A fireplace makeover is one of the fastest ways to change how a room looks and feels. That dark brick box from the 1980s or the builder-grade surround that never quite fit your style can become the best feature in the house. Sometimes it takes a new surround. Sometimes it takes a new fire.
Our design team and factory-trained technicians handle fireplace transformations every week. Here are the eight makeover paths we recommend most, from simple refreshes to full upgrades, plus how to pick the right one for your home.
Start With Two Questions
Before choosing finishes, answer these:
- Do you like how your fireplace works? If it heats well and lights reliably, focus on the look. If it’s drafty, unused, or unreliable, the fire itself may need an upgrade.
- How do you want to use it? Occasional ambiance, nightly warmth, or a true zone heater for the room? Your answer shapes everything else.
Fireplace Makeover Options at a Glance
|
Makeover Path |
What Changes |
Best For |
|
New stone surround |
The face around the firebox |
Dated brick or tile |
|
New mantel |
The shelf and frame |
Adding warmth or a focal point |
|
Gas insert |
The fire itself, inside an existing fireplace |
Drafty or unused wood fireplaces |
|
Full fireplace replacement |
The entire unit |
Old gas fireplaces that underperform |
|
New log set or media |
The look inside the firebox |
Gas fireplaces that function well but look tired |
|
Electric insert |
The fire, with no venting needed |
Shallow or unusable fireplaces |
|
Floor-to-ceiling feature wall |
The whole wall |
Great rooms and modern redesigns |
|
Hearth update |
The base |
Adding seating or a cleaner line |
1. Swap the Surround for Natural Stone
A new surround changes a fireplace more than any other single upgrade. Natural stone slabs like Bianco White Marble, Absolute Black Granite, or Driftwood Marble instantly modernize a dated face. Stacked stone brings rustic texture, while large honed slabs feel clean and contemporary.
Ourstone fireplace surround guide compares every stone we offer. TheNatural Stone Institute also has helpful guidance on keeping stone looking new for years.
2. Add or Replace the Mantel
A mantel frames the fire and gives the wall a place for décor, art, or seasonal touches. Options range from rustic wood beams like the Ozark and Fillmore to our Modern Concrete Non-Combustible Mantel for a contemporary look.
See our guides tofireplace surrounds and mantels andpairing a gas fireplace with a mantel.
3. Convert a Wood Fireplace With a Gas Insert
If your wood-burning fireplace sits unused because of the mess, the drafts, or the hassle, a gas insert is the makeover that changes how you live with it. The insert slides into the existing opening and turns it into a sealed, efficient heat source you control with a remote.
TheU.S. Department of Energy notes that a well-fitted fireplace insert can function nearly as efficiently as a stove. Ourgas inserts collection includes the Heat & Glo Escape, Cosmo, Supreme, and Provident. Learn more aboutgas fireplace conversion.
4. Replace an Old Gas Fireplace
Older gas fireplaces often have standing pilots, small viewing areas, and dated trim. A new unit can bring a larger flame, electronic ignition, remote and app control, and modern media. Many homeowners pair a replacement with a new surround for a complete transformation.
Our guide toreplacing an old gas fireplace explains the signs it’s time, and ourreplace a fireplace collection shows popular options.
5. Refresh the Logs or Media
If your gas fireplace works well but the logs look tired, new media can make it feel brand new. Many manufacturers offer alternate log styles or contemporary media like glass or stones for specific models. Our guide toreplacement logs for gas fireplace models explains why matching your model matters.
6. Go Electric for a Simple Upgrade
For shallow fireplaces or openings with unusable venting, an electric insert brings a glowing flame and supplemental heat with simple installation. The SimpliFire Electric Insert plugs into a standard outlet. See ourelectric fireplace insert guide.
7. Build a Floor-to-Ceiling Feature Wall
For the biggest impact, extend the surround all the way to the ceiling. A full wall of stone, tile, or paneling turns the fireplace into architecture. It’s a favorite in great rooms and pairs naturally with a linear fireplace. Browsemodern gas fireplace inserts for contemporary flame options.
Planning a TV on the same wall? Read our guide toTV placement above a gas fireplace before you finalize the design.
8. Update the Hearth
A raised hearth adds seating and visual weight. A flush hearth creates a cleaner, more modern line. Matching the hearth to your new surround ties the whole makeover together.
Fireplace Makeover Tips From Our Design Team
- Bring samples home. Stone and tile look different in your light, day and night.
- Match the fire to the style. A linear flame suits a modern surround. A traditional log set suits a classic mantel.
- Think about heat. If you’ll use the fireplace often, choose a direct-vent gas unit with a blower option. See whether agas fireplace insert with blower is worth it.
- Plan the whole wall. Lighting, shelving, and TV placement all affect the final look.
- Keep safety in mind. Add safety screens in homes with young children or pets. Ourfireplace safety guide has more tips.
TheNational Association of REALTORS® Remodeling Impact Report tracks the joy and satisfaction homeowners feel after remodeling projects, and a fireplace you love using every evening is a big part of how a room feels.
Common Makeover Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve seen a lot of fireplace transformations, and a few missteps come up again and again.
Updating the look but not the fire. A gorgeous new surround around a drafty wood fireplace or an unreliable old gas unit still leaves you with a fireplace you don’t use. If the fire itself is the problem, address it in the same project.
Choosing finishes in isolation. Stone, mantel, hearth, and the media inside the firebox all need to work together. Pick them as a set, not one at a time.
Ignoring scale. A massive mantel on a small fireplace, or a tiny surround on a tall wall, throws off the proportions of the whole room.
Forgetting the TV until the end. If a TV is going on the same wall, plan heat management and wiring before the surround goes up.
Skipping the hearth. A new surround next to a worn or mismatched hearth looks unfinished. Plan both together.
Going too trendy. Bold finishes can be beautiful, but a fireplace is a long-term feature. Many homeowners find a timeless base with personality in the décor ages best.
What to Expect During a Makeover With Fireside
- Design consultation. We look at your fireplace, talk through goals, and show you options.
- Selection. You choose the fireplace or insert, surround, mantel, and media.
- Installation. Our factory-trained technicians handle the fireplace work and finishing.
- Walkthrough. We show you how to run and care for your new fireplace.
Need ideas first? Ourtraditional vs. contemporary fireplaces guide helps you settle on a style.
Ready to start your fireplace makeover?Schedule a consultation with Fireside and our design team will help you plan a transformation you’ll love.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest fireplace makeover?
Updating the logs or media, adding a new mantel, or replacing the surround are the simplest ways to refresh a fireplace without changing how it works.
Can I make over a wood-burning fireplace?
Yes. Many homeowners add a gas insert to turn a drafty wood fireplace into an efficient heat source, then finish it with a new surround.
Should I replace my old gas fireplace or just update the surround?
If your fireplace lights reliably and heats well, updating the surround may be enough. If it has a standing pilot, a small flame, or frequent repairs, replacing the unit gives you a bigger upgrade.
How do I modernize a brick fireplace?
Cover the brick with large-format stone or tile, add a contemporary insert with linear flames or glass media, and choose a simple mantel or none at all.
Can I add a TV during a fireplace makeover?
Yes, but plan heat management with the fireplace. Some fireplaces include systems that allow a TV close above the unit.