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10 Gorgeous Gray Painted Brick Fireplaces

Getting a brick fireplace is one of the best decisions you can ever make. However, figuring out the color, model, design, and decor you want with your fireplace gets a little trickier. There are so many options, and choosing can be a bit daunting, especially if you’ve never had a fireplace.

The best thing to do is get the color out of the way first. Gray is one of the best paint colors for brick fireplaces, as it suits almost every aesthetic. But, you also need to know which type of gray painted brick fireplace you want.

Here are ten ideas for some inspiration: 

 

Upgrade your brick fireplace with gray paint

 

The simplest yet most elegant gray painted brick fireplace around, is one that is simply painted your favorite shade. There aren’t any extra bells and whistles, just a simple paint job that reflects well across the rest of your room. This is particularly good if you already have a fireplace in your home that is another color and want to refresh it.

If you want to provide your brick fireplace with a fresh coat of gray paint, you’re best to use one of Brick Anew’s paint kits that give you everything you need for the perfect finish. You get all the tools, coats, and the perfect color that gives you the gray painted brick fireplace of your dreams. 

Brick Fireplace Paint Kit Brick Fireplace Paint Kit 5.0 (158 reviews) A versatile kit for painting brick fireplaces a fresh and modern look at economical prices From $229 View product

 

A gray painted brick fireplace with black fireplace doors, which stretches from the ceiling to the floor.

 

Add some mementos to your gray painted brick fireplace

 

A fireplace isn’t just for providing you with warmth during the colder months. It is also an aesthetically pleasing addition to your room, which you can make look even better with a few personal touches. One of these is adding a few mementos that mean something special to you or picture frames with special memories of your loved ones.

You can place the mementos on your fireplace’s mantel and have them stand out for the entire room to see. Have them match the color scheme of the fireplace, such as gray picture frames or ornaments, and you will undoubtedly receive many questions about them. 

 

Match it to your decor 

 

You don’t have to match your decor to a fireplace. Instead, you can match your fireplace to the decor you already have. For example, if you’ve moved into a new home with a beige fireplace, but your furniture’s color scheme is gray, you may wonder how to fix this issue. All you need is some paint and the right accessories!

Choose a color that perfectly matches the shade of gray your furniture already resembles. It will save you more money by changing your fireplace rather than purchasing a whole new set of decor for your room. 

 

Gray painted brick fireplace matching the color of the room.

 

Use a wide range of gray shades on your brick fireplace

 

Who says you need one shade of gray on your brick fireplace? There are actually a ton of different tones to choose from, and you don’t have to settle on one. In fact, you can decorate your brick fireplace with a two or three-tone pattern. 

There are a few ways you can do this. You can either decide to give the surround and mantel different shades. Or you can paint each brick a different shade or gray. It gives your fireplace a unique look, and it looks amazing once it is done. It may take a little more time to paint, but it is worth it in the end. 

 

Gray painted brick fireplace with each brick shaded a slightly different gray.

 

Spruce your gray painted brick fireplace up with plants

 

Do you have a green thumb and want to display your love for plants front and center in the room? Well, you can do so by sprucing up your fireplace with a few beautiful plants. Potted plants go great with a subtle gray brick, and you can choose to place them either on the mantel or next to the surround on the floor.

Whether small or large, plants can make a big difference to your fireplace and room. Stick to leafy greens and avoid vibrant colors while ensuring the pots match the gray on your fireplace. 

 

A gray painted brick fireplace with flowers and art on the mantel.

 

Make your gray brick fireplace more modern 

 

Gray is a modern color anyway and makes any room look like it is keeping up with the times. However, unique fireplaces can make the room seem even more up-to-date. For example, have the surround go all the way up to the ceiling or build a gray painted brick fireplace in the middle of the room to separate spaces. 

No matter what type of fireplace you choose, you’re going to want to ensure your coat is even and sleek. So give the coat a layer of gloss to provide it with a slick finish and enhance the modern approach you’ve taken when upgrading your fireplace.

 

Gray painted brick fireplace anchored on the corner of the living room.

 

Add a brick fireplace door

 

A gray painted brick fireplace can look great on its own, but it also looks amazing when adding accessories. A fireplace door is an item that can upgrade your fireplace’s look while adding an extra layer of safety. It protects your room from excess soot and heat and ensures a draft doesn’t disrupt the warmth throughout the day. 

Luckily, Brick Anew has a wide range of bespoke fireplace doors, and you will no doubt find one perfectly designed to fit your fireplace model and color scheme. Get in touch with one of our experts, and we will help you find the ideal fireplace door today.

 

Gray painted brick fireplace with black fireplace doors

 

Introduce some decor to your gray brick fireplace

 

We’ve already mentioned adding some mementos to your fireplace, but not everything has to have meaning. For example, you can add some small decor pieces to the mantel which match the aesthetic of your room and fireplace, but they don’t have to be old or associated with a special memory in your past.

New pieces of decor can also spruce up the area a little bit and make the fireplace look extra special. Stick to a minimalist look with one or two pieces of decor for the best result.

 

Consider gray whitewashed brick

 

You may have heard of whitewashed brick fireplaces before, but have you ever seen gray whitewashed brick? It provides the same effect as the former, but it provides you with something a little bit more unique and rustic. 

The Brick Anew paint kits can help you accomplish this look in a few easy steps. You use the same technique as whitewashing brick, but you use gray brick fireplace paint instead of white. Make sure you make a solution of 50/50 water and gray paint and use the same steps as if you were going to paint your fireplace regularly. 

 

Combine it with some white

White and gray are a match made in heaven, and they look even better together on a brick fireplace. While you can keep gray as the central color of the fireplace, you can add a white trim or mantel to give it a bespoke look. This is particularly great if you have a gray-and-white color scheme throughout the rest of your room.

While gray goes really well with white, it also looks good with black too. So you can choose to mix and match with other fireplace brick colors for a different approach. 

 

Gray painted brick fireplace with a white mantel.

20 Inspiring Modern Fireplace Ideas

Designing a modern home is an incredibly exciting time, and integrating modern fireplace ideas into your dream home is one of the ways to bring your design ideas to life. Having a space where modern fireplace design ideas have been incorporated is one of the best ways to jazz up a space. 

After reading this article, you’ll have all the modern fireplace ideas to fully inspire you to install a fireplace that suits your needs and create a home you can be proud of.

 

Minimalist Fireplace Design

 

Minimalist design is one of the top modern fireplace ideas. Minimalism is one of the best ways to approach interiors like living room design. Fireplaces should still remain the key focal point of a room, but this doesn’t mean the fireplace has to overwhelm the space. 

When you go with a minimalist fireplace design, you get to enjoy the simplicity of your home and create a space that’s calming to your senses. You can easily achieve a minimalist fireplace design by going to smaller prefabricated models or simple white wall fireplaces. 

 

White painted minimalist fireplace

 

Painted Brick Fireplaces

 

If you’re living in a slightly older property, the chances are you probably have a brick fireplace. Replacing the entire unit can be expensive, so one of the more popular things to do is to paint your brick fireplace

When you choose to paint them, you get a lot more variety in the color schemes you can go for. You can choose to paint your fireplace a bright white color, which you can do using Brick-Anew paint, which is ideal for homes that want to integrate clean lines into their space. It also helps the fireplace blend in with the surrounding walls. You can also go wild and paint your fireplace a bright color to make it more of a feature. 

 

 

Gray stone fireplace

 

Gray is a color that’s becoming increasingly popular as a base neutral tone for homes. It’s a great color to build any design around and gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to color schemes and other decors. 

Having gray stone as a base for your fireplace material is one of the ways you can ensure you carry the base gray tone throughout your living room or any room. The material is also easy to modify, allowing you to paint over it with little effort should you want to change up the color slightly. 

 

 

 

 

Multi-purpose Fireplace

 

Gone are the days when the sole purpose of a fireplace was to heat a space only. You can now have a fireplace that gives you a wide range of uses. For example, why not integrate an indoor barbeque area in the same place as a fireplace you would use to heat an outdoor space like a patio or veranda? 

You can host a winter cookout while reaping the benefits of the heat the fire throws out. Having a multipurpose fireplace is a great way to save on space and will also challenge you to use clever ideas for fireplace designs. 

 

Fireplace Mantel

 

Fireplace with Integrated Technology

 

With modern fireplaces, it’s no longer essential that you stick to wood burners only. You can now have fireplaces that run off natural gas, which is not only more efficient but also more sustainable. Self-lighting fireplaces will add convenience to your home, as you won’t have to start the fire yourself, and will also remove the issue of cleaning out coal. 

You can also integrate technology that reads the optimal temperature of a room, so you can create the perfect ambiance within your living space. 

 

 

Double-sided Fireplaces

 

Traditional fireplaces are usually at one end of a room and only throw out heat from one side. However, modern fireplace ideas and designs show us examples of fireplaces where both sides are used, and these units are typically located at a more central point of a room with the chimney attached to a central point of the ceiling. These types of designs mean you get more heat, and designs can be created around a central focal point of a room.

 

 

Environmentally Friendly Fireplaces

 

With sustainability and environmental responsibility being at the forefront of interior design, more ideas are being explored when it comes to making fireplace design optimal for these purposes. You can now use biogas or natural gas to light your fireplaces. These types of designs use natural products like reusable gas fire stones, so you won’t have to keep topping up on wood and coal to burn in your fireplace. 

 

 

Fireplace with Built-in Seating

 

If you have an outdoor area that you want to use more, you can integrate a fire pit with built-in seating for people to use while enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. If you have a larger living room, you can also get a gas-powered fireplace or electric fireplaces and integrate seating like sofas and futons around it. 

This design idea is a great way to optimize the use of the space and creates an intimate setting that is perfect for entertaining. You can also double the fireplace space as a coffee table by installing mechanisms that cover the fireplace when it is not in use. 

 

Fireplaces as Art Pieces

 

In any home, the fireplace becomes the central feature. So what’s holding you back from making your fireplace an artistic feature in your home? Traditionally made fireplaces usually have a lot of wall space that you can use to create artwork. Having a fireplace as an art piece is also a great way to use the fireplace during the summer seasons when it’s slightly warmer, and you’re less likely to light a fire. This is a great way to express your unique style and integrate pieces you may not have previously considered. 

 

 

Ceiling-height Fireplaces

 

Although you may be restricted in the size of a firebox, you can easily make use of a fireplace that goes all the way up to the ceiling. Having a visible chimney space that stretches up to the full height of your home will add depth to the space and make the room appear bigger than it is. 

Ceiling-height fireplace designs also give you more space to decorate the fireplace and can help to make your fireplace more of a feature in the room. These designs are also great for homes that want to integrate a more linear design into their space. It’s also the ideal route for double-story buildings or rooms with high ceilings. 

 

Stone ceiling height fireplace in wood cabin

 

Outdoor Modern Fireplaces

 

When you explore the world of modern outdoor fireplace design, you get to create an outdoor living area that you can enjoy all year round. From firepits to outdoor barbeque areas, outdoor fireplace design is one of the best ways to go about creating more space on your property and also provides additional space for relaxing and entertaining. It also means you can enjoy your outdoor areas more thoroughly during the winter, and it gives you more time to enjoy the spaces in your home. 

 

Stone Focused Wall

 

Transparent Fireplaces

 

New material technology has allowed fireplace manufacturers to design fireplaces that are transparent. Heat-resistant glass and other transparent materials mean you can now enjoy the ambiance a fire creates even more, as these types of fireplaces make the flames more visually accessible. Although these are not as compatible with traditional wood fireplaces, those that run off natural gas can easily incorporate this type of design. 

 

Marble Fireplaces

 

Marble is a fantastic material to integrate into your home as it gives a sleek, clean, modern aesthetic to any space. Another trend that is becoming more popular is the use of black marble, which adds drama and dynamic to the room. Marble is also a very good heat conductor and will assist in heating the home. Although it’s on the pricey side of the cost spectrum, marble is a material that requires little maintenance and will create its own look and neutral color palette to work with. 

 

Grey Marble fireplace in modern room

 

Using the Mantel

 

The mantelpiece of a home is a great space to use, as it gives you a surface to install art, a flatscreen TV, and other design elements that will complement the space. Many households use the mantel to display photos and artwork to add a personal touch to the space. You can also decorate the mantel with plants and other movable objects so that you can change the decor during a festive period or special occasion. 

 

 

Fireplaces with Built-In Shelving

 

If you want to add to the cozy atmosphere a fireplace brings, consider having shelves installed on either side of it. On these shelves, you can display books, records, plants, photos, or ornaments that make your home the special place it is. It’s a fabulous way to ensure the energy of your family home is integrated into your living space and gives you more opportunities to add a personal touch to the space. 

 

Gray Paint Fireplace Brick Updation

 

Integrating Layered Materials

 

Using multiple materials in your fireplace design adds dynamic and class to your interior. You’ll also be able use a multitude of materials that appeal to you, like light wood and stone. When you layer materials, you add more to your color scheme, which gives you an extended range of colors in your color palette. It also means the fireplace becomes a piece of art in itself and can add an element of intrigue to your space. 

 

 

The Floating Mantel

 

Most fireplaces will have a mantel place unless you’re going for a sleek design. One of the coolest modern fireplace design trends is the floating mantel, which is essentially a column made out of wood, stone, or metal that sticks out of the fireplace itself. The mantel then becomes its own feature but can also be used to store items that go on top of a mantelpiece. This fireplace design idea adds a dynamic to the overall layout of the fireplace. 

 

farmhouse fireplace screen with a black screen

 

Geometric Fireplace Design

 

Adding shapes to your fireplace design is a great way to modernize when it comes to upgrading your fireplace. Using geometric shapes in your fireplace allows you to add patterns and color to the design, which can help to tie the overall design of a space together seamlessly.

 

Integrated Fireplaces Designs

 

One of the key aspects of modern design is to ensure that the space is beautiful and functional at the same time. You can use the space surrounding your fireplace for storage and as additional space to house decorative items. 

