Fireplace Makeover

Do you find yourself wanting to cozy up next to your fireplace, but constantly feel as though it needs a bit of a makeover? If you answered YES, then you’re in luck! Today I’ll be exploring DIY fireplace update ideas that you can achieve with a very quick turnaround time. Keep reading!


Image courtesy of House of Turquoise

This Summer, I spent months renovating my home and one of the major things I wanted to change was my fireplace. There’s something so special about cold days and cozy fireplace hang outs that really appeal to me, and I wanted a fireplace that would exude that. Although I thought DIY renovating my fireplace would be a very long and drawn out process, I was surprised to learn the complete flip would only take three days!

First things first, I would highly suggest heading to Pinterest or exploring any online options to find your ideal fireplace look. Having a clear vision and plan from the beginning will only make your life easier when it comes to sourcing the materials and understanding what your expenses will be.


Image courtesy of Ann Chessins Designs

If you are wanting to update your existing fireplace, first you should be heading online or to any home design or improvement magazines to get a clear idea of the update you want to achieve. To give you some inspiration, some simple updates could be:

  • Changing your mantel (Rona & Home Depot have a great selection)
  • Adding a chic screen (this is best for gas or wood burning fireplaces)
  • Removing the screen and repainting the inside of your fireplace
  • Adding statement tiling or shiplap to freshen the look

If you are ready to start from scratch, your first step will be to redesign the entire look of your fireplace – as I mentioned previously, Pinterest is a great place for inspiration. I designed my fireplace fully from Pinterest, everything from the fireplace length and height, materials, and mantel.

Your next step will be to order the pieces you need. Depending on the type of fireplace you have, you will need to place your order for your new fireplace first as this can sometimes take the most amount of time. I purchased an electric fireplace – the Amanatii BI-50-XTRASLIM, and to my surprise it came within 3 business days. The fireplace I chose is 50″ wide and 4″ deep, which was perfect for the design I was planning as I wanted to create a floor to ceiling Shiplap fireplace that was as slim as possible in order to keep my living room space open. When planning your design, a huge factor will be ordering a fireplace that fits correctly with the space you have – you want the fireplace to enhance the room, not take away from it.

Next, you’ll need to purchase the materials you’ll be needing to actually build out your fireplace. In the Summer there was a large shortage on Shiplap so I had to place my order a few weeks ahead of installation, but depending on the materials you’re wanting to use, lumber availability should be a little better now than it was a few months ago. Regardless, I would urge you to source the materials ahead of time!

Now that you have your design, fireplace, and other materials ready to go, it’s time to frame out where exactly you’re wanting your fireplace to go. Make sure you are certain on the height, width, and depth of the fireplace. Draw out your plan like the sample below to visualize the project.


Illustration by Michaela Diane Designs

Personally, I chose to go with a floor to ceiling look as I thought it would show the space as larger since my living room ceilings are 9 feet tall – and I have to admit I really do think this worked! Next, you’ll need to tackle installation. If you’re wanting to do your installation DIY –  I would urge you to head to YouTube and do your research on how exactly you’ll be needing to secure your fireplace, what type of zoning or specs are required, and so on. I have an electric fireplace therefore installation was a lot easier as the fireplace simply plugs into the wall and the circuit it is using is far away enough from my kitchen that it wouldn’t cause any electrical issues. If you are uncertain about where your fireplace needs to go, choose the safe route and call in a professional to assess your space and ensure what you’re doing is up to code and safe. Once those details are handled, it’s time to start building! Here’s an informative breakdown on how this DIY process will look in terms of framing your wall, securing the fireplace, and building out a mantel.

Should you be thinking of exploring the Shiplap floor to ceiling look, click here to find Micheala Diane’s breakdown including a material list!


Illustration by Michaela Diane Designs

Another great resource for inspiration – whether you are wanting to do simple updates or fully redesign your fireplace – is Designer Trapped’s article! Click here to give it a read and to flip through the images.

If you will indeed be updating your fireplace in the coming months, I’d love to know the design you have in mind. Drop a comment below!