DIY Living Room Fireplace & Mantel Ideas

Are you interested in changing up your fireplace or mantel? We will get you started here with all the hacks you'll need to know. Be inspired by new projects, join the discussion board, and ask a question. You can even check out a slideshow on fireplaces and mantels. Go on in and check it out!

Faux Marble Fireplace

A Hot New Look for Your Room

Position is paramount: Position your fireplace according to the size of your wall. For small walls, center it. For larger walls, an off-center approach looks modern.
Mantels can meld multiple materials: Spice up your fireplace with a multi-material mantel. Combine old bricks, rustic woods, and stone for a unique look.
Make a mantel from faux wood: Glue crown molding to faux wood and fill the gaps with Styrofoam before varnishing to create an authentic-looking mantel.
Remove the mantel for a sleek look: You don’t always need a mantel. Remove your old mantel for a modern, minimalist look. Make the fire flush with your walls for a sleek finish.
Don’t sacrifice style for safety: Never place flammable objects too close to your fireplace. Take note of the structure of your room and position the fireplace accordingly.

Living Room Ideas

Top Projects for Living Room Fireplaces & Mantels

Visit our top DIY fireplace and mantel projects and revamp your living room.

Faux Marble Fireplace

Old tiles? Ugly tiles? Just want a new look? Covering your existing fireplace tiles with contact paper is both transformative and inexpensive. It's a great option for if you're renting- or just don't have a big budget! This entire project only cost me $21 and completely elevated the space. *please note. This is a non-working fireplace. If you have a working fireplace, I strongly suggest further research. *these are ceramic tiles. Not bricks. Contact paper will not adhere to bricks

Hattie

Fireplace Makeover

Brick fireplace makeover with stained wood.

Frank

How I Turned a Fire Extinguisher Into a Decorative Fireplace

For years I sit in the old fire extinguisher fire workshop and shout that I will do something with it. And I finally responded to his request and decided to do something beautiful and original with him. Anyone who knows me and watches my videos knows that I love girls stuff with recycled raw materials, I almost never buy in the raw material store, everything I find under my sender in the workshop.So now it's the turn of the fire extinguisher. I decided to build a decorative item with it that would add a warm atmosphere to almost any home or room it would find. I turned the fire extinguisher to a fireplace, but not with real fire, the ones with a special lamp that simulates a flame perfectly. Watch the video and tell me what you think!

DIYfixman

Whitewashing a Dark Fireplace

We moved into our house a little over a year ago and we've been making updates ever since. When we got to the living room, we knew we wanted to paint the walls and somehow update and brighten the dark fireplace. We loved the big stone look, but it was too dark for us. We didn't want to paint it a solid color, so we decided to whitewash it.

Emily / Relentless Furniture

Faux Fieldstone

I wanted to add some more character to our living room, so I decided to add a little something special above the fireplace.I created lifelike field stone for over my fireplace made from Styrofoam, spackling and paint. I was able to give depth to the stone by layering some of the stones with 2 layers of Styrofoam. All were painted individually and sealed for a washable surface. Hope you enjoy this mini upgrade!

Cindy

How I Added a DIY Fireplace to My Home

We love our home but like most buyers, we desired the beauty and benefits of a fireplace that this house did not have. In 2019 I decided to build a faux mantle so that I had somewhere to hang stockings during the holidays. It was adorable but 2 years later I was ready for the real deal so I set out to upgrade to something more permanent. As much as I love DIY I think a chimney was a bit outside my skillset so I decided on a DIY electric fireplace.Electric fireplace inserts are a great option to add a fireplace to any home. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prices, making it an achievable solution for the average homeowner and DIYer. All you have to do is build a surround! Keep reading to see how I added a DIY fireplace to my home and scroll down for more photos!

Kelsey | A Dabbled Dwelling

Upcycled Old Dresser Mirror to Faux Mantle

There is just something so cozy about a fireplace, especially during the cold winter months. Of course, the real thing is always the most comfy; but sometimes that just isn't feasible.I decided, why not create the next best thing....a faux mantle! This project was so easy, and didn't require much work!

Georgia N @myvintage_obsession

Shiplap Fireplace

My husband and I recently fixed up a house. We wanted to added something fun to the living room to make it more attractive. So, we decided to shiplap the fireplace and add a wood mantel. I am so glad we did it. I think it helped resell the house, that’s what we got the most compliments on after we finished everything. The shiplap was from Lowe’s and the wood mantel was from amazon. I picked an unfinished mantel so I could choose the stain in person. I began by staining the bottom of the mantel just in case I wasn't crazy about the stain I chose. Thankfully, the first stain I used I loved and it was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something a tad darker than the wood floor, but not too dark. We also had to paint the gold on the fireplace, which we choose to do black. It made it look a lot more sleek and clean. We painted the shiplap and the trim all the same color. Then I bought this magnolia wreath at Hobby Lobby and these black lanterns at Wal-Mart. This was a fun project, and I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Steffi Wood

How to Apply German Schmear to Give Your Brick Fireplace a New Look

Create a classy fireplace look with this aged brick-and-mortar effect!

