Eight suggestions to update your fireplace

Does your fireplace have a retro-style? Does it need to be freshened up? There are many ways to update a fireplace. No matter your budget, it’s possible to have a modern fireplace: you just need a bit of ingenuity and some creativity. Here are eight fireplace modernization ideas that will inspire you.

Fireplace inserts

If your fireplace is in bad shape, too much cold air is entering through the hearth, or you simply want to improve its efficiency, get an insert put in. Even if you start with a wood fireplace, you can add an insert that runs on either wood, gas, pellets or electric.

Built-ins improve efficiency by about 50% to 70% percent and add a modern touch to your masonry fireplace. They’re installed inside your fireplace’s firebox, and a metal pipe is added to the inside of your chimney.

Gas, electric and pellet-fuelled inserts are remote-controlled.

A We Love Fire dealer will gladly help you select the best insert for your fireplace.

Fire screen

Changing your fire screen is simple, but it completely changes your fireplace’s look. There are more basic, cheaper models, but custom models allow you to add your own personal touch. There is a near-infinite number of colors and styles.

Dracme Cast Mantel

Mantel and shelf

The fireplace’s mantel and shelf make for a big part of the final look. There is room for creativity when choosing the design materials: a concrete shelf for a contemporary look, a metal one for an industrial feel, or a wooden shelf for a traditional style. Make sure you check your municipality’s security regulations regarding fireplaces, especially if you are using flammable materials such as wood to build your chimney mantel. Many experts specialize in building fireplace mantels, but if you’re good with your hands, nothing prevents you from making it yourself.

Decorating

The simple act of decorating around the modern fireplace can give it a whole new feel. Add a painting you like above the chimney shelf. Change up the decorations on the shelf and around the fireplace to reflect the style you are looking for.

Surroundings

Sometimes, it’s not the fireplace itself that needs updating, but rather, it’s the space surrounding it. Paint the wall on which your fireplace stands. Use modern colors that will last throughout the years.

Are your fireplace and chimney are built into the wall? Use wood or ceramic tiles to create the illusion of a chimney on the wall directly above the fireplace. Add a shelf to give it some depth.

Add built-in bookcases on each side of the fireplace. Get them custom-built, or go for a much cheaper illusion. Install two prefabricated bookcases and use moldings to “stick” them to the wall and ceiling, giving the impression that they were built directly off of the wall. If you have existing moldings on the ceiling, use the same kind to “connect” the top of the bookcases to the ceiling, making the illusion all the more perfect.

Fireplace Façade

Change up your fireplace façade to make it more modern. Brick and stone can be painted. Make sure the surface is clean before starting your project. Use a wire brush to remove any filth, if needed. Apply a suitable primer to the brick or stone. Then, use heat resistant paint and that’s it!

Rather than painting your fireplace, whitewash it to the brick or stone peek through. Mix your paint with water. The paint-to-water ratio varies depending on the desired results. It can be one-part water to one-part paint, two parts water to one-part paint, or even three parts water to one-part paint. The important thing is to keep the same ratio throughout the whole procedure. Blend the mixture well and mix it often. With a paintbrush, apply the mixture to a small surface, then wipe it with a cloth. Repeat the procedure until you get the desired shade of color. Test it out on a hidden spot to make sure your water/paint ratio gives you the desired results.

Cover up a brick fireplace with decorative stone. These fake stones can easily be installed directly over brick using tile cement.

If your gas fireplace has a gold façade that doesn’t blend in with your decor, sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper and apply heat resistant paint. Consult with a specialist before taking on such a project to make sure the products you use are appropriate and safe for a fireplace.

Chimney

Consider the chimney wall a blank canvas on which you can let your creativity run free. Use unique ceramic tiles to give it a particular style, or wood to give it a rustic feel. Venture off the beaten track and match two materials for a really unique look. For example, install a few rows of black tile, followed by a few rows of wood, and so on. Let your imagination run wild, or find inspiration online.

Ambiance Cherry Grove Gas LogsLogs

Modify your gas fireplace’s appearance by changing its logs. You can replace them with stone burners, glass beads or other fake logs.