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, consider installing a section where you can keep the wood you use. Not only is this a highly functional design idea, but it is also a great way to add more materials to your home. Wood is an aesthetically workable feature that looks great when it is on display. 

 

 

Fireplace Tiling

 

There are millions of tiling designs out there, and using tiles to decorate your fireplace is a great way to add pops of color, patterns, and appeal to the overall fireplace design. You can have a lot of fun with tiles; they don’t always have to be perfectly linear. 

You can also use mosaic designs to create a truly unique design for your fireplace, an idea that is very popular among those with artistic taste. Tiling your fireplace will also help when it comes to heat retention, as it provides more insulation and helps to keep the space warmer for longer.

 

20 Inspirational Farmhouse Fireplace Decor Ideas

A fireplace is something that can make a room, especially since it’s usually the focal point for everyone to look at. That’s why you want to be careful with your design and decor. So many trends out there promise to be ‘the best,’ but sadly, these can go out of style very quickly. Therefore, you want to go for something classic that withstands the test of time.

Farmhouse is a classic style that can completely transform your fireplace, and luckily there are many different ways you can incorporate this look into your room. However, choosing the best one for you can be difficult, so we have provided you with 20 of the most inspirational farmhouse fireplace decor ideas.

 

Shiplap surround

 

A classic yet modern farmhouse style often comes with a shiplap fireplace surround. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it basically involves board and paneling overlapping the one below it. It offers a unique yet mesmerizing look, so you may want to consider installing shiplap paneling around your own fireplace.

But of course, you can’t just do this idea alone. You also need to determine the color palette to complete the entire look. We recommend painting the paneling in a neutral color, like light gray or white, which you can do by using our brick fireplace paint kit. This will give the fireplace a fresh and clean appearance. It is classic, yet it works.

 

Barn beam mantel

 

Fireplace mantels come in all shapes and sizes, so why not opt for one that is a bit more unique? One of the best farmhouse living room ideas is refurbishing an old barn beam so you can place it on top of your fireplace. It offers the space a certain kind of rustic charm, and you’ll no doubt have people asking you about it.

This idea is a great way to add a bit of history to a room and can act as a statement piece to the rest of the fireplace. Combine it with black paint, a wooden coffee table to match the beam, and some decorative accessories, and you’ll undoubtedly be happy with the result.

 

white room with a brown beam for a mantel above an electric brick fireplace

 

Distressed brick fireplace

 

A brick fireplace is the perfect addition to farmhouse decor, and it is even better with a distressed look. You can change the entire aesthetic of the room by building a fireplace with old or already-used bricks. After all, who wants something perfect anymore?

To add to the brick fireplace’s weathered look, you might opt for white or light-colored paint. This will also depend on the rest of your home decor. If your room uses a neutral color palette, then this is perfect. You can consider darker shades if you use more daring and bright colors.

 

 

Farmhouse chic tile

 

A modern farmhouse fireplace is one that uses tile. However, there are so many options regarding the patterns and textures on tiles that it can make it difficult to find the right one for your room. To make the choice easier for you, we recommend using tiles that come in earthy tones like beige, gray, or muted blue.

Once you’ve chosen the color and pattern, it’s then up to you to decide how to arrange them on the fireplace insert and surround. We think the best way to create that modern look is to arrange them in a herringbone or chevron pattern for even more visuals to admire.

 

Chic Tile farmhouse fireplace

 

Rustic stone hearth

 

Homes are all about comfort, so you might want to find the most cozy farmhouse style for your room. This is especially great if the fireplace is located in your living room or any other space where you like to entertain friends and family.

A large and rustic stone hearth offers a high level of warmth around your fireplace, particularly if you opt for a brown or copper color scheme. You can perfectly complement the stone hearth with a reclaimed wood mantel and decorate it with antique accessories to provide an extra comfortable atmosphere.

 

stone hearth farmhouse fireplace in a wooden cabin

 

Sliding barn doors

 

Now, this idea is incredibly creative and perfect when you want a more rustic farmhouse fireplace decor. It is exactly what it sounds like. You treat the opening of your fireplace just like a barn. Instead of purchasing a basic metal cover, you’ll place small-scale sliding barn doors on either side of the fireplace.

This fireplace design makes you think you’re back in the country, even if you’re living in a high-rise city building. It is also not something you see every day, so it is a great conversation starter when people visit your home and want to know how you completed the look.

 

Double-sided fireplace

 

This concept isn’t for everyone, but it can work with an open floor plan in your home. It is a great way to separate the kitchen from the living room. It’s an easy way to place a fireplace in two rooms, so the heat and style can be enjoyed by multiple people at once.

A double-sided fireplace is quite a modern approach, so you want to vamp it up with a few extra touches. You can create an authentic farmhouse look with white walls and reclaimed materials. Use old wood for the farmhouse mantel and surround; you won’t ever need to change it. With ideas like this, you’ll never need to hire an interior designer again.

 

 

Vintage fireplace tools

 

This doesn’t have anything to do with the fireplace itself, but it can definitely add to the farmhouse aesthetic. Whether you have a stone fireplace or a white shiplap wall, adding a few vintage fireplace tools near the hearth can transform the entire atmosphere in the room.

The types of tools you find are important. You don’t want to go to your local hardware store and purchase brand-new tools. Instead, you might want to venture through second-hand charities or interior design stores to find antique iron tools with intricate details. This will provide you with the best result.

 

Exposed wood beams

 

This idea only works if you already have exposed wood beams in the ceiling of your room. You don’t have to actually remove them, but you might want to incorporate them into your farmhouse mantel and fireplace design. There’s the choice to match the beams to your fireplace or vice versa.

One way you can do this is by painting the exposed wood beams in a lighter color, especially if you already have a white fireplace. You can also leave them natural for a warmer and more inviting look, but then you’ll have to match your fireplace to this color scheme and pattern.

 

 

Built-in bookshelves

 

If you love to read and have an extensive book collection, then you’ll love this farmhouse fireplace decor idea. Instead of placing a mantel above the fireplace, you can instead frame the outside with built-in bookshelves that match the tone and color of the surround.

Placing all your books around the fireplace makes it seem much more cozy and functional. You can also add a range of farmhouse decor to empty shelves to add to the aesthetic. However, be careful with building the bookshelves, as you don’t want your books damaged by the fire.

 

 

Whitewashed brick

 

A white brick fireplace is a perfect addition to any room, especially if you want a more subtle farmhouse look. You don’t have to go all out with a solid coat of white paint, but you can instead opt for a whitewash finish which provides the room for a more light and airy feeling.

Brick is a fairly rustic material anyway, so you don’t want to take away from it too much. By opting for a whitewash instead of an opaque finish, you can still maintain the charm of the brick. It will also brighten the room and make the space seem more pleasant.

 

Antique fireplace screen

 

If you want to pass on the sliding barn door idea for your farmhouse fireplace decor but you still want something that covers the insert, you might want to opt for a fireplace screen. However, far too many new screens look cheap and modern, so you want to go for something with an antique design.

An antique screen matched with intricate fireplace mantel decor can add a touch of elegance and character as long as it matches the fireplace surround. You want to look for a screen that has been designed with beautiful metalwork or one that uses vintage stained glass.

 

farmhouse fireplace screen with a black screen

 

Oversized stone mantel

 

What goes great with a stone fireplace? An oversized stone farmhouse mantel! You want to ensure it is much bigger than the entire fireplace and spans several meters across the wall. It is eye-catching and a beautiful statement piece that will make the room appear grand and rustic at the same time.

You may want to choose this idea for a modern farmhouse fireplace, and you can add to the farmhouse aesthetic by incorporating a few decorative accessories to sit on top of the mantel. Choose anything from flowers to photo frames, and you will have a complete look.

 

Reclaimed wood wall

 

The wall behind the fireplace is something just as important as the fireplace itself. It can add to a big portion of the interior design, so you must think carefully about it. You can increase the farmhouse look by replacing the back wall with reclaimed wood planks.

You can do this if you think your original fireplace will match the natural texture and warmth of the wood or if you don’t already have a fireplace and are looking to add a brand-new one. It is best suited with a white brick fireplace or a stone one in the same color.

 

Herringbone brick pattern

 

We’ve already mentioned a herringbone pattern when it comes to arranging tiles around your fireplace surround, but what if you want the surround to have brick? In this case, you can arrange the brick in the same pattern, as it will provide a unique and visually appealing design.

This might take a lot of work, so we recommend hiring an expert to help. You can also consider the type of home decor you wish to place around the fireplace that matches the herringbone pattern. Either way, it will definitely grab people’s attention once it’s finished.

 

 

Rustic lanterns

 

While a fireplace can add some aspect of light to your room, you don’t want to rely on it as your only source. If you’re someone who doesn’t use your fireplace very often but still wants to make it the focal point of your room, then you might want to consider placing a pair of rustic lanterns on the mantel or beside it.

Adding the lanterns into the vicinity of your rustic farmhouse fireplace decor will give it a cozy and nostalgic touch. If you’re thinking about what light to use with the lanterns, we think LED candles are the best option as they offer a safe and flickering flame effect.

 

 

Farmhouse artwork

 

Whether you have a wood mantel or white fireplace, you can always enhance the aesthetic by hanging some farmhouse-inspired artwork or vintage signs above it. It shows people the look you’re going for and gives them something more to admire.

You may obviously purchase the artwork from a gallery or an Etsy store, but we think it’s best to look at a flea market for something a bit more vintage. It can make a fun trip trying to find the perfect pieces to complement your fireplace and the rest of the room.

 

white farmhouse fireplace with moose art above

 

Vintage fireplace surround

 

The surround is an important aspect to consider when designing your fireplace, so it’s best to take a vintage approach when you are putting together a farmhouse look. The first thing to consider is the type of material you wish to use for your fireplace surround, and then you can go from there.

Once you know whether you want to use brick, metal, stone, or wood, you can look for the right surround. The best way to ensure a vintage aesthetic is to source salvaged materials from an architectural salvage store or flea market. It should have a distressed look or ornate details.

 

 

Farmhouse tile surround

 

We’ve just spoken about a vintage fireplace surround, but if this isn’t for you, then you can opt for a farmhouse tile surround. Instead of the aforementioned herringbone pattern, you can install subway or hexagon tiles in a neutral color around the fireplace.

How you arrange the tiles can contribute to the farmhouse aesthetic, but you can also enhance the effect by using a contrasting grout color for added visual interest. It is unique, but we guarantee the end result makes it all worthwhile.

 

Cozy seating nook

 

What better way is there to enjoy your fireplace than putting together a cozy seating nook? How you design it is up to you and the type of furniture you like to rest on. However, we think that placing a pair of comfortable armchairs and a small side table in front or to the side of the fireplace can create a farmhouse charm.

With the seating nook there and ready to be sat in, it invites people to come and check out your fireplace. It offers a place to sit back, relax, and encourage conversation with others in your house. You can also take some time for yourself and read a book with a burning fire.

 

sofa in front of farmhouse fireplace

Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas For Any Design Style

A fireplace is a beauty in itself, but mantel accessories can make it look even better. Whether your home already had a fireplace when you first moved in or you installed it yourself, adding mantel accessories helps you add your own personal touch. 

However, figuring out which mantel accessory best fits your design style can be difficult. You want to ensure that whatever you add to your mantel won’t clash with the rest of the room. For example, you should ensure that the accessories fit with the tone room and the paint of the fireplace. Luckily, there are a ton of accessories that go with any design style. 

Here are eight you can add to your own fireplace mantel:

 

Artwork

 

Art can liven up any room and also show your visitors the type of taste you have. You can place so many different variations of art on your mantel, and it is easy to find one that matches the style of the rest of the room. 

The artwork also doesn’t have to be a painting. It can be a framed print, a unique picture frame, or a piece of clay work as well. Whether you have an artistic side yourself and want to put your work on display, or you have a favorite artist that reflects your own personal style, there are so many options for the type of artwork you can place on your mantel to use as a mantel accessory. 

 

 

Books

 

Books are another type of mantel accessory, which are a fantastic addition to any home. They enrich our minds and offer stories that stay with us together. However, once you’ve finished a book and aren’t planning to read it again for a while, you may not know what to do with it. By placing it on your fireplace mantel, you are giving your book another purpose, and it can also add something special to your room.

People buy bookcases to show off their reading collection, but you can also do the same for your favorite book series on your mantel. How you pile them is up to your personal preference, and you can even make it look neater by adding some bookends to keep them in place. 

 

Fireplace book decor

 

Decorative plates

 

Plates aren’t just for eating off of, and some of them can look too beautiful to put away in a cupboard. If you have some plates with a unique design that you love to look at, you can turn them into decorative plates and have them on display over your fireplace.

Decorative plates are collectibles for some people, so placing them on your mantel won’t be odd at all. You can even purchase some stands that are made specifically for plates and have them stand up for anyone in the room to see. Another option can include mounting them on the wall directly above your mantel for something a bit different. 

 

Candlesticks

 

Candles have many purposes. You can use them to add light to a dimly lit room or if there is ever a power outage. Candles can also offer a beautiful odor to your room if they are scented. Another purpose they have is also making your room look good. 

However, you need to find somewhere prominent to place candles on display to ensure everyone who walks into the room can see them. And your fireplace mantel is one of the greatest places you can put a candle, so they are seen. Candlesticks especially stand out because they are larger and taller and make a good addition to any room. 

 

Fireplace Candlesticks

 

Statues

 

Statues aren’t just large figures that have been dedicated to someone and are displayed in the town square. In fact, they can come in all shapes and sizes. This is why they are a great fireplace mantel accessory because you can choose one that is perfectly styled to match the rest of the room’s decor. 

A statue can be something personal that reflects you or your family, or it can be something completely different. Some people choose statues of their favorite literary characters, such as Mickey Mouse, or even something a bit more abstract. The choice is entirely up to you. 

