Quick Tips for a Fireplace Facelift

You don’t need to completely re-build your fireplace to make it more of a focal point in your home. Here are some things you can do to turn your tired, boring brick fireplace into an integral part of your living room or family room.

Get Inspired

First, think about what else you have or want in that room. What you do to the fireplace should work everything else in the room.. Check out some examples of what you can do on a budget. HouseLogic.com has some great examples to look at before you start on your project. 

Brighten Things Up with Paint

Not comfortable breaking out the sledgehammer to demolish your existing fireplace? Consider upgrading it with a coat of paint. Lowe’s provides some step-by-step instructions for how to do that here. It just takes a paint roller, sponge and the paint of your choosing!

Install a Stone Surround

This Old House has a great video that shows how to install a stone veneer surround to your fireplace. First, purchase your lightweight stone veneer. Cover your fireplace and surround with builder’s felt to create a moisture barrier. Nail metal lath over the felt. Cover the wall with veneer mortar. After 20 minutes, comb the mortar and let it dry overnight. Install the stones working from the outside in, then from the top down, spraying water on the back of the stones before applying mortar and installing. Grout the joints, and then let them sit before getting cozy in front of your new upgraded fireplace!

Tip: Use WD-40_® Multi-Use Product to protect against rust & corrosion on metal screens & tools for your fireplace.