How to Modernize an Old Wood-Burning Fireplace
Wood burning fireplaces trigger a sense of nostalgia in many people. Does your home have one of those old wood-burning fireplaces that no longer looks or functions as it should? We’ve got a few ideas to bring it into the latest century. We’ve gathered up some of our favourite tips to help you update your old fireplace with new style and efficiency!
Redesign Your Old Wood Burning Fireplace
Install a Fireplace Mantle
This is an easy one and can give the space a fresh new modern look while providing an architectural anchor in the room. You can purchase fireplace mantle kits that are easy to assemble and reasonably priced. You might also consider salvaging an authentic fireplace mantle that has been discarded. A mantle gives you a new surface to decorate or artistically display prized possessions. Trust us, the mantle-styling possibilities are endless!
*Disclaimer: Always follow the proper clearance codes for combustibles when installing or decorating anything above your gas or wood burning fireplace.
Have a Gas Fireplace Installed
Modern natural gas or propane fireplaces give you the ambiance and flickering flames of a roaring fire, without the tending and clean up. You can have one installed within the existing space and enjoy all the benefits of a fire on a wintery night without the hassle and mess. Clean burning, no flue or less chimney maintenance, and instant heat at the flick of a switch; a gas fireplace could not be more convenient.
Overhaul Your Hearth
Maybe it’s time for your fireplace hearth to get a makeover. You can completely reset the tone of the room by retiling the hearth.
Don’t Forget the Surround
While you’re in a tiling mood, consider tiling the fireplace surround too. Just like modern mantles, you can get fireplace surround kits, or take on the job with your own original ideas. With nearly unlimited design options available, it can completely transform the look and feel of the room. Try rough brick finished tile for a rustic look or go ultra-modern with smooth glass tiles. Another budget-friendly option for redoing your fireplace surround is to create a stone veneer for a unique, contemporary look. If budget is not a factor, opt for a granite slab surround for a sleek, luxurious appeal.
Add a Fireplace Insert
By having a fireplace insert installed into your existing fireplace, you can take advantage of convenient, instantaneous heat with none of the maintenance. Fireplace inserts can even help you cut down on your heating bills, heating only the room you are in at the time instead of the entire house. You’ll enjoy the ambiance of a fire inside the shell of your masonry fireplace, and the convenience of gas or electric fireplaces often come with a remote control too!
Whether you’re looking to keep the cozy warmth of a fire or simply switch things up with a modern look, visit the Napoleon Inspiration Gallery to learn more about updating the design and function of your fireplace.
*Disclaimer: Always follow the proper clearance codes for combustibles when installing or decorating anything above your gas or wood burning fireplace.