 

Fireplace Statues

 

Vases

 

A vase is an extremely useful item. Whenever you are given a bouquet of flowers as a gift, you need a vase to display them in. However, they can also be beautiful alone. A vase doesn’t have to be made out of plain glass, and it can actually come in lots of different colors and patterns that reflect your style. 

You can place your vase in the center of your mantel and let it stay plain without any flowers, or you can top it up with a bouquet every week or so. Either way, you can choose which color and design fits in with the rest of the room and change it at any time too. 

 

 

Clock

 

We all need to know the time at some point, so having a clock in your room isn’t a bad idea. Your fireplace is often the central part of the room, so placing a clock on top of the mantel allows you and your guests to check the time easily at any time. To top things off, clocks are beautiful items if they are designed well too. 

You can choose a small grandfather clock to sit on your mantel, or you can hang one on the wall above it. They can come in many different frames and designs as well, so choose one that matches your room’s aesthetic, and it will fit in perfectly.

 

fireplace decor clock

Eclectic collection

 

If you enjoy collecting novelty items as one of your hobbies, there is no doubt you want to show them off to people who visit your home. A collection can become your pride, especially if it is complete. Placing it on your mantel, no matter what it is, can ensure people will see it, and you can spark up a discussion. 

From vintage coins to unique stamps, you can easily frame these items and place them above the mantel as a mantel accessory. They often come in neutral tones that match any aesthetic, and even if they don’t, you still have a reason to display them without people questioning why they don’t match. 

 

Fireplace Electic Collection

Choosing The Right Fireplace To Match Your Home Decor

Everyone loves a fireplace. Not only do they warm you up during the colder months, but they are great to look at. They become a central part of the room and are great for home decor as they catch the eye of anyone who walks into it. However, there are so many different types of fireplaces available for installation it can be hard to choose the right one.

One of the best ways to help you decide which fireplace is the one for you is by matching it to your home decor and aesthetic. However, in order to do this, you need to consider a few things first: 

 

The size of the room

 

The first thing you need to consider when choosing a new fireplace for your home is the size of the room it’ll be installed in. Not everyone has space for an elegant new fireplace with a large stone surround, so you will need to work with what space you do have. 

Of course, if you have space, this opens you up to many more options, and you can move on to the next part of the considerations. However, if your room is on the smaller side, you can still consider other options, such as a portable or electric fireplace. 

 

The design of the house

 

The design of your house is just as important as the decor you have when considering the type of fireplace you want to install. For example, if you have a newly refurbished home with a modern appeal, you’ll want a fireplace that matches that. You don’t want something like red brick installed in a home with marble tabletops and white tiled flooring. 

Similarly, if you have a more rustic home, then you wouldn’t want a natural stone fireplace made out of marble. Of course, you can opt for anything you want, but you want something that reflects your home’s current design for the best look. 

 

An electric fireplace?

 

If you have a smaller room or want something that is easily customizable, you may want to consider an electric fireplace from the beginning. They come in many shapes and sizes, and you can easily find one that will match your home decor. 

Electric fireplaces have many benefits that sometimes outweigh the hassle of installing an entirely new wood-burning fireplace. They only need to be near an electrical outlet to turn on, and they provide just as much heat in the winter. Electric fireplaces are also easier to maintain, pose fewer risks, and are more environmentally friendly. 

 

 

Make sure it’s fit for purpose

 

When you’ve narrowed down the type of fireplace you want in your home, you need to consider what it will be used for. Some people install a fireplace in a room simply because they want more heat in the winter months. However, others install a fireplace purely for the aesthetics and how it can brighten up an area. 

If you want a new fireplace for its heat, you need to be sure you’re installing one that can heat up the desired area. For example, a small electric fireplace may not heat up an open space living and dining room but rather a bedroom. You may also want something grand like natural stone if you are focusing on the aesthetics. 

 

What features meet your demands?

 

A fireplace isn’t just the place where a fire is made; it actually comes with a wide range of other features. For example, you may want a mantel to display some of your favorite ornaments and family pictures. If you plan on using the fireplace every night, then you may need somewhere nearby to store your wood as well.

There are a lot of features to consider, and you need to be sure that the fireplace you choose can support the features you need. It is also a good idea to consider your budget and try not to go over it before the installation has even started. 

 

If unsure, consult a professional

There are so many things to consider when looking for a fireplace to match your home decor, and it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, especially if you haven’t had a fireplace before. Luckily, tons of experts out there can help you and answer any of your questions. 

Brick Anew has a wide selection of fireplaces and accessories, and the experts of Brick Anew are always here to help. If you have a question about any of our products or what one will best fit into your home and match your home decor, all you have to do is get in touch. 

The Advantages Of Having A Stone Fireplace Surround

Are you considering installing a new fireplace in your home? Or are you maybe wanting to update your current fireplace with a new surround? Then you may want to consider stone as the material you use. 

A fireplace is the first thing someone notices when they walk into a room, so you want to have one that doesn’t only look good but operates well at the same time. Stone is a fantastic material that comes with a wide range of advantages, and it certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.

If you are considering stone for the surround of your fireplace, then here are seven benefits that may help you make your final decision:

 

Visually appealing

 

One of the main things when considering a fireplace’s material is how it will look. You don’t want something that lets you down, especially since it can be so difficult to change once it is installed. Luckily, stone is a material that is beloved by many and offers a warm and rustic appearance that you and your visitors can admire. 

Natural stone is an elegant material with welcoming hues. You will feel at peace when you look at it, making coming home from a long day of work much better. The textures and shapes go perfectly with other pieces of stone decor, and they can pull a whole room together. 

 

Very durable

 

While stone is a beautiful material to look at, it also comes with a wide range of other advantages. One of these is its durability. It is a material often used in construction projects because it doesn’t break easily and lasts for a long time. This makes it perfect for a fireplace, as they are additions that stay with a home for decades. 

For your stone to keep its durability, you’ll need a proper installation team. With the right installation, you won’t need to worry about many repairs, and it may even outlast your entire home in the future. However, keep in mind that you will still need to maintain the stone to prevent soot buildup.

 

Keeps the room warmer

 

Stone offers a warm and rustic look, and that’s because it actually keeps your room warmer for longer than any other material. If you opt for something like brick, they often come with gaps in the middle or are completely hollow. This allows the heat to escape from the room as it enters. However, stone is much more full and heavy, allowing it to retain more heat from the fireplace. 

Once the stone in your stone fireplace surround has retained the heat, it will also radiate throughout the room for longer periods of time as well. This ultimately increases the energy efficiency and means you don’t have to have the fire burning for as long. 

 

Added value to your home

 

You may think you’ll stay in your home for the rest of your life, but this isn’t always the case. You may also just be living in your home, so you can flip it and sell it for a higher price. One of the ways you can add value to your home is by installing a stone fireplace surround. This is because natural stone is a highly sought-after material, and many love to have it in their property. 

Natural stone is in such high demand in homes that it can even increase your property value by up to 25%. If you combine this with other fixes in a run-down property, you can come out of a sale with a great profit.

 

 

It’s environmentally friendly

 

The environment is an important part of our lives, our children’s lives, and our grandchildren’s lives. We want a good life for our loved ones, so we should always make eco-conscious decisions. Opting for a stone fireplace surround is one step in the right direction, as natural stone contains no harmful toxins or chemicals. 

Natural stone is quarried from the earth, so it doesn’t leave a significant carbon footprint compared to wood and brick. Since it lasts so long, you don’t need much of it in the future. However, even if you were to replace the stone at some point, it can also be recycled and reused, offering even more of an impact towards protecting our planet. 

 

Makes your fireplace timeless

 

As we’ve mentioned briefly, a stone fireplace can last extremely long and even outlive the rest of your home. If you look at an older home with a stone fireplace surround, it could have been around for as long as 100 years without any cracks, crumbles, or breaks. It is a material you can rely on, but it also offers a timeless look to the rest of your room.

If you want to make your room match the timeless aesthetic of your stone fireplace, you can match it perfectly with beige, tan, and gold tones. You may also want to add delicate antiques around the room for an iconic look. 

 

Easy to customize 

 

The main thing that puts people off installing a stone fireplace surround is the fact that they think it only comes in one color and can’t be changed in the future.

Stone can certainly be changed in the future if you want to update the aesthetic of your room. It is a material that can be easily painted over. With Brick Anew’s paint kit, it is an extremely easy job to do and will last for a long time as well. All you have to do is pick your color, and the rest will fall into place. 

 

Final thoughts

 

Stone fireplaces are one of the best variations you can install in your home. They look fantastic and will stay with you for as long as you want. You don’t have to worry about repairs and replacements, so you can enjoy the beauty of your new room’s centerpiece daily. 

For more advice on stone fireplaces, contact one of Brick Anew’s experts, and we can help you start your installation process. 

10 Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas That’ll Liven Up The Room

A fireplace, whether brick or stone, is almost always central to the room. It often catches the attention of guests who walk into the room, and it can become a topic of conversation for those who want one. But how do you ensure your fireplace looks bright and beautiful? How do you guarantee it’ll draw people in when they visit your home?

The answer to these questions is simple – the fireplace mantel. The mantel may not be the biggest part of a fireplace, but it certainly adds a lot of charm. You can choose the material, color, and decor that sits on top of it.

Unsure of how to decorate your own area? Here are ten unique fireplace mantel ideas you can use for inspiration:

 

A perfectly painted mantel

 

If you already have a mantel but it’s been around for some time, it may need a bit of a refresh. It can seem like a lot of time and effort to go out and purchase a brand-new fireplace mantel, so you can save a lot of time by simply painting the mantel you already have.

Painting a fireplace mantel takes little to no time and can be done exceptionally easily when you use one of Brick Anew’s paint sets. They include everything you need for a perfectly painted mantel, from the brushes and rollers to paint and finishes. You just need to choose the color you want for your fireplace mantel, and you’ll see how a fresh coat can liven up your entire room. 

 

 

Overlap the decor

 

Many people shy away when adding decor to their fireplace mantel. They often add one or two items because they don’t think they will match or are simply unsure how to decorate correctly. However, while minimal is sometimes good, you can also make your mantel look great by going the other way. 

Decor doesn’t need to sit side by side, but you can rather overlap it. You may think it’ll provide a cluttered look – but it really doesn’t. Instead, your decor looks perfectly organized, and you can still see what each piece is. 

 

Harrison Mantel Surround

 

Modernize it

 

While some people like mantels that match their mid-century fireplaces, most are moving towards a more modern look. This includes a mantel that is often made out of metal or painted a sleek white or black if it is made out of wood. 

What you put on your mantel for a modern look can often depend on the aesthetic of your room. If your room is blue and white, only add decor matching these colors. The type of decor that will really stand out with this theme includes pieces of artwork, candles, and a few picture frames. 

 

 

Involve rustic features

 

A rustic aesthetic can make a room look warm and inviting, but you need to get the mantel decoration done just right. You don’t want to add too much or too little, but just the perfect balance of decor pieces that will pique a person’s interest as they enter the room.

Don’t add anything too big to your fireplace mantel, but just a few small pieces, such as a pot plant or succulent or a mini teddy bear you’ve had since you were little. Place each piece evenly spaced out, and you’ll be amazed at how good your mantel will look. 

 

 

Contrasting colors

 

Most people want to add colors that match their room when decorating a fireplace mantel, but you can actually get away with a great look when you change this to contrasting colors. To truly draw attention to your fireplace, you will have to either paint your mantel or add decor that contrasts the colors in the rest of your room. 

For example, if the main color of your room is blue, then you can paint your mantel red or add a big bouquet of red roses sitting front and center above it. It provides a unique and cohesive look, and you’ll certainly have guests checking out your fireplace when they walk into the room. 

 

 

Go for a vintage design

 

We’ve already mentioned a modern look that most people go for, but if you like something a bit more traditional, you may want to opt for a vintage design. This may include a stone fireplace mantel built into the wall with hand-carved patterns and decor pieces you have found from vintage and thrift shops.

The color scheme for a vintage design can be open to interpretation, but we recommend white, bronze, and maybe some different brown shades. It will make your room seem more elegant, and you’ll feel like royalty. 

 

misty harbor

 

Put a TV above it

 

Another way to modernize your fireplace by decorating your mantel is by adding a TV above the area. As we’ve already said, your fireplace is central in most rooms, and so are televisions. When you combine the two, you have a space where you can catch up on your favorite shows and stay warm from a fire.

There are two ways you can add a TV above your fireplace mantel. You can either place the television on a stand and have it directly on the mantel or mount it right above the mantel onto the wall. 

 

twilight taupe

 

Add seasonality

 

There are four seasons in the year, which means there are four opportunities for you to decorate your fireplace mantel. If you’re someone who gets bored easily, then you may want to decorate your fireplace based on the time of the year. 

For example, during the fall season, you can add some plastic pumpkins, orange buntings, fake paper leaves, and more around the fireplace mantel. Once you’ve gotten past Halloween and even Thanksgiving, you can then start to introduce more Christmassy decorations. This will go on for the whole year, including spring and summer. 

 

twilight taupe

 

Match it to the fireplace door

 

A fireplace door has many fantastic benefits, from keeping out the embers of a fire and blocking off the draft from your chimney. However, it can often seem a bit out of place when it doesn’t match the rest of your fireplace. That’s why getting one that matches your mantel is a good idea.

If you already have a fireplace door, you can just paint your mantel or add decor that fits in with the color and design of the door. However, if you are already happy with your mantel, you can purchase a fireplace door that matches the mantel. Brick Anew has a fantastic collection of fireplace doors for you to choose from, and there’s no doubt you’ll find one that goes perfectly with your mantel. 

 

 

Introduce some memories

 

Nostalgia is one of the best feelings in the world, and it can be triggered when you think about some of your best memories. But how do you ensure these memories get triggered on a regular basis? You need to put photos and mementos from those times to make you remember how good those moments were.

