10 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Fireplace

Inject some color into your living room by painting your fireplace mantel a bold color, like sage green. This will add personality and brighten up a neutral space. Incorporate the new mantel color in accessories like throw pillows and artwork. This will make your living room flow together and make your design choices look intentional.

Breathe new life into your fireplace by giving the brick surround a fresh coat of paint. Whether you do a full coat or go with more of a washed look, paint will give the brick an updated look. Opt for bright white or choose a fun color — either way, paint will give your brick fireplace a fresh look.

Instead of painting the actual fireplace, paint the wall behind it to create an instant focal point. Painting an entire room is a big project, but you can paint just one wall in a few hours and make a big impact. Add a pair of cozy armchairs in front of the fireplace to create the perfect spot to relax and watch the latest episode of The Weekender.

Flank your fireplace with a pair of tall bookshelves for a custom built-in look without the custom built-in price. Put a pair of accent lights above each bookshelf to illuminate the area and highlight your favorite knick-knacks. Install a battery-operated puck light inside the fixtures so you won’t have to worry about hardwiring anything.

Create an accent wall that will wow your guests with the help of a few rolls of wallpaper. Choose a pattern in a light neutral color for a subtle pop of character. Installing wallpaper is easier than ever thanks to peel-and-stick varieties. This is one project even the most inexperienced DIYer can handle. And removing it is even easier in case you find a different pattern you love even more later on.

Beef up a slim fireplace mantel by wrapping it with plywood to mimic the look of a chunky wood beam. If the new wood looks too perfect, ding it up a little with a hammer before installing it to add character. This simple upgrade will work in any style of living room from rustic farmhouse to one that’s sleek and modern.

Dip your toes in the shiplap trend without diving in head first. Add a few shiplap panels to your fireplace to give your living room a hint of rustic farmhouse charm. Caulk the seams between the shiplap, fill any nail holes and give the panels a quick coat of paint. These extra steps will make your fireplace look professional and complete.

Paint the area directly below the mantel to give your living room a modern color block effect. Choose a dark shade, like charcoal gray, to add richness and warmth to an otherwise neutral living room. The contrast between the dark paint and white walls is sure to make your fireplace the star of the room.

If you're itching to update your fireplace but aren't ready to add color with paint, try a coat of stain instead. This is a great solution for fireplace mantels made of reclaimed wood or with intricate wood details that you want to highlight. Choosing a stain color is almost as hard as picking a paint color though, so test a few different shades on a scrap piece of wood before making a final decision. Each color stain, from cherry tints to dark chocolate brown ones, will give your living room a different look.

While this option may be a bit more labor-intensive, the results are well worth the effort. Patterned tile will turn a plain fireplace into a work of art. Choose a fireplace tile with a pattern that has neutral tones that coordinate with items already in the space, like throw pillows and curtains, so you won't feel the need to completely redecorate.

If your place doesn’t have a built-in fireplace, you can still achieve maximum coziness levels with an electric fireplace. They even put out heat and have the realistic flicker of a blazing fire, so no one will know it’s not original to the house. You’ll also never have to worry about putting another log on the fire or bother with any cleanup. This might just be the best of both worlds.