How to Update an Old Fireplace

How to Update an Old Fireplace

A fireplace is an incredible feature that can make your home a warm, cosy and inviting space for the whole family to enjoy, particularly on these cold winter nights. If your current fireplace is a little dated or is showing signs of wear and tear, you might be thinking about sprucing it up somehow.

Fireplace Superstore is here to help you give your old fireplace a new lease of life with these creative makeover tips – keep reading for inspiration!

Give it a good scrub

You’d be surprised how much a good clean and polish can transform your fireplace. Brightening up those tarnished brass details and soot-covered surrounds with a quick scrub can make the world of difference.

There are a number of ways to clean your fireplace. You could use something as simple as hot, soapy water and a microfibre cloth, or you’ll be able to find a variety of suitable cleaning products in most supermarkets and DIY shops.

Replace your fireplace surround

One of the easiest ways to give your fireplace a makeover is to replace your fire surround. This can completely transform the look of your fireplace and your room design as a whole, whether you’re modernising an old model or transforming from a plain style to a magnificent one.

If you want a white fireplace that blends in perfectly with your sleek, contemporary home design, a limestone surround will be able to make your vision come to life. On the other hand, if you want your fireplace to be striking and bold – the centrepiece of the room – you could choose a black granite surround that beautifully contrasts those minimalist white walls.

Wood surrounds are always a firm favourite, as they are so versatile. From chunky oak to rustic floating beams or sleek pine, there are so many different ways to update your fireplace with a wood fire surround.

Give it a lick of paint

If you love your current fireplace and its many features, you may be reluctant to change it for a new one – regardless of how shabby it looks. Luckily, a bit of paint, whitewashing or re-tiling can make your beloved old fireplace look as good as new again! This is an easy way of transforming your fireplace and gives you complete creative control over what you want to do with it.

Wooden surrounds will need to be stripped, sanded, cleaned, and primed before painting. Once you’ve done those crucial steps, apply two or three coats of your chosen wood pain or gloss acrylic paint – you’ll need to let each coat dry fully before applying the next.

The insert of your fireplace can also be painted, although we recommend doing a patch test first to ensure the surface takes well to the paint. For best results, you’ll need an enamel paint that can withstand high temperatures and a foam brush.

It’s also possible to paint tiles and doing so can make a huge difference. For a short-term solution, you could get some peel and stick tiles. These are an easy way to replace worn or downright unattractive tiling.

Fireplace Superstore can help you update your fireplace and bring your vision to life, no matter how big or small the project. From fireplaces and surrounds to fires and fireplace accessories, we have everything you need for your fireplace makeover. To find out more, contact us today.