Hometalk Skills

How To Make A Faux Fireplace On The Cheap

We're stationed in Germany and we wanted to install a fireplace but the cost of installation was upwards of 10,000 euros. So we built out own. We used the example from blogger Lauren of Bless'er House as a visual guide but since we didn't have the mantel and surround we needed to draw our own plans. We are pretty happy with how it turned out and the cost was about $300.

Bloom Simply

Faux Marble Fireplace

Hattie

Fireplace Makeover

Brick fireplace makeover with stained wood.

Frank

How I Turned a Fire Extinguisher Into a Decorative Fireplace

DIYfixman

Whitewashing a Dark Fireplace

Emily / Relentless Furniture

Faux Fieldstone

Cindy

How I Added a DIY Fireplace to My Home

Kelsey | A Dabbled Dwelling

Upcycled Old Dresser Mirror to Faux Mantle

Georgia N @myvintage_obsession

Shiplap Fireplace

Steffi Wood

How to Apply German Schmear to Give Your Brick Fireplace a New Look

Create a classy fireplace look with this aged brick-and-mortar effect!

Hometalk Skills

How To Make A Faux Fireplace On The Cheap

Bloom Simply

Get ready to be inspired by our DIY fireplace and mantel project slideshows.

Living Room Fireplace & Mantel Videos

Here you'll find video tutorials on DIY fireplaces and mantels. Check them out.

Everything You Need To Know About Stenciling A Fireplace

Cutting Edge Stencils tile stencils are taking over the DIY home improvement movement! You can use tile stencils on almost any surface. We have seen stunning DIY makeovers with tile stencils on floors, walls, furniture, and you guessed it, fireplaces! Tile Stencils are an amazing decorating tool because you don’t have to be an expert to use it! If you’re a beginner stenciler that’s looking to makeover your fireplace on a budget, have no fear! By the end of this blog, you’ll know how to stencil your fireplace like a Pro!

Cutting Edge Stencils

Updated Fireplace

A friend of mine was redecorating her house and the fireplace really needed to be updated.

Alicia W

German Schmear Fireplace Makeover

Have a dark fireplace that needs a fresh new look? We caught an episode of Fixer Upper a few weeks ago where they did a gorgeous German mortar schmear on all of the old outdated brick in the house. Since we saw that, I haven't been able to get this trend out of my mind!Are you in love, too? Here's how to get a Chip and Joanna-approved makeover in no time! Check out the video if you'd like to follow along with us!

Abbie M

Painted Brick Fireplace-Farmhouse Inspiration

For over 20 years I've dreamed of living in an old farmhouse, and I'm not going to sit here and complain about not being able to live that dream just yet, because I'm Beyond Blessed. I enjoy the challenge of giving a plain house character. So this 1974 ranch has had many looks, and a few have been since I've lived here :)

Shabby Paints

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Living Room Fireplace & Mantel Projects

Here are the best fireplaces and mantel projects on Hometalk. Learn something new!

Adding Built Ins Around Our Fireplace

We redid our existing fireplace with new tile and floating mantle, then installed built ins around our fireplace to add functional storage and display space to our living room. We saved around $5,000 by doing this ourselves. Amazing!! FInd out how much we spent instead on the blog post: adding built ins around our fireplace.

Molly - My Sweet Lilac

DIY Shiplap Fireplace

Add some character and charm to your living space with a shiplap fireplace! I share some step by step instructions on how we added shiplap boards from our local home improvement store to totally transform our entire living space.

Michele | Sweet Threads Design Co.

DIY Brick Fireplace Refacing

I just finished completing the refacing of our old brick fireplace. I took this Dated and boring floor to ceiling fireplace and transformed it into a bold statement piece with drywall, custom woodwork, tile surround, a dramatic wrap around mantel and crown molding! Can you tell I'm excited!

$My{DIY}Habits_Katie$ My{DIY}Habits_Katie

DIY Fireplace Mantel: Creating Usable Corner Space

Our master bedroom has always been a bit of a challenge to decorate. It’s a 20′ x 20′ square space with two windows on one side of the room. After our not-so-square furniture was placed in the room, we had some fairly awkward corners to deal with. There is one corner in particular that I considered dead space; one where none of our existing furniture would fit — so we installed a DIY corner fireplace mantel.

Jeanette @SnazzyLittleThings.com

Popular Living Room Fireplace & Mantel Discussions

Browse the DIY fireplaces and mantels discussion board and give us your two cents.

