How to update your fireplace
The fireplace is often the centrepiece of any room, creating a focal point to your interior décor. But over time, you might find that your fireplace begins to look drab and dated, affecting the overall look of your home. The good news is that there are ways to update your fireplace to make it more contemporary or to tie the surround in with the rest of the room.
Tile the surround
Tiling is an easy way to update your fireplace quickly, and it’s a relatively simple job to complete even if you’re a novice. From natural slate to coloured porcelain tiles, you can create a multitude of looks with the wide range of tiles on the market, for a look that perfectly matches the theme and colour scheme of your room.
Tiles are easy to maintain, incredibly durable and deliver a professional, high-quality finish that will elevate your living room, bedroom or any other area of your home featuring a fireplace. Perhaps you want the elegance and sophistication of marble tiles or maybe you want the warmth of clay tiles – whatever material, pattern, size or colour you choose, tiles can update the look of your fireplace instantly.
Get creative with colour
Colour can make all the difference to a property, and it is an easy way to update your fireplace too. You can either paint parts of the fireplace itself, the surrounding wall or, if you have a wooden mantelpiece, you can add an accent colour to this area.
Many older models have brass inserts which have the potential to date the fireplace overall but painting these with a suitable paint can bring them back up to date. Alternatively, you might have a brick surround which you can paint in a neutral colour such as white, black or grey to add a modern edge that blends with the rest of your colour scheme.
Install a stone hearth
Stone hearths are a bigger investment, but if you’re looking to completely overhaul your fireplace, they’re a great solution. Stone has a timeless look, it’s incredibly tough and durable, and it provides the perfect balance between traditional and modern. A stone fireplace adds class to any space and it works with a wide range of décor styles, so whether you’re installing in a period property, a contemporary apartment or a mid-century home, it’s a material that works. What’s more, it can be styled in any way, regardless of your colour scheme.
There are several stone options to choose from that work well for statement fireplaces, such as granite, marble, limestone or slate, all of which can be used with gas or electric fires to suit your property. Stone hearths are easy to maintain and keep clean, making them a great option for any busy home.
Add a mantelpiece
You might not be up to the challenge of replacing the entire fireplace, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make impactful changes. In fact, simply changing out or adding a mantelpiece over your fireplace can make all the difference. It’s a simple but highly effective way to transform the space and there are several options to choose from.
You might want to add rustic charm and a traditional feel to the room with a wooden mantel, which can be kept natural or painted to blend in with your colour scheme, or you might want a marble mantel for an elegant look that’s not ostentatious. Style the mantel with accessories, plants or art to add colour and personality to the fireplace.
Your fireplace might be the focal point of your home, but you can still get creative when it comes to updating it. Whether you’ve moved into a property and are faced with the décor choices the previous owner made or you’ve decorated the rest of the property and have found the fireplace no longer fits your style, there are many reasons why you may need to give your fireplace an upgrade. Luckily, there are some effective ways to change up the look of a fireplace through colour, materials and features.
If you’ve been inspired to invest in a new fireplace surround or hearth for your property, the team at Chandler Stoneworks can help. We specialise in granite, marble and quartz products and work with clients to provide everything from worktops and tiles to stone fireplace surrounds – contact us today to find out more.