By placing frames and images on your fireplace mantel, there will always be a constant reminder of your memories. It is also a great discussion starter when you have visitors visiting your home.

 

20 Stone Fireplace Ideas To Make Your Room More Inviting

The perfect stone fireplace will make you feel welcome in the room, and it is a beautiful sight to look at. But how do you choose a stone fireplace that provides this feeling to a room?

With so many options out there, it can be difficult to make a decision. However, we’re making it easier for you by offering 20 unique and welcoming stone fireplace ideas. 

 

Mix things up with a wooden mantel

 

Stone and wood? How could it even be? It may sound like a duo that shouldn’t ever be paired, but when you see the two together, you may start to disagree with that statement. While you may not want to intertwine them together too much, a subtle combination can make the two materials stand out. 

With stone making up most of your fireplace and the wooden mantel only taking up a little bit of the space, it adds a little something special and is a great stone fireplace idea that will catch the eye of any visitors. Still skeptical? Have a look at the two together for yourself and see how welcoming they are!

 

Stone fireplace with a wooden mantel behind two chairs and a table with a flower.

 

Match your room to the stone fireplace

 

There’s nothing better than a well-designed room. From the color scheme to the decor, you can’t ever feel uncomfortable sitting in a perfectly matched room. So, if you’re thinking about what kind of stone fireplace you want in your home, you may want to start by looking at the aesthetic of the room you’ll be installing it in.

For example, if your room is full of neutral grays, blacks, and white, then you may want to introduce a stone fireplace with a whitewash with a black or gray mantel. On the other hand, if your room is a bit more rustic with brown and orange tones, you would be better off opting for a fireplace with natural stone.

 

 

Stone Fireplace that goes well with the rest of the room

 

Paint over your stone fireplace with a natural color

 

Sometimes you move into a home that already has a stone fireplace built into it. This is great because it saves you a lot of time and money trying to install a brand-new one. However, the original fireplace rarely matches your aesthetic and what you want. This is when you may want to consider updating it with a fresh coat of paint. 

Painting stone isn’t hard, and it also takes little to no time. With Brick Anew’s Stone Fireplace Paint Kit, you have everything you need to ensure it is completed to perfection. You only need to choose the color or shade to paint with, and then you’ll have all the tools you need to complete the job with ease

 

Stone fireplace painted with a natural gray color.

 

Introduce some bright decor

 

Another stone fireplace idea that can update an already-installed stone fireplace is to add some pieces of decor to the mantel. If you like all things bright and colorful, then you can have some fun when you choose what pieces you want to introduce to the area. From blue to hot pink, it can add some personality to the room and make people feel welcome when they see the fireplace. 

There are also a ton of different decor pieces you can choose from. Flower vases are a fantastic addition and can come in different shapes and sizes. You may also want to opt for bright picture frames or special knick-knacks you have collected over the years. 

 

Brighten up the room with some white

 

You can never go wrong with white. It is a shade that goes with any other color and can pull together a room perfectly. If you like to change your room’s aesthetic often, you might want to opt for a white stone fireplace because then you know it’ll always match. 

On top of that, the color white brightens up any room, especially if you introduce some natural light through open windows. This can lift anyone’s mood and makes the room seem more inviting for you and any visitors. White has a wide range of benefits, and you can easily keep it clean with Brick Anew’s Brick and Stone Fireplace Cleaner

 

White stone fireplace with small plants inside.

 

Turn your stone fireplace into a media fireplace with a TV

 

Many people place a stone fireplace in the center of a room, which is the same for televisions. People like to sit around and watch their favorite movies and tv series while also having the warmth of a burning fire on them. However, how can you have both at the same time? There’s a simple solution for that: a media fireplace.

This is one of those stone fireplace ideas that you have to try. A media fireplace is a basic concept. Your stone fireplace is installed as usual, but you add a TV above the mantel. Everything is central, and it makes the room seem much more homely. It makes you want to go and sit near the area, and people may visit just to check it out. 

 

Stone fireplace with a TV attached to to the top of it.

 

Natural stone? Paint the mantel matte black

 

Natural stone fireplaces come with elements of beauty, but sometimes they can seem a little bland and outdated. You may already have one built in your home and looking for a way to spruce the area up without a drastic change. Luckily, a mantel is a fantastic way to make a subtle improvement.

Natural stone often comes in browns and grays, so black is the perfect shade to match it. Natural stone also doesn’t shine very often unless it has a glossy layer added to it, so a matte black mantel makes a great combination. It may not seem like a lot, but it will definitely make a noticeable difference to your room and how you feel entering it. 

 

Floor-to-ceiling for something different

 

When you think of a stone fireplace, what comes to mind? Often it is a simple set-up that starts halfway down the wall and reaches the floor. However, there are a ton of variations that are much different than this, and it can make your room seem more unique than any other. One of these variations is a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that goes all the way up the wall. 

These great fireplaces display the stone far more than any other, introducing something different to your room. It may take a bit longer to install and dig into your budget a bit more, but it is certainly worth it in the long run. A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace is also harder to cover up, so if you want one, you will need to think hard about whether you want to go through with it. 

 

Stone fireplace that covers the whole wall, from floor to ceiling.

 

You can’t go wrong with gray

 

Many people opt for black and white as the base shade for their stone fireplace, but many people sleep on gray. It is actually a fantastic shade for modernizing stone fireplaces and adding an elegant look to any room. So, why not install or update a stone fireplace in your room with a shade of gray and watch how it transforms?

Of course, many stones come in the color gray, but you can also paint over other colors using the Brick-Anew Paint Kit. Depending on how light you want the gray to be, you may need to add a layer of white first to darker bricks. 

 

Gray tacked stone fireplace in an empty room.

 

Bring in a black-and-white theme

 

Many things come in black and white. Old movies, balls, Oreos, and much more. The two colors are a match made in heaven. But what do they go even better with? Stone fireplaces! Similar to updating your area with a shade of gray, these two colors also add a sleek and modern element to your room and can pair perfectly with different types of decor.

How you incorporate the two colors is entirely up to you. You may want to have a whitewashed stone with a black mantel or vice versa. Either way, it will lift up the aesthetic of your room, and many guests will no doubt drop their jaws with awe when they see what you’ve done. 

 

Show off with a large mirror

 

Like a TV, mirrors are a central feature of many rooms. They help people stay up to date on how they look, and they also make the area look much more modern and appealing. Due to this, it is a great idea to add a large mirror to the top of a mantel above your stone fireplace. 

Out of all the stone fireplace ideas, this one is slightly more subtle, but it can also make a big difference if you know how to match the mirror. Matching the mirror’s frame to the mantel can make the entire setup look nicely put together. And to top things off? You can always check yourself out as you walk by. 

 

Gray stacked stone fireplace with a large mirror at the top of it.

 

Try unique, different-colored stones 

 

Many people seem to believe that all the stones on a fireplace must be the same color. However, sometimes installing different colored stones can add a unique edge to the area and make people ask questions about what you did to make it look like that. It often works well with natural stones, but you can also paint them different colors.

The colors you choose are best depending on the aesthetic of your room. You can go for black and white if it matches your walls and furniture. Or you can opt for something a little more natural if you have warm tones spread across the room.

 

Small individual stone fireplace which are all painted different shades.

 

Keep things simple with a white mantel

 

We’ve already spoken about painting your stone fireplace white, but sometimes you don’t need to go all out. If you already have gray or black stone, you can introduce a pop of white by simply installing a new mantel or painting the one you already have white. 

Just like if you were to paint your mantel matte black or add a new material such as wood, it only makes a subtle change. However, the change is big enough for people to notice and can make your room seem much more inviting. 

 

Stone fireplace with a white mantel.

 

Add trim to your stone fireplace

 

Most stone fireplaces simply end where the stone does and are paired with a mantel shelf. However, while they aren’t as common, you can also get stone fireplaces that are built with a trim. This acts like a border and is best when it matches your mantel. 

The material your trim is often made out of wood or some form of metal. If your mantel is wooden, then you’ll want a wooden trim. And you will also want the color of your trim to be the same as your mantel. You are then left with a stone fireplace that seems much neater, and separating the area from the rest of the room is easier. 

 

Opt for a cozy and rustic aesthetic

 

Nothing says inviting more than warm and rustic. If you’re building your stone fireplace from scratch, there are a lot of different aspects you can incorporate to build this aesthetic. One of the main things is natural, uneven stones. You don’t want it to seem neat but rather like it is something you’d see out in the outdoors. 

When it comes to the mantel, you’ll probably want something wooden that has been lightly stained with the shade of your choice. What you put on the mantel is up to you, but for a perfectly rustic approach, you’ll want to maybe stack a few books that make the room feel cozy and comforting. 

 

Old fashioned fireplace burning a log.

 

A double-sided fireplace that stands out

 

We’ve already mentioned a ceiling-to-floor stone fireplace as one of the many variations out there, but another one is a double-sided fireplace. These are particularly great when you have a living room that opens straight into the dining room or kitchen. It allows you to feel the heat of the fire from both sides, and it offers a modern design. 

The fireplace looks kind of like a column in the center of the room, with the firepit in a hole that can be seen from both sides. The stone will surround the entire four walls of the column. It doesn’t have to be ceiling-to-floor, but double-sided fireplaces often are. 

 

Introduce a festive theme

 

There are so many holidays year-round, which means many opportunities to spruce up your stone fireplace with a festive theme. People love walking into a home that matches the closest holiday, and it can make any room seem much more cozy and welcoming.

Some examples of festive themes include wreaths and tinsel on and around the mantel during Christmas and paper turkeys and buntings when Thanksgiving comes around. You can also match the theme to the seasons, such as a snowy look in winter or lots of flowers when spring has sprung. How you choose to decorate is up to you, and you can even introduce your own personal styling into the themes.

 

Festive themed gray fireplace, with stockings hanging over it next to a Christmas tree.

 

Put together a farmhouse look

 

A farmhouse aesthetic is extremely popular when people are modernizing stone fireplaces because it adds a perfect contrast to the built-in material. A wooden mantel is a great place to start, but you really start to introduce the farmhouse look when you add a small wicker basket, feathers, leaves, and other earthy tones. 

There are a ton of different ways you can incorporate a farmhouse style into your stone fireplace, and what you choose to add can all come down to personal preference. However, you can’t go wrong with natural, warm colors (and possibly a nice bunting to hang on the mantel).

 

Place the stone fireplace in between shelves

 

As we’ve already mentioned, a stone fireplace is a central part of a room. But what do you put on either side of the wall when you’ve installed the fireplace? Shelves are a great addition to any wall, but they also add extra storage to your room as well. And you can never go wrong with extra storage. 

If you like this stone fireplace idea, you will probably want to install shelves with the same material and color as your mantel. It will make the two sides of the walls match the fireplace perfectly, and it will definitely be a sight to look at whenever you enter the room. 

 

Natural stone fireplace in between two brown shelves. Two black sofas infront.

 

Show off your memories on the mantel

 

Almost every stone fireplace has a mantel, but what do you want to put on top of it? You can never go wrong with a collection of picture frames and photos. They are a fantastic way to show off your memories with family and friends, and they can add an element of nostalgia each time you walk past them.

Having personal items and memories on your mantel can make your room seem much more inviting and homely, which is the main aim of any stone fireplace. You can change them whenever you want and add new photos and frames as you develop new memories.

 

 

Brick Fireplace Paint Ideas To Transform Your Space

A fireplace is the central feature of any living space and it should be treated as the star of the show. What better way to make the fireplace pop than with a great color scheme? When you use color on a key feature in the room, it ties the scheme of the rest of the place together, giving your home the sophistication you’re looking for while echoing your personal style and taste. 

In this post, we’re going to look at some great fireplace color ideas that will transform any room into a space you can be proud of. There are so many ways to accent your fireplace so that it becomes a talking point of the room, from mantel accents to painting the chimney a different color. The key is to have fun with it and let your style shine through. Check out our fireplace color ideas here! 

 

White-painted mantel

 

If you want to brighten up a space and take full advantage of a room’s natural light, a white color scheme is definitely the way to go. White has a calming effect on the rest of the room and creates a warm and cozy atmosphere when lit, contrasting with the orange and yellow flames. 

Painting the mantel white invites the opportunity to play with contrasting and complementary colors alike. It’s also a great way to highlight decorative pieces that sit on top of the mantel like family photos, ornaments, or artwork. 

Brick Anew’s Frosted Sunshine paint kit is a fantastic example of the colors you can use in a white-driven design. The scheme naturally reflects more light, making the room look brighter and adding a calming effect – perfect for a relaxed space like a lounge area. 

 

 

Color matching

 

Matching the fireplace color to another key feature of the room is another great way to decide on a color scheme for the fireplace. For schemes such as Brick Anew’s Misty Harbor, consider the colors that feature in the rest of the room. Misty Harbor combines light to medium gray with cream undertones, which means it won’t overpower the space but will invite the room’s attention. 

Brick Fireplace Paint Kit Brick Fireplace Paint Kit 5.0 (158 reviews) A versatile kit for painting brick fireplaces a fresh and modern look at economical prices From $229 View product

Larger items such as doors, rugs, and sofas make spectacular contrasting or matching points for the fireplace or just the mantel. If you want your fireplace to pop, avoid color-matching it with the walls and the floors. This will make it fade into the rest of the room due to a lack of contrast. 

For brighter colors, or matt black consider matching the color to smaller items that accent the same color. Think about pillows, artworks, indoor plants, or decorative artifacts that contain colors you love. When you take the plunge and paint your fireplace to match these items, you’ll be amazed at how color coordination can liven up a room.

 

misty harbor

 

Pastel Green and neutral tones

 

House plants are becoming the new pets of the home, and loads of people are bringing more and more greenery indoors. The dark green of leaves works well in spaces that have a neutral color scheme in the home. If you’re someone who has a lot of plants in your space, you can go one of two ways when you choose a fireplace color. 

