There's something deeply comforting about staring into a fire and feeling its warmth. It's what's behind the timeless appeal of a fireplace.
Today, most homes don't depend on a fireplace for heating, so fireplace makeovers focus instead on contributing to a room's sense of style. While still adding cozy warmth, a well-designed fireplace—along with the mantel, surround, and hearth—can reinvigorate the ambiance of almost any living space.
Whether you want to create a new fireplace or do a makeover for one that's already there, the best time is when you're already planning a home remodeling project. That allows you to most effectively incorporate a fireplace into your home's interior design.
In this post, we'll give an overview of the different types and styles of fireplaces. We'll also share six top ideas for a fireplace remodel to stoke your creativity when planning your own remodeling project.
When installing or upgrading a fireplace, you can choose from three main types: wood-burning, gas, and electric.
The most traditional kind of fireplace is built for burning real wood, creating the crackling sound that we know and love. Burning wood gives off significant heat, and no other type of fireplace offers the same natural, cozy, and authentic feel.
Some of the downsides to using a wood fireplace are that it takes longer to get started, is subject to greater temperature fluctuations, and requires more vigilance and frequent cleaning. Some types of wood give off dangerous sparks, and you'll need storage space for dry wood if you make fires often.
These fireplaces turn on at the flick of a switch and give off steady, consistent heat with no sparks and no need to add logs. Maintenance is minimal, and you can choose from vented or ventless options, although I would recommend choosing vented for extra safety.
However, the flame feels less authentic compared to a wood fire. Although this kind of fireplace can add ambiance, it's not as homey or inviting. You also need a gas line to hook it up, which can be expensive to move or install.
Although we call them fireplaces, electric models don't have a real flame. Instead, they use electricity to generate heat and have LED lighting to create a flame-like effect. They are an eco-friendly option that looks sleek and may be worth considering for a fireplace renovation, but we tend to find that their lack of ambiance limits their appeal.
Fireplace design can drive visual interest. Whether tucked in a corner or front and center as a stunning focal point, a fireplace contributes to the vibe and aesthetic of any room.
From an interior design perspective, it's not just the fireplace that commands attention, but also the fireplace surround, mantel, and hearth.
With the ability to select different materials, colors, and textures for each of these elements, fireplace makeover ideas are nearly unlimited. However, design ideas can generally be broken down into three main styles.
The traditional red brick fireplace is the most emblematic example of a rustic style, but other materials like stone and wood can fit with the look as well.
It's important to clarify that rustic doesn't mean dingy or run-down. A fireplace makeover can sharpen up a plain fireplace, giving it new life while maintaining an unembellished surround and mantel.
For a remodel, the rustic style works great in a living room, creating a cozy and welcoming vibe where your family can gather.
A more modern fireplace strives for an elegant look, often with refaced brick, smooth stone veneers, or wood paneling. With a sleek and stylish mantel, this style looks great in a living room or study.
This modern design is highly adaptable. You can choose materials that fit in with a darker room, such as one with hardwoods like walnut or mahogany. With lighter materials and colors, a modern fireplace can suit a room with lots of natural light.
Contemporary fireplaces offer a reimagined design that can encompass a wider range of materials and colors, especially for the fireplace surround.
Often, a contemporary fireplace makeover involves a minimalist approach with clean lines enhanced by smooth materials like marble, granite, and polished stone. Other materials like shiplap, tile, reclaimed wood, and painted or refaced brick can also be found in contemporary designs.
But not every contemporary fireplace is minimalist. Some create pop with contrasting materials and accent colors. For example, you might see a dark, painted brick fireplace with a white surround, white walls, and a wood mantel. Or a solid-color tile fireplace juxtaposed against a surround and hearth of patterned large-format tiles.
Given the huge range of design options, a contemporary fireplace makeover can be designed for almost any room, although a living room still tends to be the most popular choice.
Having covered the basics of fireplace design, we'll highlight six examples that we hope can jog ideas for your home remodeling project.
This remodel revamped an existing fireplace, creating a modern and elegant feel. A floor-to-ceiling stone surround is complemented by vertical wood planks and a matching wood mantel.
The flat-screen TV blends into the overall design, making this a space where you can sit and chat or put on a movie. Ample natural light is complemented by the lighter stone and allows for attractive finishings like the lamps and chandelier.
In this unique family room, an indoor fireplace is connected via glass doors to an adjacent outdoor space with a fire pit.
Inside, a white marble fireplace is a focal point that contrasts with a mantel, wall, shelves, and furniture that are all dark. Yet abundant natural light from the sliding doors keeps the space feeling open, and warm interior lighting complements the flickering flames.
A compact fireplace can create a romantic setting in your primary bedroom. In this remodel, a corner fireplace has a modern look.
For this option, we generally recommend a gas fireplace since it is cleaner and doesn't require having a nearby space for storage of wood and fireplace tools.
If you want to add a display space for photos or flowers, a mantel could fit it nicely, but it can also be left out for a sleeker aesthetic.
Most historic homes have at least one fireplace that's ripe for an upgrade, and with a remodel, an old-school brick fireplace doesn't have to remain traditional or rustic.
During a living room remodel, you can revitalize your fireplace by painting the brick and adding a new mantel and matching fireplace surround. In many old homes, you can also take advantage of built-in shelves next to the fireplace.
In this modern living room remodel, the entire room comes together with contributions from each element, including the fireplace.
A stone surround is paired with a hardwood fireplace mantel that matches the beams in the ceiling. Nearby hardwood cabinets add an elegant touch, and a large TV sits above the mantel. A lot is going on in this design, yet none of the elements detract from the unique wall painting.
For a more contemporary fireplace, you could utilize marble, granite, or even tile instead of stone while keeping the same mantel material.
This remodel retains a throwback look while updating the materials and making the entire fireplace a more refined and polished focal point of the living room.
Rather than a brick fireplace, this remodel uses natural stone, including a ledged hearth. The lighter stone creates a compelling contrast with the reclaimed wood used for the mantel and adjacent wall.
This redesigned living area shows that it's not only in contemporary remodels where mantels can contrast with the surroundings yet still maintain a cohesive look.
Fireplaces are just one way of making your remodel special. We've spent more than 20 years serving the Geneva, Illinois area, and we'd be excited to work with you on any remodeling project, fireplace or not.
Take a look at our portfolio to see more examples of the work we do, or reach out to us directly for a phone call or in-home visit.