What can you do with an old fireplace?

How to decorate a non-working fireplace

1. Fill it up. …
2. Use it for added storage. …
3. Use it as a pet bed. …
4. Add shelves. …
5. Fill it with candles. …
6. Make it kid-friendly. …
7. Use it to display your favourite things. …
8. Cover it with an ornate screen.

Likewise, Can you redo a brick fireplace?

There are a few ways to make your fireplace feel new again. You can paint the brick, change up the mantel design, extend the mantel to the ceiling, add some fresh home decor elements, or all of the above. … Painting, on the other hand, is when you completely paint over the brick with an opaque formula.

Also, Does a fireplace add value to a house?

A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.

Moreover, What should I hang above my fireplace?

15 Mantel Decor Ideas for Above Your Fireplace

• Mirror.
• Art.
• Family Photos.
• Television.
• Clock.
• Wreath.
• Chalkboard.
• Window Pane.

Is it OK to block off a chimney?

Plain and simple, DO NOT seal off a chimney or fireplace because you will get a flue full of condensation problems! Even when your fireplace is blocked off airtight you’ll still end up with “hidden” water issues.

What is the best color to paint a brick fireplace?

Keep the Colours Neutral

To give a neutral look, use shades of white. Natural look can be got by using Tan, beige, cream, and light gray. Soft shades of gray and black go well will contemporary style rooms. Painting with light neutral colours can create a real brick look and blend with any decor.

Is red brick fireplace outdated?

Whitewash the brick

Red brick fireplaces used to be a staple in the 1970’s. Its warm tones complemented the flames, but not much else. … Whitewashing brick turns it a pale-grey color that gives it a new, modern feel. It won’t be an eyesore anymore, and can even hide prior discoloration or imperfections.

How do you make old brick look modern?

Here are a few ways to update old brick to get a new look.

1. Stain. If the color of the brick is your issue, staining is an option. …
2. Paint. Painting brick has become incredibly popular these days, especially for brick fireplaces. …
3. Whitewash. …
4. German Schmear.

Will removing fireplace decrease home value?

But losing a fireplace can affect a home’s appeal and possibly even its resale value, real estate pros say. A fireplace can particularly be viewed as a valuable amenity in colder climates, and removing one could even reduce the number of buyers drawn to a property, some agents say.

Is a fireplace a good investment?

1. Payback—now and later. You may want a fireplace just for the romance of it, but it’s also a good investment. According to a study supported by the National Association of Realtors, a fireplace adds 12 percent to the selling price of a home.

Is it OK to put a mirror above a fireplace?

A well positioned mirror can do wonders for the home – adding light, space and interest. … Hanging a round mirror above a fireplace works well stylistically. Visually the round shape helps to break up the straight lines of the mantle, hearth and the chimney breast.

What is the best color to paint a fireplace?

Neutrals are the safest color option when you’re painting your fireplace. Because they don’t lean cool or warm, the shades work with virtually any color scheme. Painting your fireplace a crisp white can help brighten a room, but you can opt for an off-white shade like cream or ivory if you want a softer look.

Is it safe to hang an oil painting over a fireplace?

Hanging Your Painting in Hot or Smoky Areas

There is no worst place than hanging your painting above a mantel, near radiators and heaters, or in bathrooms and kitchens. … Even specially made frames can’t guarantee that the heat from a fireplace, or other heat sources, won’t affect the painting.

How do you stop debris from falling down a chimney?

Sweeping definitely helps as it will help remove any loose deposits in a controlled manner and allow them to be disposed of safely, rather than you having mess greet you every morning. Regular sweeping also helps prolong the life of your chimney, as it gets rid of the acids and tars which attack the internal brickwork.

Do unused chimneys need ventilation?

A chimney needs a vent, not just at the top (provided by the cap) but also at the bottom. … The air flow helps keep the chimney dry and ward off any condensation forming inside the stack. If there is no air flow, condensation will form inside the stack and will be soaked up by the old coal soot.

How do you permanently close a chimney?

However, if you want to permanently close up your chimney, cutting out a foam insulation plug and placing it in the bottom of the chimney and caulking around it is the best method. You can also seal the edges with foam weatherstripping tape, too.

Is it a bad idea to paint a brick fireplace?

Although less physically demanding than covering exterior brick, painting an interior brick wall or fireplace is still time consuming. … Painted brick is as difficult to clean as regular brick. If you paint brick in a light color, it will require regular cleaning to keep it looking good.

Does GREY go with red brick?

Gray has been a very popular exterior color for years now and it’s a perfect pairing for red brick.

Does painting brick fireplace devalue home?

Brick can be white washed, limed or stained. Doing something to the brick, if it benefits the room will never devalue the home.

Will I regret painting my fireplace?

Subject: Will I regret painting my brick fireplaces? You will regret it. Painting everything white/white everything is going to go out of style in a flash – it’s already overdone and on its way out actually.

Can I use Dawn on brick?

When it comes to cleaning interior brick in your home like around a fireplace, start simple. Start with a dish soap and vinegar solution. This option removes many spots and stains and is not likely to damage the surface of the brick. Use a vacuum cleaner with an attachment to remove as much loose dirt as possible.

Is it better to paint or stain brick?

Staining Brick

Quicker and easier than painting, brick staining accentuates the natural texture of the brick rather than masking it. It absorbs into the brick rather than covering the surface like paint, so ultimately a stain acts like a dye.

Can I use vinegar to clean brick?

Mix equal parts vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on the bricks and let is sit for a few minutes. Use a sponge mop to clean the bricks. … Spread it on brick, let sit for 10 minutes and then scrub off with a brush.

How can you make red bricks look better on an old house?

Homeowners who want to improve the look of bricks on their old house should start by addressing any issues with the mortar (the paste that holds building blocks in place, like grout does for tile), which can corrode over time, then move on to the bricks’ actual appearance.