A color scheme like Twilight Taupe will work well in a space with a lot of greenery as colors such as tans, browns, and beiges almost mimic the plants’ natural environments. It’s a great way to invite nature and serenity into the home. 

When a feature piece of a room is a certain color, the human eye is naturally drawn to other items in the room that are similar or the same colors. Using a toned-down pastel green will, therefore, highlight the plants in your living space – perfect for anyone who sees themselves as a plant parent! 

 

 

Sleek matte black

 

For those who love a sleek, modern flair in their homes, a matte back paint color on your fireplace will bring a dramatic dynamic to the room. Make sure you avoid any glossy effects when picking out your black paint. You want the fireplace to be a bold feature, but gloss can make the space look tacky. 

Matte black is a great way to make the fireplace the focal point of the room and works especially well when contrasted with light, neutral-colored walls. It is also especially cozy when there is a fire burning. If you go with a sleek matte black scheme, try to limit incorporating other colors into the feature. This can lead to overly-complicated color coordination which may detract from the intended atmosphere of the room. 

 

grey fireplace

 

Brightly painted mantel

 

Are you all about those beautiful, bright colors that emanate joy and fun into a space? Own it by painting your mantel a funky, bright color. When you opt for a bright color scheme, you have full permission to experiment and go a little crazy with featuring colors. 

Any interior designer will recommend using a color wheel to make sure your chosen color ties in well with the rest of the room. For example, if you have artwork in the space that has reds, yellows, burnt oranges, or even a deep cerise, be bold and try one of these out as fireplace colors. If you’re seeking inspiration, check out other pictures of painted fireplaces that go big on bright colors and see if they would work for you and your style. 

 

 

 

Calming blue

 

Using blue as a fireplace color or in your chimney painting ideas is an excellent play on color contrast. According to the color wheel, blue and orange are complementary colors, which means blue paint works well on a fireplace, as it complements the color of the flames when lit. This enhances the fireplace as a feature. 

However, in the warmer months, blue also creates a calming feeling in the room. According to color psychology, blue is the color of serenity and relaxation which many people love to have in their living spaces. A home should be a place where you can feel safe and calm and incorporating blue into the space can have this effect. What better way to highlight a color than painting your fireplace in it? 

 

 

Which scheme appeals to you? 

At the end of the day, the fireplace color you choose has to reflect your style. More importantly, the color has to make you happy! If you’re really stuck or simply overwhelmed with fireplace color ideas, look no further than Brick Anew and our fireplace products. We’re more than happy to offer expert advice and help to bring all of your amazing ideas together. The most important thing to remember is interior decorating needs to be fun and your projects should always be true to you. 

How To Update Your Fireplace On A Budget

Is your fireplace looking a little out of date? Has it been a while since you’ve given it a fresh new look? Well, maybe now is the time to do so. While a fireplace is a great addition to any room, it can’t always keep up with the changes you make throughout the years. That’s why every now and again, you may need to give it a little update to match your aesthetic. 

The great thing about updating a fireplace is that it doesn’t always have to be expensive. There are a ton of upgrades you can make without hurting your bank account too much. We have found six of the best ways you can update your fireplace on a budget for you to check out today. 

 

Replace your mantel

 

Your mantel is one of the most significant features of your fireplace, and having the right one is the best way to enhance the rest of your room. Unfortunately, mantels are often quite specific, so if you want to change the aesthetic of your room, you’ll probably need to replace your mantel as well.

While this isn’t the cheapest option, it is better than replacing your entire fireplace. For example, if you are opting for a more elegant look in your room, you may want a grand mantel full of beautiful carvings. For something a little more modern, you may opt for a sleek mantel made of marble. 

You can often save a few more bucks by purchasing a second-hand mantel on sites such as Gumtree or eBay too. 

 

 

Paint your old fire surround

 

If you’re happy with your mantel, but your fireplace still doesn’t look right, you can also consider painting the original surround. This is the area that is around your fireplaces, such as the edges and even the mantel itself. When a fireplace has been around for a while, the paint tends to chip, too, so you can give it a fresh look with a fresh coat of paint.

If your fireplace’s surround is wooden, you need to strip it and sand it before you start painting. Start with primer, and then apply two coats of wood paint. Tiles are incredibly easy to paint as well. When you move to the insert, you need high-heat enamel paint and a foam brush to achieve the perfect finish. 

 

 

misty harbor
A painted fireplace using our Misty Harbor paint

 

Cover it in white

 

We’ve already spoken about painting your fireplace, but have you thought about the color? You can never go wrong with a simple whitewash, especially if you are covering a brick fireplace. Often dull bricks can bring down the entire ambiance of a room, so providing it with a fresh coat of white paint brightens the place up and suits almost every aesthetic. 

Applying white paint to brick is extremely easy and doesn’t take too long. All you have to do is pour half-white latex paint and half water into a bucket and combine them together. Ensure the bricks are already clean before applying your first coat and add a second if you want a more opaque finish.   

 

                                                                                                   

Make it tiled

 

If you’ve tried painting as a method to modernize your fireplace, but decided that it isn’t doing its job, then you may want to try an extra step. Instead of simply changing the color, you can update the entire surround by piling on some tiles with a unique design. You can either use a glossy white, two-tones, or use your creativity to come up with something different. 

Applying tiles to an already-built fireplace saves you money more than starting from scratch, and it isn’t as difficult as it sounds. The first step is measuring the area you want to cover and ensure you have enough tiles to fit. Depending on the material of your fireplace, you can then apply the tiles using an adhesive or mix, spread, and comb mortar before adding the tiles. 

 

 

Rearrange the furniture and accessories

 

Sometimes you don’t even need to spend any money to update your fireplace. If you are already happy with the color and materials, then you may just need to give it a bit of a refresh. This can easily be done by simply moving around the furniture and other accessories in your room to make the fireplace stand out and rearranging the way your chosen decor sits on the mantel.

For example, if your fireplace is kind of in the background of your room, you may want to draw more attention to it. By moving all the chairs to point to the fireplace, you make it more central. You may even want to place your TV above it, and turn it into a media wall. Tactically move your decor as well so that everything looks sleek and more modern. 

 

 

Upgrade to an electric fire

 

You don’t have to remove your old fireplace to upgrade it to an electric fire. In fact, you can simply use the empty space to install a smaller electric fire, providing you with a modern approach but keeping the traditional look. Not only does it look fantastic and provides you with the warmth you desire, but it also comes with a wide range of other benefits. 

When you use an electric fire to block off the chimney, you gain more heat because you aren’t losing any of it due to a draft. Similarly, you also don’t need to worry about keeping your beloved furniture at a distance in case the heat from flames will destroy it, and no burning embers will shoot out of the fireplace either. 

 

 

Final thoughts 

 

Sometimes it is nice to make a change in your home’s decor without having to spend too much money. And your fireplace is a great place to start.  If you feel like your fireplace has been looking the same or too dull for too long, then you’ll certainly benefit from using one of the tips we have suggested above. And the best part? None of them take a lot of money or  manpower to accomplish.

How to Paint A Stone Fireplace

 

Supplies You’ll Need

 

When you’re getting ready to paint a stone fireplace, you’ll want to be careful about the type of paint you’re purchasing. Stone paint updates the color while keeping the look of real stone. This way, you’re not flattening it out. Your fireplace gets a facelift while maintaining its character.

In addition to stone paint, you’ll need:

  •   Painter’s tape
  •   A drop cloth or an old sheet
  •   A fireplace cleaner or mild liquid dish soap mixed with warm water
  •   A good scrubbing brush
  •   Paintable acrylic latex caulk (if there are cracks too big to be painted over)

 

Step 1: Prepare the Work Area

 

Preparing the work area is simpler than it sounds. Simply gather your supplies, clear the area of any decorative items, wood, tools, or fireplace screens, and use painter’s tape and drop cloth to section off any areas that need protecting. Tape the drop cloth to the floor around the fireplace to avoid drips. You’ll also want to tape around the mantel.

 

Step 2: Clean the Fireplace’s Surface

 

Next, you’ll want to break out your cleaner and brush and scrub the surface of your fireplace. Once it’s dry, check for cracks. Small ones are fine to paint over, but bigger ones will need to be filled in with the caulk we mentioned. If you have to fill some larger cracks before breaking out the stone paint, give the caulk enough time to dry before moving on to the next step.

 

Step 3: Choose Your Paint

 

As we mentioned earlier, it’s important to choose paint for stone, not just any ordinary paint. You can apply stone paint over previously painted stone just as easily as over stone that’s never been painted before.

Our stone fireplace paint kit contains everything you need to quickly transform your old fireplace into something new. In the kit, you’ll find base coat sealer, paint, a paint brush and tray, rollers, a sponge, and painter’s tape. Everything is pre-tested and pre-mixed, so it’s ready to use.

Your color options include:

  • Frosted sunshine: a mix of tan, gray, and yellowish cream that works well with other light colors and makes bold colors pop.
  • Misty harbor: a mix of light and medium grays with a subtle touch of cream that works well with gray carpeting or furniture and other cool color tones.
  • Twilight taupe: a mix of taupe, tan, beige, and cream that resembles natural sandstone. Easy to match to most color and décor schemes.  

 

Step 4: Paint the Fireplace

 

Now we’re getting to the good stuff! Your fireplace is prepped and clean, and you have your color. All that’s left to do is seal and paint. Pour some base coat sealer into your paint tray, dip and coat your roller evenly, and then work the roller over the fireplace’s surface from top to bottom. Use a brush to cover edges, corners, and tight spaces.

The sealer will help prevent your paint from soaking in and drying unevenly. It’ll also help prevent the old color from bleeding through and protect against rusting and peeling. Once your sealer is completely dry, follow the same steps with your stone paint; roll from the top down, use a brush to cut in around edges, cover corners, and dab into tight spaces.

For optimal results, paint for stone may require two coats. Allow your first coat to dry before you evaluate the color.

 

Step 5: Clean Up

 

Congratulations! You’ve upgraded your living space and saved thousands on renovations. But you’re not finished just yet. While it may be tempting to leave the cleanup for later, the longer painter’s tape stays on, the harder it is to remove. Remove it cautiously at a 45-degree angle so it doesn’t damage your fresh paint.

Once the mantel is clear, do the same for your drop cloths. Handle them carefully, as they may have globs of paint on them. Lastly, close up and put away your paint cans and wash your brushes and tools with warm, soapy water, rinsing them thoroughly to preserve them for future projects.

Now that that’s out of the way, you can kick back and enjoy that fireplace!

10 Beautiful Brick Fireplace Makeovers

 

Brick fireplaces are valuable additions to any home, but sometimes they don’t look quite how we want them to. It could be because you’ve just moved into a property that already has a brick fireplace, or you’re looking at redecorating your room, and your current brick fireplace doesn’t match the new aesthetic. 

Whatever the reason, sometimes you need a brick fireplace makeover, and there are a ton of ways you can do it. We’ve put together ten of the best ways to give your fireplace a new look, plus many photos of a before and after fireplace makeover. 

 

Modernizing with paint

 

A coat of paint is sometimes all a brick fireplace needs to look completely different. Many old brick fireplaces are red or brown, which may not fit in with the rest of your room. Over time, they may have started to discolor as well, so you want to introduce a new color that fits in with your aesthetic while making it appear new.

The color you choose is completely up to you and your own personal style, but if you want something a bit modern, you can’t go wrong with black, white, or gray. These tones match almost any style, and it means you can change the aesthetic of the room any time you like without having to paint it again.

Painting a brick fireplace is extremely easy, especially with one of Brick Anew’s fireplace painting kits. They have everything you need to ensure the job is completed to perfection.

 

Before & after

 

 

A brand-new fireplace mantel

 

Maybe it’s not the fireplace itself that needs a makeover, but simply just the fireplace mantel. It may not seem like a big part, but it can actually make all the difference when you replace it with something new. 

There are many materials to choose from when looking for a new fireplace mantel. Some people think installing a wooden mantel is a good idea, especially if you have wooden floors and furniture. However, you can also opt for certain types of metals with a shiny finish. It’s always a good idea to try and match it up to the decor in your room, and it can completely refresh the look of your brick fireplace.

If you’re looking for the perfect mantel but unsure which one will match your brick fireplace, you can browse the selection on Brick Anew and speak to one of our representatives. We are always happy to help give your fireplace the perfect makeover. 

 

Before

After

 

Tiling a fireplace

 

Maybe you don’t want a brick fireplace at all anymore, but you don’t want to go through the hassle of building a new one. Luckily, you can easily make it look like you’ve put in a new fireplace without it taking up too much time, creating a mess, or costing too much money. 

Tiling a brick fireplace is actually much more simple than you may believe. All you need is some strong tile adhesive and the tiles you want to put over the bricks. You can either stick to one color, such as a smooth white or create mosaic patterns throughout the tiles with different tones that match the rest of your room. Once you’ve decided what to do, you should smear a thin layer of adhesive on the brick and then stick the tile down. You may have to cut some of the tiles to ensure they all fit. 

 

From vintage to elegant

 

The main problem that people face with brick fireplaces is that they can often look outdated and although they were built back in the 1700s. This was especially the case when you didn’t have the fireplace built yourself, but it was already there when you moved into a new property. 

Many people who want to bring some mid-century elegance to their brick fireplace will opt to paint it, as we have already mentioned. However, choosing the right tone that doesn’t clash with the rest of the room is often the main problem. When your bricks are initially red and old, you may want to modernize them with a dark gray or even black. 

It may not sound so elegant initially, but it brings it into the 21st century. You will notice how it makes the room look much more in touch with the last decade, so don’t knock it until you try it. 

 

Before

 

After

 

 

Mortar wash makeover

 

Have you ever seen a mortar wash over a brick fireplace? It is truly a beautiful sight, and it definitely provides your area with a much more unique makeover. It is a bit like painting your fireplace, however, the final look isn’t as opaque, and some of the original brick will show through. 

