Have a Hearth: Make Your Fireplace Look Smokin' Hot All Year Round
Why not transform your fireplace from an unused or working winter utility into an eye-catching feature
The thought of sitting by a roaring fire during an Australian summer is as unappealing as it is impractical. Summertime Down Under is all about keeping it cool, so the fireplace that got such a good work-out over winter often becomes relegated to the background and forgotten about come spring and summer. And the fireplace that has been boarded up, well … it often takes centrestage as an unloved eyesore in the room.
However, a fireplace has a lot of potential and can really enhance your home whether it is in working order or not. It can be used as storage, a place to display potted plants or showcase quirky collectables. Read on for ways to give your fireplace a makeover.
However, a fireplace has a lot of potential and can really enhance your home whether it is in working order or not. It can be used as storage, a place to display potted plants or showcase quirky collectables. Read on for ways to give your fireplace a makeover.
Create a quirky eclectic display
This is a perfect example of how an unused fireplace can be transformed into an unforgettable feature. The mix of books and vibrant orange cover art displayed below an eclectic mantlepiece assortment is full of personality. I am loving the idea of using old prize cups and trophies as vases as well. Eclectic style can work brilliantly when paired with a vintage fireplace.
This is a perfect example of how an unused fireplace can be transformed into an unforgettable feature. The mix of books and vibrant orange cover art displayed below an eclectic mantlepiece assortment is full of personality. I am loving the idea of using old prize cups and trophies as vases as well. Eclectic style can work brilliantly when paired with a vintage fireplace.
Add a kitchen cookbook stash
If you have an old disused fireplace in the kitchen, this is an ingenious way to store cookbooks and have them close at hand. I’m loving the china plate wall display on the chimney as well. It’s a great way to make use of all the available kitchen space.
If you have an old disused fireplace in the kitchen, this is an ingenious way to store cookbooks and have them close at hand. I’m loving the china plate wall display on the chimney as well. It’s a great way to make use of all the available kitchen space.
Delight the senses with candles
For a working fire, you can create the cosy atmosphere of a fire minus the heat in the summer months by using assorted candles. Add another sensory hit by filling your fireplace with scented candles filled with fresh summer smells such as coconut and lime, citrus or jasmine.
For a working fire, you can create the cosy atmosphere of a fire minus the heat in the summer months by using assorted candles. Add another sensory hit by filling your fireplace with scented candles filled with fresh summer smells such as coconut and lime, citrus or jasmine.
Here is another example of an elegant white candle display. An assortment of widths and lengths creates visual interest and simple elegance. Church candles are ideal for a display such as this and don’t have any scent for those prone to allergies or for those who prefer their candles sans fragrance.
Exhibit your collectables
This ornate fireplace is the perfect fit for this owner’s quirky collection of skeletons and skulls. Finding the ideal spot to display your collectables without causing clutter can be such a satisfying and rewarding experience for avid collectors.
This ornate fireplace is the perfect fit for this owner’s quirky collection of skeletons and skulls. Finding the ideal spot to display your collectables without causing clutter can be such a satisfying and rewarding experience for avid collectors.
A sneaky playroom storage nook
A disused fireplace can be a perfect hub for keeping toys out of the way. And adding a coat of paint can make it into a noteworthy feature. If you’re a bit hesitant about painting over brick surfaces indoors, learn how to paint them like a seasoned pro here.
A disused fireplace can be a perfect hub for keeping toys out of the way. And adding a coat of paint can make it into a noteworthy feature. If you’re a bit hesitant about painting over brick surfaces indoors, learn how to paint them like a seasoned pro here.
The back of this fireplace was painted pink for a little girl’s room and doubles as a nifty cubby for storing toys.
Take a look at more inventive toy storage ideas
Take a look at more inventive toy storage ideas
Utilise extra living room storage
A simple and nifty storage idea is to pop an old storage trunk into the fireplace. Here you can store winter blankets or your ever-growing collection of books and magazines that are cluttering up your living room surfaces. Another idea in this theme is to stack vintage suitcases or travel trunks for both visual appeal and extra storage.
A simple and nifty storage idea is to pop an old storage trunk into the fireplace. Here you can store winter blankets or your ever-growing collection of books and magazines that are cluttering up your living room surfaces. Another idea in this theme is to stack vintage suitcases or travel trunks for both visual appeal and extra storage.
Keep bedtime reads close at hand
Use an old fireplace grate as a place to keep children’s books close by and off the floor for that special bedtime story.
Use an old fireplace grate as a place to keep children’s books close by and off the floor for that special bedtime story.
Add green with indoor plants
An unused fireplace is an ideal place to display indoor potted plants, like this gorgeous fern – or to perhaps cover up the charcoal debris and soot you haven’t had the time or inclination to clean up yet.
An unused fireplace is an ideal place to display indoor potted plants, like this gorgeous fern – or to perhaps cover up the charcoal debris and soot you haven’t had the time or inclination to clean up yet.
DIY your own fireplace feature
Make your own decorative feature with what you have lying around at home. A pot paired with some interesting dried driftwood or branches from outside can create a beautiful modern/rustic fireplace feature. Experiment with different bits and pieces and change it up as often as you like.
Make your own decorative feature with what you have lying around at home. A pot paired with some interesting dried driftwood or branches from outside can create a beautiful modern/rustic fireplace feature. Experiment with different bits and pieces and change it up as often as you like.
Create a cosy pet nook
Use an empty fireplace as a way to store decorative pillows … or perhaps a cat or dog bed? Depending on the size of your pet, a fireplace space can make for a cosy pet nook and keep pet hair off your clean floor.
Use an empty fireplace as a way to store decorative pillows … or perhaps a cat or dog bed? Depending on the size of your pet, a fireplace space can make for a cosy pet nook and keep pet hair off your clean floor.
Free up kitchen floor space
The owners of this gorgeous abode placed their china cabinet in the recessed space of their disused fireplace. This is a great way to save precious floor space in the kitchen and maximise storage potential.
The owners of this gorgeous abode placed their china cabinet in the recessed space of their disused fireplace. This is a great way to save precious floor space in the kitchen and maximise storage potential.
Create interest with a textured display
Bring the outside in and display a selection of different sized DIY glass terrariums for a sophisticated burst of green indoors. You could also add small potted plants. The vintage screen and dried branches used as a backdrop here really complete the look.
SHARE YOUR SPACE
How have you treated your used or disused fireplace. We’d love to see it and hear your tips in the comments section.
MORE
Winter Warmers: Where to Put the Fireplace
Fabulous Shelving Solutions to Frame Your Fireplace
Firewood on Display: How Does Yours Stack Up?
Bring the outside in and display a selection of different sized DIY glass terrariums for a sophisticated burst of green indoors. You could also add small potted plants. The vintage screen and dried branches used as a backdrop here really complete the look.
SHARE YOUR SPACE
How have you treated your used or disused fireplace. We’d love to see it and hear your tips in the comments section.
MORE
Winter Warmers: Where to Put the Fireplace
Fabulous Shelving Solutions to Frame Your Fireplace
Firewood on Display: How Does Yours Stack Up?
Sometimes simplicity can make for the most dazzling effect. A built-over fireplace doesn’t mean that its day in the sun is over. Who knew that an old painted wooden chair piled high with an assortment of folded linen could look so good? An old fireplace can be a great background for a second-hand or vintage find – think of it as a beautiful frame for your treasured piece.