What can I do with an old fireplace surround?

But if your mantel is looking a little tired there are lots of budget-friendly, practical tips to give it a makeover.

  1. Start by giving it a good clean.
  2. Brush it up with paint.
  3. Embrace the materials.
  4. Whitewash it.
  5. Tile in style.
  6. Fit a floating beam.
  7. Replace the mantelpiece.
  8. Try a faux fire.

How do you decorate an old fireplace mantel?

  1. Add an antiqued mirror to your mantel. Antiqued or distressed mirrors are a popular addition to fireplace mantels.
  2. Create more functionality with a large clock.
  3. Candelabras are a perfect addition to your vintage mantel decor.
  4. Add some books to your mantel.
  5. Adorn the space with plants.
  6. Go old-school with a large painting.

What was the original purpose of a fireplace mantel?

A mantel, also known as a fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, frames the opening of a fireplace and often covers part of the chimney breast. It was originally developed in the medieval period for functional purposes, to serve as a hood that would prevent smoke from entering the room, diverting it back into the chimney.

How do you modernize a traditional fireplace?

17 Fireplace Remodel Ideas

  1. Add Glass Fireplace Doors. A cozy fire on a cold night is a delight.
  2. Get Your Firebrick in Shape.
  3. Install a Mantel.
  4. Opt for a Salvaged Mantel.
  5. Add a Gas Fireplace.
  6. Put in a Fireplace Insert.
  7. Tile a Hearth.
  8. Choose the Right Tiles.

What can you do with a fireplace mantel?

Great Items for Fireplace Mantel Decorating

  • Picture frames.
  • Candlesticks.
  • Statues.
  • Vases.
  • Clocks.
  • Decorative boxes.
  • Framed prints, paintings, and mirrors (lean them against the back wall for a casual look, then layer smaller pieces in front of them)
  • Decorative plates (on stands)

How do you update a fireplace on a budget?

Learning to DIY: How to Update a Fireplace on a Budget

  1. Add a touch of paint. Gone are the days of design elements such as bold and bright red fireplaces and natural, oak-colored wall paneling and trim.
  2. Turn your brick to stone.
  3. Add a mantel.
  4. Think — and build — outside the box.
  5. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize.

How would Joanna Gaines decorate a mantel?

6 Tricks to Decorate a Mantel like Joanna Gaines

  1. Contrast. Having contrast in shape, size and color is very important.
  2. White Space. If you have too much on the mantel, it will seem congested and overwhelming.
  3. Asymmetry.
  4. Overlapping.
  5. Add a Mirror.
  6. Go Crazy Plant Lady.

What looks good on a fireplace mantel?

Why do old houses have fireplaces in the basement?

Basement hearths in early America were frequently associated with inns and taverns. They could also be found in houses of the wealthy that had domestic service. Most often, if a basement contained a fireplace, it was used as a kitchen for food preparation and cooking.

When did houses stop having fireplaces?

The last time more than half of all new homes were fireplace-free: 1974. “Perhaps the outdoor fire pit has become so popular that it satisfies all of our primal need for fire,” Stephen Melman, director of economic services for the National Association of Home Builders, wrote in an email.

How can I make my fireplace look nice?

Painting over red brick will make your hearth feel more modern, or give a wood mantel a fresh coat in a new color. Your fireplace can wear both neutral and bright hues equally, so go ahead and try something new. Feel free to fill it with something other than logs, too.