We don't light fireplaces often in Tampa Bay, but the fireplace is still the first thing you see in many living rooms. A dated one, like old brick, a builder tile surround, or a missing mantel, can make the whole room look tired.
The simplest upgrade is a new surround. Large-format porcelain, stacked stone, or a patterned tile can be installed over the existing face, and adding a new mantel finishes the look.
Painting or limewashing old brick is another quick change. It keeps the texture of the brick but brightens the room and works with modern furniture and flooring.
For a bigger change, a framed feature wall turns the fireplace into a full centerpiece. We build out the wall, set an electric fireplace unit at the right height, plan a spot for the TV with hidden wiring paths, and finish it in tile, stone, or smooth painted drywall.
Electric fireplace walls are especially popular in newer homes that were built without a fireplace at all. You get the look and the glow, without venting or gas lines.