Safety First

No matter what method you use to update your fireplace, it’s always best to ask an expert before taking on the work on or near your unit, just to make sure that everything is safe and complies with your area’s safety regulations. After that, all you have to do is carry on with your plan to bring your fireplace up-to-date.

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service Ontario (ON)

Ajax, ON

Topfire Fireplace and Barbecue Inc.
487 Westney Rd. S
Ajax, ON L1S 6W8

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Aurora, ON

Topfire Fireplace and Barbecue Inc.
15483 Yonge St., Unit 1C
Aurora, ON L4G 1P3

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Belleville, ON

Friendly Fires
69, Dundas East
Belleville, ON K8N 1B9

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Burlington, ON

Barbecues Galore
3100 Harvester Road
Burlington, ON L7N 3W8

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Cambridge, ON

Bast Home Comfort Inc.
471 Hespeler Rd. 
Cambridge, ON N1R 6J2

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Carleton Place, ON

Friendly Fires
11384 Highway 7
Carleton Place, ON K7C 3P1

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Cobourg, ON

Friendly Fires
70 King Street East
Cobourg, ON K9A 1K9

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Collingwood, ON

Chantico Fireplace Gallery Inc
209784 Hwy 26
Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0L8

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Concord, ON

The Fireplace Specialist
19-391 Edgeley Blvd.
Concord, ON L4K 4A7

Etobicoke, ON

Barbecues Galore
1470 The Queensway
Etobicoke, ON M8Z 1T5

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Goderich, ON

Huron Fireplaces
308 Huron Rd
Goderich, ON N7A 3A2

Hamilton, ON

Chadwicks & Hacks
682 Fennell Avenue East
Hamilton, ON L8V 1V4

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Huntsville, ON

The Fireplace King inc.
14 Howland Drive, Unit 1
Huntsville, ON P1H1M3

Kincardine, ON

Chantico Fireplace Gallery Inc
6 Ashfield-Huron
Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X3

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Kingston, ON

Friendly Fires
271 Dalton Ave.
Kingston, ON K7K 6Z1

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London, ON

Porky's BBQ & Leisure
1075 Sarnia Road
London, ON N6H 5J9

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Markham, ON

Kastle Fireplace LTD
8294 York Durham Line
Markham, ON L0H 1J0

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Meaford, ON

Chantico Fireplace Gallery Inc
158185 7th Line
Meaford, ON N4L 1W5

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Mississauga, ON

Ontario Hearth Fireplaces
3425 Laird Road Unit #2
Mississauga, ON L5L 5R8

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Niagara Falls, ON

The One Stop Fireplace Shop LTD
4332 Drummond Road
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6C3

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North York, ON

The Fireplace Company
2854 Dufferin St.
North York, ON M6B 3S3

Oakville, ON

Barbecues Galore
490 Speers Road
Oakville, ON L6K 2G3

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Orangeville, ON

Its in the Shed
7 Little York Street
Orangeville, ON L9W 1L8

Ottawa, ON

Capital BBQ
12 Grenfell Crescent
Ottawa, ON K2G 0G2

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Pembroke, ON

Performance Woodburning & Gas
204 Boundary Road East
Pembroke, ON K8A 6W4

Penetanguishene, ON

Home & Cottage Centre
4 Centennial Drive
Penetanguishene, ON L9M 1G8

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Peterborough, ON

Friendly Fires
971 Highway 7
Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7

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Sarnia, ON

A Village Fireplace Shop Ltd.
623 Broadway St
Wyoming, ON N0N1T0

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Stratford, ON

Tri-County Brick
320 Home st.
Stratford, ON N5A 7C9

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Sudbury, ON

Nordic Energy Systems LTD
2324 Long Lake Road
Sudbury, ON P3E 5H4

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Thunder Bay, ON

Bob's Woodburners & Fireplaces
803 Memorial Avenue
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 3Z7

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Toronto, ON

Marsh's Stoves & Fireplaces
3322 Dundas Street W
Toronto, ON M6P 2A4

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Waterloo, ON

Bast Home Comfort Inc.
12-620 Davenport Road
Waterloo, ON N2V 2C2

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Windsor, ON

Scott's Fireplace Select, Inc.
2 North Talbot Road
Maidstone, ON N0R 1K0

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For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

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