistant paint for this project and give it a nice finish. Options include matte, gloss, and satin. Pair this firebox with a lovely mantel, or go for a mantel-free design.

Consider mounting a TV above the mantel to enhance the look.

10. Install Lighting

Adding lighting to your fireplace is a quick and cheap way of modernizing this space. Placing lights around your fireplace thoughtfully helps to highlight your fireplace’s features, such as the stylish surround, décor, and beautiful mantel.

You can incorporate lighting into your fireplace in various ways. These include:

• Mount light sconces on either side of your fireplace.
• Place LED strip lighting around the mantel, beneath the hearth, along the surround, or around the shelving.
• Install lights on your fireplace’s base.
• Set up LED candles on the mantel or the hearth.

Pair fireplace lighting with a fresh coat of paint.

11. Update The Hearth with Tiles

Use leftover tiles from a different project to give your fireplace hearth a new look. If you don’t have any tiles at home, source them economically by buying tile remnants or discounted tiles.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match different colors and patterns because the outcome can be truly unique. Avoid paying for labor and keep the expenses low by installing the tiles yourself.

12. Highlight Your Fireplace with A Wooden Trim

Elevate your fireplace’s aesthetics without breaking the bank by adding a wooden trim to frame the entire place. A wooden trim pairs perfectly with a tile surround as it helps draw attention to the tile’s texture and color.

A wooden trim is also easily customizable since you can stain or paint it any color or even leave it as it is for a natural look.

13. Stain The Wooden Parts

This cheap, easy-to-execute idea will transform your fireplace by highlighting the wood’s natural color and textures and elevating the whole space. Stain any parts of your fireplace that are made of wood.

You can stain wood yourself to avoid the cost of hiring a professional, but only if you can handle this project. Since stains penetrate wood, they offer a long-lasting finish that doesn’t succumb to peeling.

14. Add Floating Shelves

Is your fireplace looking a bit bare on its sides or above the mantel? Consider adding floating shelves to tie the space together and provide storage. Use old wood pieces around your home to create your fireplace shelves, or find reclaimed wood and build them yourself.

Paint the shelves in a color that matches or complements the fireplace and use it to display decorative items.

15. Decorate Seasonally

Sometimes, a fireplace makeover can be as simple as introducing seasonal decorations. With this idea, your fireplace will look new and exciting every season. For instance, adorn your winter fireplace with Christmas décor and snowy accents.

In contrast, floral arrangements take center stage in spring, while fall décor includes vibrant foliage, pumpkins, gourds, and squashes. Candles, lanterns, beach-inspired décor, and flowers are summer decorations.

Summary

A small budget is sufficient to turn your boring fireplace into a fabulous space. You need to source the materials strategically, look into undertaking the project yourself, and keep it simple but impactful. You don’t have to be a professional to undertake the above fireplace makeover ideas.