(Newswire.net — January 29, 2021) — About a hundred years ago, fireplaces in the home were actually used to keep the house warm during the cold months. While some people do still use it for this purpose during the holidays, most of us don’t even consider lighting a fire.
So, what do you do with this red-bricked structure along the wall of your living room? It’s a beautiful sight and adds character to the house, but there’s just something missing.
By the end of this article, you will have some ideas and inspiration for how to modernize your fireplace and make it even more useful.
Before you do this though, you’ll want to make sure your chimney is clean and in good shape. You may find that you have to get a chimney crown repair done before you can start decorating and modernizing.
Go White or Black
Red brick doesn’t go with everything, especially if you’re looking for a more modern aesthetic in your home. While it’s the more traditional route to take when adding a fireplace, it doesn’t have to be anymore!
Consider painting over the brick with a white or black color. This will definitely add some more modern and chic design to your living room. It can even be a fun weekend project.
Spice Up the Mantle
You don’t have to be stuck with the mantle that came with the house. You can add your touch to the current one or replace it entirely with a new material. There are a couple of options for you to renovate the mantle yourself. You can distress it, paint it, or add some etchings and designs to it.
Now that we’ve covered the actual mantle itself, let’s talk about what to put on it. The options are literally endless here!
You can start by adding some books with covers that match your aesthetic, flowers or plants in cute vases, little trinkets or sculptures you find at the store, or photos of your friends and family.
Use the Chimney
You know that long strip of brick or stone going up to the ceiling from the fireplace? Don’t let it go to waste!
Use this space by leaning a mirror and a portrait on it above the mantle. You can also hang a wreath with invisible wire or string during the holidays if you’re feeling festive. Or leave it up all year long, it’s up to you!
Repurpose the Fireplace
Maybe you don’t want to deal with making a fire or simply want to use the fireplace for something else. Then you repurpose it into anything you’d like!
If you’re someone with an expansive library and don’t have enough space for your books, stack them in the fireplace or add shelves in there. You can add potted plants in the fireplace too or collector’s items like souvenirs from past trips.
Whatever you choose to do with your fireplace, remember to let your creativity flow! This is your home, make of it what you want.