Can I shiplap over brick?

/> Mary parker

I have a full brick fireplace and want to shiplap over the top half as it has a cut out. We are going to whitewash tomorrow and add a mantel. Is that possible? Any advice? I hate the cutout and want to even it out. Attached is a pic.

View discussion

How to remove 3 brick shelves above the fireplace

/> Evan

I have a fireplace with 3 shelves that stick out. We plan on mounting our tv above the gas fireplace, but in order to do this we need to remove the 3 built in brick shelves. I don't really want to pay a ton to get these removed, so I am wondering if I can maybe knock them out or cut them flush with the other bricks? Any responses will help. Thank you

How to remove 3 brick shelves above the fireplace

View discussion

How do I remove the mantle of a fireplace?

/> Cindy Rubin

Does anyone know how to paint a brick fireplace? I'm thinking of maybe going with a flat paint or a whitewash to make the room brighter and more modern. But.... how do I get this very very heavy mantle off? I cannot find one nail, screw or bracket that holds it it place, It hangs there like magic!! Once I get it off (hopefully intact, I will decide if I want to keep it; it is not perfectly flat on top. It has a sort of roll or slight hump... you know - just enough to make it difficult to have thinks stand on it!Any suggestions would be great! TIA

How do I remove the mantle of a fireplace?

View discussion

How can I update the fireplace without ripping out the existing marble

/> Nancy Nadin

We are ordering new carpeting in a soft green which looks awful with this outdated marble fireplace surround. The fireplace is a gas insert, and we have an inside fan which keeps the surround fairly cool. Someone told me we could perhaps use "Smart Tiles" and stick them to the marble. Do you have any suggestions whether this might work? I have investigated chalk paint, as well. We will definitely spray paint the brass on the permanent fire screen with a high heat paint! Thank you.

How can I update the fireplace without ripping out the existing marble

View discussion

New Living Room Fireplace & Mantel Projects

Looking for new ideas for your fireplace or mantel? Peruse our collection here.

How to Make an Easy DIY Foam Fireplace Without Using Power Tools

I’m feeling cozy and lazy, which means it’s time for me to make a DIY foam fireplace. Watch me turn a funky space in my living room into a DIY fireplace with a few pieces of foam, hot glue, peel-and-stick brick, a vision, and all for under $100.This is shockingly easy, so if you’re looking for a way to cozy up your home, this might be your next project.

Katy | LaughCryDIY

How to Paint a Brick Fireplace and Never Look Back

By Judy Schumer A fireplace often serves as the centerpiece of the home: It’s what families gather around during holidays, and where memorable photos sit above on the mantle. But sometimes, it may be more of an eyesore than anything else. Let’s say it’s outdated, or the color of the brick has faded or doesn’t match the rest of your decor. Luckily, it’s easy to transform a brick fireplace by painting it.Compared to removing or refacing the fireplace, painting is a minimal-mess project that’ll only take a few hours. You’ll avoid toxic brick dust and chunks of mortar everywhere, all while beautifying your space. Painting your fireplace is also much less expensive than calling a professional to tear out your fireplace. For the cost of a few tools and paint, along with a bit of DIY know-how, you can have a completely revived focal point in your room. And if you aren’t fully committed to a complete painting, consider whitewashing your fireplace for a farmhouse look that allows the natural brick to peek through.Use our guide to find out how to prep the brick for painting, what paint you should use, and how to paint or whitewash your fireplace for a stunning update to your home.

How-To Guides

DIY Fireplace Makeover: How To Add Brick To a Fireplace

DIY Fireplace Makeover: How To Add Brick To a FireplaceEasily elevate your boring fireplace with this simple brick makeoverThis project is sponsored by Glen-GeryY’all we are just a stones throw away (sorry I couldn’t help myself) from having this living room renovation completed!

Lia with Southern Yankee DIY

DIY Faux Cast Stone Fireplace

I love the look of modern cast stone fireplaces (think Shea McGee's living room) but I'm not in love with the price tag. These babies will run you upwards of $3k.Here's how I recreated the look of a cast stone fireplace on a budget.This part entailed a lot of trial and error, but where there's a will, there's a way!

Top Shelf DIY

Wrap Around Wood Mantle

I've been wanting to spruce up my peninsula fireplace for a while and finally decided to add a faux wood beam wrap around mantle!

Kris | Beautymark Furniture

Fireplace Makeover With Slate-ish

This project was sponsored by Slate-ish Wall Armor. All opinions are my own.Hi! It's Jess from Jessica Welling Interiors.We’ve been eyeing this old fireplace at my parent’s beach house for several years now, brainstorming ways to give it a bit more presence and make it feel more modern. So when I learned about Slate-ish I knew it would be perfect for this project.