Fireplaces are one of the home features people really covet, so much so that buyers will pay up to $1,400 more for one, according to the “2013 Home Features Survey” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
But appearance matters. In another survey from the National Association of Home Builders, more buyers cited looks (46%) than quality (31%) as an important fireplace trait. It’s the focal point of a room, if not the home, after all. Don’t you want to gaze on it lovingly?
These four bloggers show how creative re-facing can turn a ho-hum or outdated fireplace into a room’s crowning jewel, and something you’ll love for years.
1. Scrap-Happy Fireplace
Blogger Shannon of Shannon Berrey Design added rustic charm to a faux stone fireplace by re-facing the façade with salvaged wood. The material was sourced from a local company that sells vintage board and beams, and it didn’t cost her a nickel.
Before she started, she had to dry out and prep the wood. You can get the play by play on her site.
Afterward, Shannon added a new, level mantel and a built-in TV wall that concealed all the TV cords.
Approximate project costs:
- Reclaimed wood for façade: $0
- Materials for built in TV wall and mantel: $100
Blogger tip: Shannon used a level after she attached each row of reclaimed wood, so she wouldn’t end up with a crooked façade. To keep things straight, she added shims when needed.
2. Contemporary Gone Rustic
We could have lived happily ever after with Emily’s fireplace before she made it over. But that just proves we’re not half as creative as the blogger behind Jones Design Company.
She and the hubby brainstormed for months about how they could make their fireplace stand out — or blend in. We’re glad they didn’t have an idea for the latter.
After installing a chunky mantel without fussy architectural detailing, they used cultured stone to reface the front of the fireplace. But the piece de resistance is the wall of cedar shingles above the mantel.
To see how they did it, check out the tutorial on Emily’s site.
Approximate project costs:
- Materials for mantel: $80
- Shingles and wood shims for the wall feature: $250
- Stone, wire mesh, and mortar for the re-faced fireplace: $550
Blogger tip: Before beginning the project, Emily took a picture of her fireplace and then used an image-editing program to explore different resurfacing options.
3. Rustic Gone Contemporary
We’re suckers for good fakes like synthetic slate roofing, but Ashley, the blogger behind Make It & Love it, had a faux stone fireplace that felt dark, dank, and dated.
To give it lasting appeal, she dispatched the stone in favor of a classic, universally-appealing white color scheme and Craftsman mantel.
You can see how her brother and husband put the mantel and hearth together.
Approximate project costs:
- $500-$600 (compared with thousands for a pro woodworker)
Blogger tip: Lay down cement board to provide an even, stable surface to tile on.
4. A Dated Fireplace Goes Modern
It took Shannon of the blog Fox Hollow Cottage years to transform her fireplace.
When she moved into her current home, she painted the mantel white and the area above it beige. Later, she painted the brick white. Eventually she retiled the hearth, created a wider mantel, and gave the wall a bold burst of color.
Check out how her fireplace progressed over the years.
Approximate project costs:
- Paint, wood, and tile: $150
Blogger tip: It’s OK to let the DIY process slowly unfold. If you’re not sure about your project’s next steps, follow Shannon’s lead and take time to explore your options.
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