The steps are also similar to painting a fireplace, but you’ll need mortar mix in your color of choice, normally white, instead of paint. Start by vacuuming your fireplace to remove debris, and then add painter’s tape to the edges. You’ll need to mix your mortar in a bucket before starting.

Begin by filling in the grout of your fireplace with mortar and then spread it from the grout lines all over the bricks. Repeat these steps until the grout lines are completely full with your chosen color. Choose how much brick you want to show through, and when you are happy with the result, you just have to wait for it to dry. 

 

A new beige fireplace

 

While most of the time, you don’t have to do much to update a brick fireplace and give it a makeover, other times, you may want to go the whole nine yards. This means actually replacing the brick itself. Many people are into marble at the moment, and you can’t go wrong with polished marble in a beige tone. 

You will have to remove the bricks from your fireplace and completely put in new marble, but at least you won’t have to build the chimney and surround it from scratch. Any shade of beige will look amazing, bringing extra warmth and light into the room with a Tuscan style that takes you straight to Italy in your own living room.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

 

 

Making it minimalist

 

When you look at your fireplace, is it surrounded with pieces of decor and odd knick-knacks that completely cover the mantel and parts of the surround? It can make it look cluttered and will draw attention from the actual beauty of your brick fireplace. That’s why you may need to dress it down and give it a more minimalist look.

Sometimes a brick fireplace doesn’t need much to stand out. If you aren’t happy with the color of the bricks, simply paint them with a color you like. Or if you want a new mantel, replace it. You don’t need to cover it completely with decor to try and give it style.

If you do want to place some things on the mantel, that is okay too, but don’t overdo it. Just a few pot plants or photos of your family can do just the job. As many people say, sometimes less is more, which is the case with brick fireplaces. 

 

Refacing a 1970s fireplace

 

If you haven’t updated your brick fireplace since the 1970s, then it might be time to do so now. Many fireplaces from that decade don’t come with a mantel, instead, it is covered in wood paneling. It looks nothing like the fireplaces that are built today, and it can make your room look older than it needs to. 

But it’s okay, as there are tons of things you can do, such as giving it a full makeover, so it stands out once again. You can get rid of the wooden paneling and finally give the fireplace the mantel it has always wanted. 

You can also reface the brick on the fireplace and put tile in place instead. It is a method that many choose when they want something completely new. And as we’ve already mentioned, it isn’t hard to do. 

 

Introducing a modern look

 

Most of the makeovers we’ve mentioned already give your brick fireplace an updated look, but there are other ways to make it a bit more modern. Painting it white is always one of the best choices, but gray is a clear second best as it makes the area look sleek and ready to match the rest of the room. 

There are also a few other ways you can introduce a touch of modernity, such as providing the fireplace with a gloss or matte finish. You also can’t go wrong with a few pieces of contemporary decor to make the look stand out.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

 

Cement and wood improvement

 

Who says you must stick to one material when updating your brick fireplace? Some opt to replace it with tile, while others want to put a metallic mantel in place. However, have you ever considered a wood and cement improvement that brings the two materials together in one place?

A wooden mantel can really bring a fireplace together, and if you have one that is starting to splinter or are unhappy with your current mantel, it is always a good idea. It is also great to put a cement slab on the floor where you can keep your firewood and prevent any flames and ashes from reaching the carpet or hardwood.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

The Best Easter Decoration Ideas For Your Fireplace

 

When you think of the holidays, what comes to mind? For many, it is often immediately Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. They are three holidays known for decorating, whether it’s with trees, turkeys, or pumpkins. However, a holiday that many people seem to miss out on and which has a lot of great potential in terms of decor is Easter.

During the springtime, after your yearly cleaning, it may seem like the time to update your fireplace decorations. The only problem is many people don’t have many ideas about how to decorate the area. Luckily, Easter is just around the corner at this time, so you can use some of these creative ideas. 

 

Why put up Easter fireplace decorations?

 

Just like other holidays such as Christmas, Easter is a popular time of year. It represents many things and is especially exciting for kids and families. Sometimes we need a little magic in our lives, and by putting up Easter decorations around your fireplace and mantel, you can bring it into your home for the months leading up to the holiday. 

When people come around your house and see your well-designed decorations, they’ll be in complete awe, and you’ll be the talk of the neighborhood. It makes your home seem cozier, and it is just nice to look at in general. 

 

Easter fireplace decoration ideas

 

Ready to get decorating for Easter? Here are our top six best ideas:

 

Easter bunny decorations

 

The bunny is one of the biggest icons when it comes to Easter, so it is no surprise that placing some Easter bunny decorations around your fireplace and mantel will help you get into the holiday spirit. There are some unique ways you can incorporate bunnies around the area and make them match the rest of your room’s aesthetic for the season. 

You can either go the easy route and purchase some bunny decorations from your local store, whether it’s a figurine or bunting. Or you can get creative and make your own bunny decorations. All you have to do is find a DIY video on YouTube, and you’ll give your fireplace a more impressive edge.

 

Farmhouse-style Easter mantel

 

Your fireplace doesn’t have to have a childish charm when you decorate for Easter, but rather you could give your mantel something a little more elegant. You can add a touch of nature to the center of the area by placing some real or fake spring flowers, such as daisies and dahlias, into terra cotta pots. 

If the flowers don’t seem like enough to represent Easter, then you can always add a small chalkboard to stand against the mantel behind the flowers. What you write on it is up to you, but you can’t go wrong with a ‘Happy Easter’ or ‘Happy spring’.

 

Rainbow display of cardboard eggs

 

Add a splash of color to your room by creating your own Easter eggs. Of course, these ones don’t have to be made out of chocolate, especially if you want them to withstand the heat from your fireplace. Instead, you can make some rainbow-themed eggs made out of cardboard and paint them yourself. 

Once your Easter eggs have been created, you are going to want to figure out how to display them. You can either line them up to look like a rainbow, or you can fill them in a wicker basket to give them a more festive look. Either way, it is a great decoration, especially if you have kids and want them to get excited about Easter too. 

Hang seasonal bunting across the mantel

 

Sometimes you don’t need to go all out when decorating your fireplace for Easter, and a simple bunting is all you need to feel ready for Spring. The options are endless regarding what design and colors you use, and you can always go out and buy a ready-made one or save some money by making your own.

The most popular types of buntings include flags with bunnies or eggs on them, but you can also focus more on a spring theme with some flowers. This is a fantastic option when you want something to match the rest of your room’s aesthetic, as there is something for everyone. 

 

Incorporate candles

 

No matter what time of year it is, you can never go wrong with some candles. They come in all shapes and sizes, and you can easily find one that matches spring and Easter. For example, there are bound to be some Easter bunny-shaped candles available that you can put on either end of your mantel. 

If you want something a little more understated, you can opt for pastel colors representing the spring or special scents such as freshly cut grass or flowers. Not only will they look great and add something to your fireplace, but they will also smell fantastic when you light them up. 

 

Display an Easter tree

 

Who said Christmas is the only time of year you can put up a tree? You can still get festive when it’s Easter by placing a fake pine tree, similar to the one you’d use in December, either next to your fireplace or on the mantel. It can either be in the traditional green, or you can opt for some spring colors such as yellow or pink.

The decorations you put around your Easter tree allow you to be creative. You can combine anything from bunnies and eggs to flowers and special tinsel. It’ll be unlike anything anyone else has in their homes, and you’ll definitely stand out in the neighborhood. 

 

Final thoughts

 

Decorating your fireplace, whether it’s at Christmas or Easter, is a way to brighten up any room, and it can also be extremely therapeutic. It is a fun way to get creative and start feeling excited about a new season. You can either use one of the ideas we have suggested for you or try something different, but you certainly won’t regret it. 

How To Decorate Your Unused Fireplace

 

Sometimes we have a fireplace in our homes, but have no use for it. Maybe it came with the house you bought, and it has already been tiled up. Or maybe you have another source of heat, and there is no practicality to using the fireplace. In these cases, it may seem like a waste of space, but there are actually some ways you can utilize it with a bit of creativity. 

With a nice coat of paint or a bit of unique decor, you can make your fireplace a central part of the room without having to use it. Need some inspiration? Keep reading to discover eight ways you can transform your unused fireplace into a decorative focal point in your room.

 

Renew with rustic

 

You may not be using your fireplace, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it look like it’s being used. By putting together a rustic look, you can ensure your fireplace stays clean all the time by providing guests with the illusion that it is functioning. 

All you have to do is give your unused fireplace a good cleaning until it is sparkling. You can then gather a few pieces of wood and stack them together to make it look like you’ll be lighting a fire. You can also place a basket with other pieces of wood to place next to the fireplace to make it look more realistic. 

 

Fill it with plants

 

Do you have a green thumb? If you do, and you want to make your room a bit more natural, then you can always use the extra space in your unused fireplace as a place to store your plants. There are a ton of ways you can get creative this way, and how you incorporate your plants is entirely up to you!

You may want to make it look like leaves are cascading out of the fireplace, with vines hanging off the mantel to give it an untamed, wild look. Or maybe you want to keep it simple with a few potted flowers. The options are endless. 

 

Paint it white

 

Are you looking to update your entire room, but your fireplace is standing out too much? Maybe you have a red brick fireplace, but you want to give your room a more modern black-and-white color scheme. If this is the case, you only need a fresh coat of paint. 

White goes with anything, so even if your walls are yellow and your furniture is black, you can still paint your fireplace white, and it will look okay. It is a neutral color, so if you ever decide to update your room again, you don’t have to go through with the hassle of painting it over again. 

 

Add an electric heater

 

Do you want to add heat to your room without the hassle of cleaning up ash and soot each time you light a fire? Then you can always incorporate a heater into the unused space of your fireplace. If done properly, it will look sleek and modern and save space compared to if you were to add the electric heater anywhere else in the room.

The type of heater you add is entirely up to you, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be electric. You could even place a wood-burning stove into the spare space to provide a bit more creativity to the center of the room. 

 

Make it marble

 

Marble is a timeless material and it provides any room with an updated look that you won’t be able to get with any other. This would almost be impossible if you were already using your fireplace and wanted to add a marble adhesive. Adhesives will often melt or dislodge due to the heat, so it is impractical. 

The great thing about updating an unused fireplace is that you don’t have to worry about how the heat of the fire will affect the materials or decorations you dress it with. Therefore, marble is something you may want to consider as a new addition. 

 

Try some timber

 

While you can stack some firewood in your unused fireplace to make it seem like it is being used, you can also use the spare space as an area to store wood. If you often have outdoor bonfires or BBQs, you may not have a spot to store your firewood. Therefore, why not kill two birds with one stone and use it to decorate your fireplace? 

It provides your room with a rustic feel and also blocks up the unused fireplace to prevent any drafts from coming into the room. Just make sure you clean up the fireplace first, and the area will look perfect. 

 

Make it a cozy pet bed

 

Do you have a dog or a cat? Are you looking for a new spot in your home to place their bed? Instead of tripping over it on the floor in the middle of the room, why not put it in the spare space in your unused fireplace? Pets love a small space to cuddle up in, so they would no doubt love falling asleep on a bed in your fireplace. 

You can make the entire space cozy by dressing it up with some blankets and toys for your pet. Make sure they know it’s the place for them to settle down, and they’ll be spending all their time there before you know it. 

 

Bring in some seasonality

 

Celebrating holidays is some of the most fun times of the year, so why not show it by dressing up your unused fireplace to represent each season? In winter, you may want to add some Christmas decorations, such as bright lights, tinsel, and even a small Christmas tree in the hollowed-out space.

You can also use the fall season to represent Halloween with a few spooky unused fireplace decorations. Summertime may be the best time to add some florals, and spring is a great season to update your fireplace with some Easter creativity.

How To Create The Perfect Media Wall With A Fireplace

Back in the day, you had a brick fireplace in your home, and that was it. You could paint it, but other than that, you were stuck with that design. However, now that we’re in the modern age, a fireplace can provide you with so much more than heat. It is a place to display your belongings, something to match the aesthetic of your room, and even something to mix together with technology. 

If you want to update your fireplace or add a unique and modern fireplace to your room, you may want to consider a media wall. It is an innovative addition that will make all your visitors drop their jaws in awe. 

Keep reading to find out exactly how you can build one. 

 

What is a media wall?

 

Before you start your media wall, you must first know what one is. They’ve been around for the last decade, especially when flat-screen TVs started to become a big hit. People no longer had to place their chunky TV on a stand, but now they could mount them on the wall, even above their fireplace. 

Therefore, a media wall is simple. It is a wall with a piece of technology, such as a television or an electronic picture frame. You can have it with or without a fireplace, but combining them together gives you a much better result. 

 

Steps to create a media wall fireplace

 

Ready to get started in building your own fireplace media wall? All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

 

Put together some inspiration and design ideas

 

Before you start gathering materials, you want to have an idea of what sort of media wall you will place in your room. Do you want it to match the aesthetic of your furniture? Or do you want it to stand out a little more? There are a ton of things to consider, and you can often make your decision by looking for some inspiration.

The internet is a great place; you can often find images and descriptions of other people’s fireplace media walls. You may find something that fits your exact needs right away, or you may have to look a little longer. 

 

The wall

 

Once you know the type of fireplace media wall you want, you need to find where you’re going to put it together. Not every wall is able to withhold a TV and fireplace, so you need to find one that can. Most media walls are stud walls built from a wooden frame and covered in plasterboard. If you don’t have one of these, you may have to consider alternative options. 

Another consideration will be whether you’ll be adding any additional features to your wall or if you want the TV and fireplace to be central and alone. You could always add some bookshelves, photo frames, or other storage facilities, but the choice is entirely up to you. 

 

The fireplace

 

Finding the wall is probably one of the easier steps, but now you need to decide what sort of fireplace you want to add to it.

