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Before-and-After Fireplace Makeovers

January 21, 2015

By: Farima Alavi

See how top designers transform unsightly fireplaces into contemporary ones anybody would want to cozy up to.

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From: Elbow Room

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Metal Beauty

Contractor and designer Chip Wade of Elbow Room replaced this family's dated brick fireplace with a metal surround for a sleek look.

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From: Elbow Room

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Before: Dark and Dreary

The brick fireplace in this drab living room took over the space. The homeowners wanted something fresh and modern.

White fireplace with a mantel extended to the ceiling

Photo: HGTV fan Remodelando la Casa

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Fireplace Adds Height

HGTV fan Remodelando la Casa wanted to add height to her living room, so she extended her fireplace mantel to the ceiling. She kept the mantel accessories to a minimum to open up the space, but she added a signature piece of art as a bold focal point.

Crowded living room with decorated fireplace

Photo: HGTV fan Remodelando

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Before: Cramped and Nonfunctional

HGTV fan Remodelando la Casa's living space wasn't a comfortable place to hang out because of the cramped space and outdated furniture.

From: Secrets From a Stylist

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Before: Bedroom Eyesore

This bedroom had no design element, including the bland fireplace.

From: Emily Henderson and Secrets From a Stylist

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Nautical Inspiration

Designer Emily Henderson of Secrets From a Stylist chose a concrete fireplace surround for a rustic look. She hung a Cub Scout diagram above the fireplace and chose an ocean blue color for a nautical look.

Neutral Eclectic Living Room With Fireplace

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Before: Small and Bland

The homeowners wanted their fireplace to be a focal point in their living room, but the fireplace was too small. Nothing in the space coordinated, preventing it from having any design aesthetic.

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Fireplace Wall

The designers at b+g design created the illusion of more space by stretching the fireplace from one wall to the other. A Louise Nevelson sculpture conceals a flat-screen TV above the fireplace and adds a visual effect.

Photo: HGTV fan katylady09

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Before: Too Much White

The white tile surround of HGTV fan katylady09's living room was straight from the '90s. Its all-white look did nothing for the neutral space.

Photo: HGTV fan katylady09

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Chic Neutral

HGTV fan katylady09 kept the space neutral, but she refreshed it with a contemporary tile fireplace surround and a sleek mantel.

Photo: HGTV fan fjames74

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Before: A Brick Wall

HGTV fan fjames74 didn't know how to deal with the entire wall of brick in his living room. It made the space feel smaller and outdated.

White brick wall with stainless steel fireplace

Photo: HGTV fan fjames74

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A Modern Twist

White paint instantly adds a modern touch to RMS user HGTV fan fjames74's living room. The stainless steel fireplace surround enhances the contemporary look.

From: House Crashers

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Before: No Distinct Style

The homeowners wanted to turn their drab living space into the ultimate master suite. The outdated fireplace didn't blend with the design style they had in mind.

From: House Crashers

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Handmade Tile

House Crashers host Josh Temple of installed a handmade tile fireplace surround that acts as the focal point of the new master suite. It's so intricate that it needs only a simple sunburst mirror to dress up the fireplace wall.

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Before: Too Bare

The wall behind the fireplace was too bare and made the space feel uninviting.

Red and Black Living Room With Neutral Fireplace and Brown Coffee Table

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Custom Cabinetry

Instead of remodeling the fireplace, the designers at b+g design installed custom cabinetry for a completely remodeled look. They incorporated vibrant red accents to counterbalance the traditional architecture.

Photo: HGTV fan Renovatrix

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Before: Unsightly Brick

The bulky brick fireplace surround made it difficult for HGTV fan Renovatrix to decorate her living space.

Brick fireplace with white mantel and gold mirror

Photo: HGTV fan Renovatrix

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A Traditional Look

HGTV fan Renovatrix wanted an antique look, so she replaced the brick with an intricate mantel she found online. Bronze accents complete the traditional look.

Beige Family Room With Wood Piano, Yellow Chaise and White Mantel

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Before: Mismatched Furnishings

The homeowners collected the furnishings in their living space over time, but nothing coordinated.

Light Blue Eclectic Living Space With Gold Accents

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Modern White Marble Surround

Designer Elizabeth Gordon incorporated cool blues and greens to mimic the adjacent garden. She replaced the fireplace surround with white marble to create a striking contrast with the home's Neo-Colonial architectural style.