Cool weather is creeping in, and we’re dreaming of sitting by a cozy fire! Fireplaces are one of those things that can drastically change the look of a room – and they’re also relatively simple to change in order to update your space! Whether you opt to whitewash, paint, resurface or extend your fireplace, there are lots of DIY-friendly ways to give your fireplace (and living space) a whole new look.

Whitewash

Whitewashing brick fireplaces is one of the most popular DIY projects that can be done to give your fireplace a facelift. Unlike painting, which leaves brick with a solid, opaque finish, whitewashing uses diluted paint to tint the existing brick to a lighter tone, while maintaining the character and color variations. Most people prefer a 1:1 ratio of white latex paint to water, and it’s as simple as cleaning your brick surface and painting the mixture on!

Paint

If you’re looking to change the color of your fireplace, paint is the easiest way to go! We love the look of painting a fireplace white to fit a light, bright design style, or painting it all-black for a pop of bold contrast. Again, if you’re working with brick, make sure to thoroughly clean the brick before beginning to paint, use masonry primer and quality paint to ensure an even finish!

Update the surround

If you have the time and skills, or money to hire a pro, updating the surround of your fireplace is one of the most obvious ways to completely transform your space. Replace brick with stone, stone with a flat wood surround, or inlay tile for an instant upgrade.

Extend it

If you’re looking to heighten your ceilings, extending your fireplace up to the ceiling is a great way to do it. You can either extend the existing finish up to the ceiling, or use a separate material, like a shiplap-style wood, to heighten the fireplace and make the whole room look taller.

Switch up the mantel

This is another easy one, but it makes such an impact! Swap out an old mantel with a gorgeous, reclaimed wood beam, or sand down an existing wood mantel and stain it a different shade. You’ll be shocked by how much of a difference a new mantel can make! And if you need help with how to style your mantel, we have a whole post about that here!

There’s no shortage of ways to give your fireplace a facelift – and most of them are totally DIY-friendly, too! Would you try any of these fireplace projects, or have you already updated your fireplace(s)? We want to know! Make sure to let us know in the comments below and on Instagram @AlmaHomes, too. Happy fall!

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Photography: Melissa Oholendt, Laura Rae Photography, Spacecrafting Photography, Sarah Olfelt Photo, Alma Homes