 

 

 

Will it fit?

 

Fireplaces don’t all come in the same size, and some are bigger than others. If you have a specific fireplace in mind, you need to figure out whether it is actually going to fit on your wall first. You will need first to figure out how much space it will take up based on how it is incorporated into the wall and then take complete measurements.

 

If it seems like your fireplace may just fit in the space, we don’t recommend taking the risk. Instead, you may have to just give up the fireplace you were first looking at and find one that meets your dimensions and your needs. 

 

Heat output

 

The whole point of a fireplace is that it will heat up your room during the winter months. Therefore, there isn’t much point in purchasing a fireplace that isn’t going to do its job efficiently. Any fireplace you choose should have a front heater, ensuring all the warmth is generated into your room and not within the wall. 

Other accessories like glass fireplace doors can also help with heat output. They prevent too much cold air from coming through the chimney and into your room when the fire isn’t burning. 

 

 Clearance

 

While you’ve already checked that the fireplace will fit on the wall, you also need to check that there is enough space around your fireplace as well. This includes any furniture that may not be able to be moved. The heat of a fire can be intense if you are too close to it, so you don’t want any personal effects that can be damaged nearby. 

 

Often, a fireplace manufacturer will guide you on how much clearance you will need. Look this up before purchasing the fireplace and ensure that your room can handle it. 

 

Design

 

Of course, you want to ensure that the fireplace you’re purchasing and adding to your media wall suits the aesthetic and design of your room. If you want a modern fireplace, you may want to opt for an electric one with a sleek, black, or marble finish. If your room is slightly more traditional, you may want a whitewashed brick fireplace with distinct carvings in the mantel.

 

It is best to shop around for the perfect fireplace rather than settle on the first one you see. Your media wall will be with you for a long time, so you don’t want to have any regrets once it has been installed. 

 

The television

 

Last but not least, you need to figure out what television you want. Of course, it has to be one that can be mounted on the wall, therefore, it should be a flatscreen. Every other aspect of your TV is entirely up to you. Will you be using it just for cable TV? Or will you be watching streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime? You might want to opt for a Smart TV or one with extra HD. 

 

It is the final step in your media wall, and there are thousands of options out there, so make sure you find the right one. 

 

Final thoughts

 

A fireplace media wall is a fantastic addition to any home, but it isn’t an easy thing to make. Luckily, with the help of Brick Anew, you can paint your fireplace to give it a modern, updated look.  You can also find the perfect set of fireplace glass doors to add a finishing touch. Your fireplace is best when it has all the right accessories, and we will help you find the perfect ones so you are happy for years to come. 

Top 6 Fireplace Design Trends of 2022

The world of style is changing all the time, and this isn’t always just referring to the fashion world. In fact, interior designers are always finding new ways to update people’s homes and make them look more elegant and modern than ever before. One aspect they have been focusing on this year is fireplaces as well. 

If you’re thinking of updating your current fireplace or installing a brand new one in a room in your home, you may want to know what is ‘in’ at the moment. That’s why we’ve gathered the top fireplace design trends to help you out and provide inspiration. 

 

Minimalist fireplaces

Fireplaces don’t need to show off too much to be memorable, and that’s why many people have been opting for low-key fireplaces this year. Instead of intricate patterns and bright colors, you can settle for a neutral and smooth fireplace that blends in with the rest of your room. People can then focus on the fire instead of the design. 

Marble fireplaces

Marble is a material that never gets old, and it is especially ‘in’ this year. It is simply timeless and provides a room with a luxurious appeal. They come in all sorts of colors, but most people tend to settle for the typical black and white. It isn’t too much, but it adds a little bit of texture you can’t go wrong with. 

 

Practical use of space

While a fireplace is often a central feature of a room, that doesn’t mean it has to take up much space. If you like to place many things against or on your wall, you may want a functional fireplace that doesn’t take up much space. You can also place your television or other items above the fireplace to save even more space. 

 

Modern fireplaces

What is modern in style is always changing, but it tends to remain minimalistic, sleek and has some form of technology. Electric fireplaces are all the rage for people who want to put their fire on with the click of a button and not worry about loading wood and smoke. They also come in many different colors, but you can never go wrong with a smooth black. 

Room divider fireplaces

If you’re considering separating a room by adding a wall, why not turn it into a fireplace instead? You will be able to see the fire from both sides, and you will then have two new rooms to decorate and furnish. It is especially popular to be in the middle of a kitchen and living room and can help you kill two birds with one stone. 

 

Wallpaper surround

Looking for something a little funkier than the standard smooth colors? Why not update the surround of the fireplace you have installed by pasting a unique wallpaper and pattern onto it? As long as it matches the rest of your room and even your walls, it can help your fireplace blend in.

Top 8 Ways To Decorate Your Fireplace For Christmas

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year, and many of you have probably already started putting up the Christmas tree and other festive decorations. Your fireplace also needs to be stripped down of all the fall decor and replaced with something that represents this time of the year. But how do you do this when you’ve never done it before? Or maybe you just want to switch things up from previous years.

Luckily, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to festive fireplace decorations, and you can choose the design and layout that best suits you. We’ve found eight of the best ways you can decorate your fireplace this Christmas, so find the best one and try it out. 

 

Match your tree

Most people use the same Christmas tree and decorations every year, so you most likely already have a theme and layout that you’ve been using. You don’t want to have a blue and white colored Christmas tree and then a red and green fireplace mantel, so the best thing is to match the two. 

Use similar decorations that are placed on your decoration tree around your fireplace. For example, if you use silver tinsel, then place some around the mantel and add some glittery silver angels on the top as well. They will complement each other beautifully. 

 

Introduce festive florals

If your fireplace mantel is usually a place where you place seasonal flowers, then you don’t have to change this theme when it comes to Christmas time. In fact, you can add a ton of festive florals to the surroundings of your fireplace to give it a more magical edge while it matches the rest of your decorations. 

You may want to keep it simple with a singular wreath hung up above your fireplace, or you can add a number of different bouquets spread across the mantel. Anything from red petals to leafy greens can provide you with a Christmassy yet natural feel while brightening up the room. 

 

Give the decor lots of height

 

You don’t have to keep your decorations small, like on your Christmas tree when sprucing up your fireplace. In fact, sometimes the taller, the better. It brings a lot of attention to the area and can make it seem much more exciting than any other time of the year. You can extend many items above your fireplace, and what you choose is up to you. 

You can either place some tall gold candlesticks on the mantel of the fireplace or some long-leaved festive plants. The number of possibilities is endless, but it’ll help your fireplace area stand out much more than the rest of the room. 

 

An all-white color scheme

What is one thing you think of when the word ‘Christmas’ comes to mind? Snow! There are a ton of festive songs all about this glorious icy phenomenon, and you may want to introduce the same theme to your fireplace. Incorporating a range of white decorations around your fireplace will give your room a snowy appeal.

White tinsel is a great place to start, and you can hang it around the frame and mantel of the fireplace. From there, you may want to add a number of stars, snowglobes, or little snowmen to show off. You can finish the decorations with cut-up fake snow to present your winter wonderland to anyone visiting. 

Add ornaments

Many people collect figurines and display them on their fireplaces all year round, and if this sounds like you, then you can do the same with Christmas ornaments. Similar to the sort of items you hang on your Christmas tree, they are small, but they can also be sentimental and come with a story. 

There are various ways you can showcase your ornaments, whether it’s a number of biblical items that display a nativity scene or a collection of bright bulbous that make your mantel look even more magical. Either way, it makes your decorations much more special and unique than anyone else. 

 

Showcase your Christmas favorites

Do you have any Christmas sets that mean a lot to you? Maybe you put them on the window sill or on top of the piano all the other years. However, now you have a fireplace, and you can display them front and center for anyone who comes to visit.

Your Christmas favorites may be different from everyone else’s, however some people tend to have similar items. You can have anything from a porcelain Father Christmas doll to a Little Drummer Boy, and they will no doubt put a smile on people’s faces. You can even place them in silly poses each day, as though the magic of Christmas is making them move. 

 

Make it asymmetrical

Things don’t need to match when it comes to Christmas decorations, which is the festive season’s beauty. While stockings are often hung on the fireplace, you may choose to have them on one side and a bit of decorative tinsel hanging on the other side. They may not match, but sometimes it just works. 

If your color scheme is red and green, you can also use this to your advantage when making your decorations asymmetrical. You can have an ‘all green’ decorative side of the fireplace and then replace the other side with ‘all red’ decorations. It is a bit edgier, but it can make your fireplace stand out. 

 

Keep it simple 

You don’t have to bombard your fireplace mantel with a ton of decorations to make it look Christmassy. In fact, sometimes less is more. You may choose to just add a bit of tinsel to the trim of the mantel and call it a day, or introduce a wreath to the wall above the fireplace, which is central to the room.

Sometimes adding too many decorations can make the fireplace look tacky, and there is no real theme to what you’re trying to do. Choose some of your favorite decorations, add them to the top of your fireplace and then call it a day. 

7 Bright Ideas for Decorating Your Frosted Sunshine Fireplace

We’ve walked hundreds of homeowners through the process of painting their fireplaces with the Frosted Sunshine paint kit.  The golden-grey tones in the paint really brighten and open up a space.

Many homeowners find themselves with the desire to add a few new decorations to tie the room together.  Others need to replace some outdated furniture that looked fine with the old fireplace but is a bit shabby with the new one.

We chose these pieces specifically for their high-quality, their good reviews, and the way they go seamlessly with the frosted sunshine paint kit.

Choosing Furniture

This DHP Andora Coil Sofa in Faux Leather doubles as a futon.  You’ll have plenty of space for an extra guest or just to get extra comfy for a movie night.

The couch is well rated and the faux leather will hold up over time.  The seats have spring coils for extra support and long-use.Reviewers say it’s easy to assemble and quick to pull out into the futon.  And at under $350, it’s a great value for the money.This Armless Floral Accent Chair from Best Choice Products has beautiful colors on a light ivory background.  It’s the perfect way to add some color to your living room.

Reviewers love the chairs, though some buyers have found them a little bit short.Adding bright colors, especially in such a vibrant pattern is an easy way to make your space sand out.  This is a head-turning piece, and you’re sure to get compliments.This Antique Tobacco Coffee Table by Linon Home Dcor is a great accent to the warm tones in your brick, especially if you have a mantel or mantle shelf in a similar color.

For the $100 price, it is a great value.  Reviewers say it’s relatively easy to assemble and that it holds up well over time.Adding bright colors, especially in such a vibrant pattern is an easy way to make your space sand out.  This is a head-turning piece, and you’re sure to get compliments.

Adding Decorations

These birch twigs from ECOVENIK with this chic turquoise vase from VANCORE would be a lovely addition to a mantel.  The tones in the Frosted Sunshine kit work well with the shabby chic/farmhouse decor that has become more and more popular.You could use faux flowers or greenery instead of the branches if that won’t work well in your space.  If the season is right and you don’t mind the extra work, you can use live flowers as well!This COTULIN Modern Table Lamp has a unique gold base adds a bit of elegance to your space, especially if you don’t have any metallic accents left into your space.  Lamps look nice in pairs of two, sitting on either end of a couch or long table.

If you already have nice lighting in your space, try using golden lightbulbs in your lamps.  During the day, you won’t need to turn them on, but at night they add lovely ambiance along with your fire.These Vintage LED Edison Bulbs are dimmable so you can adjust the brightness to set the mood.  Adjustable bulbs are a great way to control your evening atmosphere, from industrial to romantic.Adding pictures of you and your family to your mantel is an awesome way to make your living room feel like home.  You can replace the pictures yearly or choose some old favorites to keep all the time.Any of these cute frames would go very well with the cream tones in your Frosted Sunshine kit.  Think about what pictures you want to put in the frames and the rest of your decor in your room.  This can help with deciding on the final color.

Final Thoughts

A new fireplace gives your whole room a new feel.  It can be exciting, but it may also make you realize that your furniture and decor was a little bit outdated.

By investing in a new sofa or getting some picture frames to match the fireplaces, you can tie the whole room together without breaking the bank.  Don’t forget to send us pictures to our customer service email!

9 Knockout Ways to Decorate Around Your Misty Harbor Fireplace

If you’ve recently painted your brick with our Misty Harbor Paint Kit, your room has gotten a serious facelift.  At this point, many homeowners find themselves in need of a few new pieces to tie the whole room together.

If you’ve found yourself in a similar position, take a look at the following ways you can finish off your newly revitalized space:

Add a Pop of Color

The grey tones in your fireplace hold their own against one or two vibrant colors.  Take a look at these pillows.Bright without being shockingly neon, these decorative velvet throw pillows from MIULEE add some interest to the cool grey tones of your fireplace.  The velvet texture is bold and elegant while keeping everything comfortable.Purple colors also work well with grey tones.  Purple adds to the cool, lightweight feel of a space.

This fleece throw blanket by Bedsure is soft for increased coziness during by-the fire moments.  This particular blanket comes in lots of different sizes so you can pick the best for your needs.If your space currently has almost no accent color, you may want to add multiple colors at once!  This modern floral area rug by Unique Loom has beautiful, vibrant shades that would immediately liven up your space.

With a couple pieces on the mantel to tie it all together, this rug can become an amazing accent to your new fireplace

Accessorize the Mantel

The second thing you can do to add to your new fireplace is spruce up your mantel.  Before the Misty Harbor paint kit, your brick was old and outdated, and you may have needed to use some outdated decor with it.Some updated decor for your new brick look is a great way to dramatically improve your fireplace.  This grey-toned wood sign can be customized with the names of your family members.

It’s large enough to act as the center of your mantel display, but it’s not so large as to overpower everything else on the mantel. Speaking of which, another lovely addition to a mantel is vases with faux flowers.  These faux lavender plants are a gorgeous addition to a fireplace mantel.

