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A fireplace makeover can help a living room feel more cohesive, even when the fireplace is rarely used. In Emma and Trey’s home, the fireplace changed along with the rest of the room—from a dated feature surrounded by dark tile to a bold black-and-white detail that suits the updated space.
The fireplace was one of the more challenging areas to style. The couple usually enjoyed fires at a backyard firepit instead, but the indoor fireplace remained an important part of the living room’s appearance.
Starting with a dated fireplace
When Emma moved into the house, built in 1985, many of its walls were a yellowish tan. The living room stayed that color for nearly a year while she considered what to do. The fireplace’s dark, speckled tile felt out of step with her taste, but replacing it or painting it were both possibilities she had to weigh.
If you’re updating an older fireplace, first consider how often it will be used and what materials need attention. Check the fireplace and surrounding surfaces before choosing a finish. Any product used near a working fireplace should be specifically suitable for that surface and follow its manufacturer’s instructions.
A first fireplace makeover with white paint
Emma’s first update began with white walls. She kept the room’s wood trim, including the trim around the fireplace, and painted the tile to match the walls. A large blueprint-style photo of Emma and Trey went above the mantel, creating a balanced focal point while the room had little furniture and no television.
This lighter treatment made the fireplace feel more connected to the room. For a similar refresh, test paint colors and finishes in the space before committing; natural and artificial light can affect how they look. Also decide whether existing trim should remain as a contrasting feature or be painted to blend in.
Black walls and a striped fireplace surround
Later, Emma chose black for the living-room walls and added a large bookshelf that also holds the television. The room’s new focal point changed, and the white fireplace no longer felt like the right fit. She painted the fireplace and room trim black, then added stripes above the mantel to break up the dark area and give the fireplace more definition.
The striped detail also creates a simple backdrop for seasonal decorating. Small pumpkins lined the mantel for Halloween, while a white garland and stockings were planned for the holidays. When adding decorations, keep the mantel’s scale and the fireplace’s safety requirements in mind, especially if the fireplace is in use.
What this fireplace makeover shows
This fireplace makeover developed in stages as the living room’s needs and style changed. The white version suited a lighter room, while the later black finish and stripes worked with the darker walls and larger television area. The project shows how paint and a considered focal-point treatment can change the feel of a room without requiring every design decision to happen at once.
Photos by Janae Hardy and Emma Chapman
