As a homeowner, you are probably accustomed to updates and renovation projects. If you have a fireplace in your home, it’s likely you enjoy spending time with your family by a cozy fire. The hearth is often overlooked when planning home improvement projects. However, you can change the mood of a room with these ideas to remodel your fireplace.
Install Glass Doors to Remodel Your Fireplace
Many new fireplaces come with doors installed. This is a helpful safety feature that will keep sparks and embers from popping out of the fireplace and onto the rug or furniture nearby. If your fireplace wasn’t fitted with doors, it’s easy to add them later. Fireplace doors come in standard sizes to fit almost any firebox. Because the fireplace is often the focal point of the room, choose doors that are attractive and that complement the room’s décor.
Refinish the Brick
If your hearth is brick, there are many different options for fireplaces. A limewash will finish the brick with a pale, chalky look. You can create an antiqued finish by painting over the brick with gray paint, followed by a stain. Another technique for refinishing brick is called the German smear. It requires applying a mortar and then removing some of the product before it dries. There are instructions for different types of brick finishes online.
Remodel Your Fireplace by Updating the Mantle
The mantle is the most eye-catching part of the fireplace. It might be a large, bold wooden piece or a smaller ledge built from crown molding. The mantle is usually easy to replace, or you might simply add elements around the piece to customize your fireplace. Replacing the mantle usually takes less than a day and many homeowners can tackle the project on their own.
Creative Firewood Storage
On a chilly evening, you don’t look forward to going outside for the firewood. Design a way to store firewood near the fireplace so it’s easy to access when the temperatures drop. If you have bookshelves or cabinets near the fireplace, use the bottom shelves to store wood. Remove a door from the cabinet and stack the wood on the shelves inside.
A large metal tub is another great way to store firewood indoors. Purchase one at a local hardware store that will fit on or near your hearth. You may be able to find a vintage bucket or metal basket at an antique store that will suit your needs. Alternatively, you can purchase an indoor firewood rack. Some are built like narrow metal shelves; others are semicircular in shape, but both will keep the firewood within reach.
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