They’re low maintenance so you can enjoy them year-round without any hassle or stress.  Real flowers also make a nice addition to a mantel, but they can be expensive to maintain and replace.If you are finding that your mantel doesn’t quite fit with your fireplace anymore, Brick-Anew can help.  Check out our selection of mantel shelves here.

Update Your Furniture

A third way to update your space is by updating your furniture.  When your fireplace is outdated, you can get away with a slightly outdated sofa as well.

Once you’ve given your fireplace a facelift, however, you’ll quickly notice sagging cushions or worn armrests.  Plus, your room has a lighter feel than it used to and may need a bit of adjustment.Pink and grey tones look lovely together, and this pink velvet loveseat from Artechworks would be the perfect addition to your new fireplace.

Small enough that you could fit another sitting piece into the room, this small couch is in a lovely pastel pink color.  Even though the color isn’t super bright, grey and this shade of pink are a unique, stand-out combination.If you’re planning on adding color elsewhere, you may need something a bit simpler.  These chairs are simple, but beautiful.With plenty of cushion for a comfy resting place, these modern accent chairs from STHOUYN are an excellent choice for fireside evenings.  The dark grey is a lovely addition to a room that already has some lighter grey tones, like you find in your Misty Harbor paint kit.

Mirror, Mirror

The final way we recommend decorating is by using a mirror.  A large mirror can really open up your room.  Mirrors also make rooms appear brighter and more refined.

This MCS sloped mirror has a beautiful ornate frame that will look lovely with other grey tones. 

Or you could go with a simpler look that really highlights the mirror itself.This Titanium Hubba Mirror by Umbra has a thin, simple frame that has a somewhat industrial look to it.  It comes at an excellent price; many customers say that it looks like it costs much more than what they paid for it!

Final Thoughts

Anytime you make a radical change to your home, you may find it necessary to add a few new pieces to your decor.  This ensures your home looks seamless.

After finishing your Brick-Anew project with the Misty Harbor paint kit, you may consider updating your home’s decor.

Captivating Fall Mantel Decor Ideas

The days are getting cooler and cooler, and my mind is turning to fall.  The mantel is the perfect place to start my fall decorating.

A cozy fire with orange flames is fall decor in and of itself, so adding some autumn decor to the mantel is an easy way to make the fireplace really set the mood.

I’ll be talking about three main design schemes: classic, farmhouse/rustic, and modern.  Each of these things is equally beautiful, but they are all very different.

How to Choose a Design Theme

Each of the mantels I’m going to show you has a theme: modern, rustic, farmhouse, classic, etc.  Obviously, you want to pick a theme that you like, but there is another factor to consider.

When decorating, it’s important to pick a theme that won’t stand out from the decor you currently have.  So when you’re looking at the pictures below, think about how it would look in your current living situation.

If you have bright accent colors, a super colorful mantel will look odd.  Try white pumpkins and some faux greenery.

If your room has lots of neutral shades, some bright oranges and reds might look lovely!  In a neutral space, more whites and greys will just be dull.

So try to find a style that  you like but will also fit in well with your current decor.

Classic

Classic fall mantel decor incorporates the colors of the fall leaves.  Red, orange, and brown vibrant shades are prominent.  Natural elements like pumpkins, garlands, and wreaths are common in this decor style.

Classic decor is a good choice if your room has neutral, green, or purple shades.  If your room already incorporates reds, oranges, and browns, try another decorating theme so your fall decor really pops.

Here are some items you may want to incorporate into your fall decor:

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Farmhouse/Rustic

This seasonal decor includes lots of browns and muted shades of orange and red.  Hay, straw, wood, and glass are popular items to decorate with.

You might also find wood frames, mason jars, and fall flowers.  You can use blankets, books, and picture frames if they fit the color scheme.  This decor scheme is the easiest to incorporate items you already have in your house into.

This is a great decor scheme to use if you already have a farmhouse-style living space.  If you have a bright house with lots of white and off white colors, the browns and muted colors of the farmhouse scheme look lovely.

This decor scheme looks especially nice with brick fireplaces that have muted red tones.

Here are some items you may want to incorporate into your home decor:

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Modern

A modern mantel display has white, grey, and green colors.  You’ll see mini pumpkins and lots of faux greenery.  You can easily incorporate some Halloween decoration by adding bats or a hanging sign.

To keep things bold, you can incorporate a large sign or mirror on the mantel.  Or, you can add height by using tall candles or vases with greenery.

This theme looks great in a living room that already has a pop of color.  If you have vibrant colors in your room already, fall colors will look odd so greens and whites are the way to go.

Here are some items you may want to incorporate; we’ve found that Amazon has better prices than most local craft stores:[content-egg module=Amazon template=grid next=8]

Final Thoughts

I’m so excited for this fall season.  I’ve already started my shopping for fall decor, and I’m searching my house for other things to incorporate.

We’d love to see what you come up with in your own home!  Tag us on Instagram (brickanew) or Facebook (Brick-Anew) so we can see your fall decor!

Forgotten Fall Fireplace Decor Secrets

*This image property of Janelle Hamann, janelletrinette.com When I walked outside yesterday, I couldn’t believe what I saw and felt.  Leaves in brown and gold colors were scattered around the ground.  A breeze was blowing.  The sky had lost it’s pool-blue color that reigns during summer time.  

That’s right.  Fall is on the way.

It feels like summer started just a little bit ago, but fall is right around the corner and with fall comes all that orange and red decor that is stashed away for most of the year.

The fireplace is home to warm orange-yellow flames.  Even if you don’t have a fire going, adding some fall decor to your fireplace evokes mental images of roaring fires.  This makes the fireplace a super powerful decoration tool: it brings out the power of the imagination.

There are three main areas of your fireplace that you can decorate: the hearth, the firebox, and the mantel.  We’ll look at decoration ideas for all of them, but first we need to pick a color scheme.

The Vision: Choosing a Color Scheme

This is the first step to fireplace decor.  This way the decor is consistent from mantel to hearth.  Autumn colors include yellows, oranges, reds, golds, bronze, and browns.

Rustic decor often includes grey shades while more modern decor incorporates greens.  Whatever you choose, try and use an off-white or cream shade as well.  Your fall decor might look outdated without it.

TIP: Your color scheme should work with, not against your room’s current colors.

If your living room is decorated in muted neutrals, try using a candy-apple red and gold.  If your room already has lots of color, a deep brown and a muted orange might be the way to go.

Fall Decor Ideas for the Hearth

An amateur decorator might pile a bunch of fall-related items on the hearth and call it a day.  Instead, we need to carefully select items and where they’ll be placed.
a crowded fireplace hearth
unbalenced mantel
In general, we want to include decor on both sides of the fireplace.  Making the sides reflect each other is beautiful and elegant.  Mismatching the decor looks rustic and charming.
fireplace hearth with reflected decor
fireplace hearth with mismatched decor

Tip: Appealing height patterns include shorter-taller-shorter and a short item next to one or more tall items.

In the first image, you see the shorter-taller-shorter height pattern.  They have arranged books then a lantern then a pumpkin.  In the second image, you see two tall metal buckets paired with a short pumpkin.

If you are mismatching the decor, you can use either of the height patterns, but you want something on the second side that is in between the heights of the items on the first side.  In the second image, the goose’s height is in between those of the buckets and pumpkin.

Tip: A very tall item looks odd on its own; it should go with other items in one of the height patterns.

hearth with pumpkins on either side
A collection of items of similar height can also be appealing.

But you’ll want to add variety in another way.  These pumpkin collections are similar in height, but each pumpkin is unique in color and size.

As far as the items you choose, you can use quite a variety.  Pumpkins, of course, are popular as are buckets, blankets, baskets, candles, faux greenery, straw, and signs.  Here are some of my favorite options that all come at a great value:

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Fall Decor Ideas for the Firebox

If you’re in the south like me, you know that it won’t actually be cold enough for a fire until at least November or December.  So I like to use my firebox for more decor.

Tip: Make sure the hearth and firebox decor go seamlessly together by keeping one of the two simple.

The firebox can either be a focal point with metallic pumpkins in a warm gold or have more natural elements like fall leaves.

If I’m drawing attention to the firebox, I like to give it a coat of paint to hide any dirt or soot stains.  You’ll need to use a heat resistant paint so that it doesn’t flake away when you start a fire.  This really takes firebox decor to the next level.
fireplace screen with hay wreath
If you are planning on burning in your fireplace this fall, try adding a simple wreath to the screen.  You can take it off easily when you’re ready for a fire.

Fall Decor Ideas for the Mantel

Now we’ve made it to the fireplace mantel.  It’s crucial at this step to realize the fireplace is one whole made of three parts.  You can create a beautiful mantel that looks horrible with your hearth and firebox.

Tip: Include one element from the hearth or firebox to keep things unified and a few unique items to distinguish the mantel.

If you include too many unique items, the whole fireplace will look a bit cluttered and chaotic.  Let’s look at some mantel ideas that blend seamless with the other decor.

Tip: The mantel is a great place to add fall garlands, signs, mirrors, and photos.

Final Thoughts

The fireplace is the first part of my home I want to decorate when the weather gets cooler.  I choose my fall color scheme and then get creative.  I love to try and incorporate some things I already have around the home or outside such as autumn leaves or pinecones.  Buying a few new pieces to add to my decor collection is really fun as well.

Let me know in the comments some of your favorite decor tips and tricks!

All images are from Pinterest.

10 Fresh Ideas for Decorating with Twilight Taupe

So you’ve breathed new life into your tired old fireplace with the Brick-Anew Twilight Taupe Paint Kit and it looks AMAZING (if you do say so yourself!) Now what about the rest of your room? Could it use a little sprucing up as well?

BEFORE

Brick Anew Twilight Taupe Color Painted Fireplace Before

AFTER

Brick Anew Twilight Taupe Color Painted Fireplace After
If the answer is yes, you’re in luck! Our design team has put together 10 fresh new ideas to help you create a bright, modern space to coordinate beautifully with your new Twilight Taupe fireplace without breaking the bank:

 

1. Add a Colorful Rug

Anchor your space with a soft new rug. This beautiful Safavieh Antiquities Wool Oriental Rug has shades of tan, light blue and cream. Perfect for brightening your space and complimenting your fireplace.

2. Change Your Furniture

Has your sofa seen better days?  It just might be time to invest in a sleek new model.  Curl up in front of the fireplace on this modern cream-colored sofa from Stone & Beam.  Even though it looks expensive, this sofa is affordable for almost any budget.  The neutral background allows you to add pillows to match your rug or the season.  Super cozy and comfortable, it’s the perfect spot to unwind by the fireplace after a long day.

3. Purchase a Few Accent Pillows

Accent pillows add color to a neutral couch and compliment the shades in the rug.  Light blue, cream, and tan add a subtle and relaxing vibe. We love the textured look of these Burlap Linen Square Throw Pillows from Home Brilliant.

4. Add a Coffee or Accent Table

Now for a coffee table! This modern farmhouse coffee table from Liberty Furniture looks perfect with its storage drawers and wood top. It’s the perfect combination of warm wood paired with creamy white. Throw in one of their matching end tables to complete the look!

5. Update Your Entertainment Center

When you’re relaxing in your new room, you’ll need a place for the TV. This Signature Design TV stand by Ashley Bolanburg helps keep all unsightly equipment hidden from view.  The casual farmhouse look of this piece combines style and function, and blends in perfectly with the tan and cream tones of your Twilight Taupe fireplace. 

6. Display Some Artwork or a Mirror

After you remodel your fireplace, you might be tempted to put the same old accessories you had before.on the mantel.  But consider the impact of a single piece of artwork or a large mirror. We love the look of this Rustic Farmhouse Mirror from Barnyard Designs.

As they say, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and art is no exception.  Choose a painting that speaks to you and prop it in the center of your mantel. Try to find a painting that has colors that compliment your room.  The neutral background of the light colored brick provides the perfect backdrop for a splash of color.

Remember that oriental rug we mentioned? Here’s three examples of paintings that would compliment it well:

7. Dress Up Your Mantel

Once you’ve found that perfect centerpiece for your mantel, finish it off with some smaller decor that helps wrap it all together. These Rustic Candlesticks from Deco 79 and this Textured Modern Vase from Stone & Beam both make great additions to subtle tan tones of your Twilight Taupe brick.

8. Don’t Forget Lamps

This gorgeous Helene Country Cottage Table Lamp adds texture and interest while providing clean bright light. Perfect to lighten up any area, you might add a pair to a sofa table or on separate ends of the room on accent tables.  The textured tan shade adds the perfect farmhouse touch.

9. Add a Touch of Nature

Every room needs a touch of nature and this Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree from Nearly Nature does the trick! Perfect for any corner, this 4 feet tall tree adds interest and style. 

10. Get a Festive Bar Cart

A bar cart adds a festive atmosphere to your room and begs your guests to take a seat and stay a while. We love the clean simplistic design of this one from Nathan James.  Add your own spirits and glassware and Viola!  Instant party!
Hopefully, you’ve been inspired to take a look at your space after your fireplace remodel and see what else in the room might need a little update.  Even if your budget doesn’t allow everything to be done at once, even a few small changes can make a big impact.  Enjoy!

Fall Mantel Decorating Ideas You’ll Love

Fresh Country Cottage

Is everyone as ready for fall as I am?  I’m just waiting for the air to turn cooler and for the leaves to start changing colors.  I’ve been rummaging around in my attic, digging out my ceramic pumpkins and all the fall decor I bought last year.  Take a look at these fall mantels to get you in the mood to decorate your fireplace mantel for fall.

55+ Fabulous DIY Fall Mantel Decorating Ideas

Unique and Elegant Ideas for Fireplace Mantels

Yes, it is summer. Yes, summer just started. But right now is the perfect time to think about your current fireplace mantels, and how you can make beautiful, elegant choices for your decor so that when cooler temperatures return, you are ready to show off your fireplace, and make your home even more welcoming. (more…)