Thank you for the reply! There is really not much we like about it. Understanding that it's not in the budget to rip the whole thing out any time soon, our initial thought was paint just to lighten it and the room up. I also wonder if it would be possible to just frame around it and throw up some drywall over the stone.

Why ot cover it up with a simple "wall" you build out from it. If it doesn't hog the living room, then maybe a kind of bookcase that comes from from the wall and covers up the entire thing. Painted white or a light color could make it look interesting.

Why hnot cover it up with a simple "wall" you build out from it. If it doesn't hog the living room, then maybe a kind of bookcase that comes from from the wall and covers up the entire thing. Painted white or a light color could make it look interesting. Here are some links to ones I found interesting (but there are more):

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/341358846739585990/?lp=true

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/hide-unused-fireplaces-34652.html

https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/genius-ways-to-hide-the-eyesores-in-your-home (not fireplace related but rather ingenious)

https://www.ofdesign.net/interior-design/decorate-the-unused-fireplace-in-the-living-room-20-creative-decorating-ideas-1946

The first image in the last link looks like wallpaper. Maybe a fake plywood wall coming out to cover it all up then cover that in wallpaper?

I would paint it first....not cost much. Then if you don't like it, look around...might be be able to tile it, or drywall (like you mentioned) it or something. I think if you paint the brass frame black and maybe even the mantle, that will change the look of it...along with painting the stone.

I can't believe this. I have lost two long replies to you. I'm going to try again.

I googled "covering up an unwanted fireplace" and managed to come up with some interesting links:

https://www.ofdesign.net/interior-design/decorate-the-unused-fireplace-in-the-living-room-20-creative-decorating-ideas-1946

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/341358846739585990/?lp=true

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/hide-unused-fireplaces-34652.html

https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/genius-ways-to-hide-the-eyesores-in-your-home (not related to fireplaces but some ingenious ideas nonetheless)

The first image in the first link looks like wallpaper. Maybe a fake build-out in plywood, painted a nice color or wallpapered?

I like the idea of a bookcase on each side--the stone would not look so overwhelming, the way it does now, if it was balanced with bookcases on either side. If you are looking for a budget fix, I guess this is not a great solution, unless you are a handy, do-it-yourselfer. What about just removing the stone above the mantle and sheet rocking the wall there? I think the fireplace will look a lot better (even with the stone the way it is) when it is not going all the way up to the ceiling. I think painting the stone could look really, really bad. I mean BAAAD. And then you're stuck with something even uglier.

This link might be helpful- http://interiorartistry.us/post/138153188550/stone-fireplace

That's gonna look terrible painted - painted brick you can usually get away with, but painted stone is... yuck.

I think replacing the gold surround with a black iron one would be helpful, as well as getting a better proportioned mantlepiece beam in a lighter color wood (provided the current one doesn't have to match anything). Also I agree about adding shelves on either side - will take focus away from just the fireplace and make it feel less dominant.

Mike, is it a gas fireplace? I agree with the others who say that painting it wouldn't help. I think your idea of covering as much of it as possible with drywall is the best; inexpensive and you'd get a whole new look. Just make sure that you read the manual or check with an expert of how close combustible material can be to the firebox first.

The ledge below the firebox isn't too bad, and you may be able to leave that, and cover up the short riser below it, or even leave it, as it looks like you have wall to wall carpet.

Thanks everyone for the input. It is a wood fireplace that was converted to gas at some point before we purchased it. I am in favor of covering with drywall, but have concerns about whether that is safe - I will have to look into it. My wife is in favor of painting it and thinks drywall would be too big of a DYI undertaking, so I have some work to do on that front too!

I also agree that replacing the gold surround with black and painting the mantle could make an immediate difference.

Don’t know if you are don’t with this projects, but thought I would throw in a couple of places to start. Spray paint the gold surround black and paint the mantle. Inexpensive, easy and a place to start. We did this in our home and I could not believe what a difference it made!

I agree with violetsnapdragon about adding some shelving on the sides. Perhaps (budget permitting) you could partially cover the fireplace, similar to below. As much as you dislike the stone leaving some of it will add some texture and interest. I too would be hesitant to paint that type of stone. Good luck!