Design & Remodel
Surrounds, mantels, refacing, and making the fireplace the best thing in the room.
surround materials
- What are the best materials for a fireplace surround?
- Marble, granite, or quartz — which is best for a fireplace surround?
- Can you use quartz around a fireplace?
- Is soapstone a good material for a fireplace surround?
- What is a cast stone fireplace surround?
- Can I do a concrete fireplace surround?
- What's the difference between a fireplace surround and a mantel?
mantel design
- What kind of wood is best for a fireplace mantel?
- Can I use a reclaimed barn beam as a fireplace mantel?
- Do modern fireplaces need a mantel at all?
- How do I choose the right size and proportions for a mantel?
- Floating mantel shelf vs full surround with legs — which looks better?
- Can I stain or paint my existing mantel to update it?
- Can I put a wood mantel above a linear gas fireplace?
refacing
- How can I update my fireplace without completely replacing it?
- What is fireplace refacing and what does it involve?
- How much does it cost to reface a fireplace?
- Can you put stone veneer over a brick fireplace?
- Can you tile over a brick fireplace?
- What tile styles look best on a fireplace surround?
- Can you use large-format porcelain slabs on a fireplace wall?
- Can you put shiplap around a fireplace?
- Can you drywall over a brick fireplace?
- Is stacked stone still in style for fireplaces?
- Dry-stacked stone or mortared joints — which looks better on a fireplace?
- Should the fireplace stone go all the way to the ceiling?
- Can you reface a prefab builder-grade fireplace, or only masonry ones?
- How do I get rid of the metal louvers on my old builder-grade fireplace?
- Can you cover an old stone fireplace with a new material?
- What is the plaster fireplace trend (limewash plaster, Roman clay) and does it hold up?
- Can you use peel-and-stick tile on a fireplace?
- Can I use thin brick veneer to reface a fireplace?
- Can you tile over an existing tile fireplace surround?
painting brick
- Should I paint my brick fireplace?
- What kind of paint do you use on a brick fireplace?
- What is whitewashing a brick fireplace?
- What is a German schmear finish on a brick fireplace?
- Limewash vs whitewash vs paint — which is best for updating brick?
- Can you remove paint from a painted brick fireplace later?
- What colors are popular for painting fireplaces right now?
- Can you paint the inside of the firebox?
- Can you paint a stone fireplace?
- How do I update brass fireplace doors — paint them or replace them?
linear modern look
- What is a linear fireplace?
- Why are linear fireplaces so popular in new homes?
- How long should a linear fireplace be for my wall?
- How high off the floor should a linear fireplace be placed for the best look?
- Can a linear fireplace work in a traditional-style home?
- What is a clean-face or frameless fireplace?
- Can I replace my traditional fireplace with a modern linear one?
- What finishes can go right up to the edge of a modern gas fireplace?
media wall
- What is a media wall fireplace?
- How do I design a media wall with an electric fireplace?
- Should the TV go above the fireplace or beside it?
- How big should the TV be relative to the fireplace below it?
- Should I recess the TV into the wall above the fireplace?
- How do I hide the TV wires above a fireplace?
- What is a pull-down TV mantel mount?
- What type of fireplace works best in a media wall?
- Are wood slat accent walls a good look around a fireplace?
updating dated fireplace
- How do I make a 1970s floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace look modern?
- How do I update a dated 1980s brass-and-oak fireplace?
- How can I update my fireplace on a budget?
- Does remodeling a fireplace add value to my home?
- Should I keep or remove the raised hearth when remodeling my fireplace?
- Can I make my hearth flush with the floor?
- Can I replace just the doors or screen front to freshen up my fireplace?
- What can I do with a fireplace I never use?
- Can I change the shape of my fireplace opening, like making it arched?
- Can I make my fireplace opening bigger or smaller?
interior media options
- What are the interior media options for a gas fireplace?
- Gas logs or fire glass — which should I choose?
- What is fire glass?
- What colors does fire glass come in?
- Can I switch my gas fireplace from logs to glass media?
- Can you mix fire glass with logs or stones in the same fireplace?
- What are driftwood and birch log sets?
- What are the geometric shapes and fire balls you can put in a modern gas fireplace?
- What are river rock or stone media sets for gas fireplaces?
- How realistic do today's gas logs actually look?
- Do vented and ventless gas logs look different when burning?
- What interior panel options are there for gas fireplaces — black glass, brick, herringbone?
flame and lighting
see-through divider
- What is a see-through double-sided fireplace?
- Can a fireplace be used as a room divider?
- What is a three-sided (peninsula or bay) fireplace?
- What fuel types do see-through fireplaces come in?
- What are the downsides of a double-sided fireplace design?
- Are corner fireplaces still in style, and how do I modernize one?
room placement design
outdoor design
fire pit style
style matching
- What makes a fireplace look farmhouse style?
- What fireplace style suits a mountain cabin or rustic lodge?
- What fireplace works in a mid-century modern home?
- What does an industrial-style fireplace look like?
- What fireplace suits a coastal or cottage style home?
- How do I get a traditional classic fireplace look with an ornate mantel?
- What is a Scandinavian or minimalist fireplace look?
- What fireplace fits a craftsman-style home?
stove aesthetics
hearth design
proportion and layout
- How do I size a fireplace so it looks proportional to the room?
- Should the fireplace be the focal point of the living room?
- My fireplace is off-center on the wall — how do I make the room feel balanced?
- How do I design a two-story fireplace wall under a cathedral ceiling?
- What color should I paint the wall around my fireplace?
- Should the fireplace surround match my countertops or flooring?