If your fireplace seems outdated or doesn’t match the look of your home, it may be easier than you might think to totally transform the way that your fireplace looks. If you could do with a bit of inspiration, simply continue reading to discover how you can give your old fireplace a brand new lease on life. As your fireplace should be one of the key focal points of your living and dining area and can add a lot of character and charm to your home.
Create a German smear fireplace:
If you love the look of the fireplaces that you’d find in cottages that are over 100 years old and which expose traditional red bricks while also being partially white and aged, it’s a great idea to learn how to german smear stone fireplaces. Creating a German smear fireplace may be a simpler process than you think. All you’ll need to do is to smear wet mortar over the bricks in your fireplace. Make sure to use a gloved hand or a trowel to complete this step. Although a wet sponge can work just as well. Once you’ve completed this step make sure that your mortar is spread evenly into the joints of your traditional stone fireplace.
Before you get started it’s also a good idea to wear old clothes that you don’t mind being ruined and to wear a protective mask so that chemical fumes don’t get into your lungs and respiratory system. As when it comes to home renovation projects, safety should always be your number 1 priority.
Build wood paneling around your existing fireplace:
If you’re not interested in creating a German smear inspired fireplace, you may want to opt for a sleeker look by building wood paneling around your fireplace, which you can paint a neutral hue. If in doubt it’s a lovely idea to paint the wood paneling around your fireplace a crisp, clean shade of white. You may even want to go over your white paint job with see-through gloss paint, to give your wood paneling a stylish glossy look. This is a particularly great idea if you don’t like the look of matte paint jobs.
Add a mantel to your fireplace:
If your fireplace doesn’t have a mantel, it’s well worth placing a mantel above your fireplace. As not only will you be able to hang your family’s Christmas stockings above your mantel during the holiday season but you’ll also be able to display decorative knick knacks above your fireplace. Examples of these may include a clock, candlestick holders, candles, travel souvenirs, art, and framed family photos. The options are endless.
So if you want to bring your fireplace into the current decade and for your fireplace to be one of the focal points in your home, feel free to take inspiration from the ideas that are listed above. As a fireplace should be the heart of your home and the area which your family and friends gather around in order to talk and socialize.
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