Fireplaces are the focal points of the rooms wherein they have been constructed but are often left out of remodeling projects even if the rest of the rooms where they sit are changed. Yet a fireplace is not something that cannot be touched when you want to give a room a new look, and there are several things that can be done to improve or transform an existing fireplace. Your home remodeling contractor will be able to recommend the best option for you, but presenting the following possibilities to him or her can help you get the project started sooner and finished more quickly.
Giving a fireplace a new look can be as easy as giving it a fresh coat of paint, especially if there is no masonry work around it. Even if your fireplace has brickwork or other stone, a fresh coat of paint in an existing or new color can do wonders, and many interior designers are today painting the fireplaces in the homes they are redecorating.
Another option that can be pursued independently or along with the repainting of the fireplace exterior is the installation of new hardware. Having your contractor put up a new mantel over the fireplace or a new screen on it can actually do wonders and cost very little.
One final possibility to consider for giving your fireplace a new look is to reface it entirely. For example, you can ask your contractor to replace the brick with other stonework or swap out the stonework or drywall for wood. This option is generally the most expensive, but it also creates the most radical interior design change for your fireplace. If you end up with a new look that you love, then any expense will certainly be well worth it when all is said and done.
