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mach0301

Paint fireplace surround?

3 days ago
last modified: 3 days ago

We just moved into this house. There's this large wall with the fireplace and windows in our living room and currently everything is white. Sofa is sw cyberspace, a charcoal blue tone and coffee table is a mango wood. Tile on surround is staying for the foreseeable future. I'd like to add curtains on the windows but am stuck on the fireplace and surround. Do I paint all of it, or some of it? Or just paint the walls and the surround will pop? Our previous home was whites and beiges. Was thinking of making this living room more colorful but it is the line of sight from the entry. And hubs was not sold on some of the green samples I tried. Windows face north.

Comments (10)

  • 3 days ago



  • 3 days ago

    I wouldn't paint the fireplace. Your room is nice but looks unfinished. Painting the fireplace won't solve that issue.
    I would add color with one large piece of art over the fireplace and one behind the sofa. Your mirror isn't reflecting anything colorful or interesting. You can also add color with sofa pillows, an area rug and roman blinds. A long tv console will also make the space look more finished.

  • 3 days ago

    I don't like the art ChatGPT picked and it "AI"ed your house a bit. But this gives you an idea.


  • 3 days ago

    Great, thank you! We are planning to do some board and batten in entry, staircase. Hopefully that will reflect better in mirror? But yes, we also have to furnish the room more. Finding a tv stand I like and doesn't cost more than my sofa is a challenge right now. And also large artwork. Moving from a house that was very different but sort of done decorating is hard. I want everything looking set. Patience is hard.

  • 3 days ago

    The board and batten reflecting in the mirror is not going to help add color to your room. And it won't take away the unattractive reflection of the fan. Is there wall space in your entry for the mirror?
    Since budget is a concern, I suggest buying a couple of colorful pillows for the sofa and a colorful low bowl for the coffee table to cheer the place up. And save up for your art and tv console.
    Don't let perfect be the enemy of the good.

  • PRO
    3 days ago

    Not sure you need to paint. Your room is not finished and it needs texture and contrast more than paint.

    I added a tree by the window to take advantage of the light and height in the room

    I moved your recliner out from the corner

    Select art not a mirror over the fireplace. Your mirror reflects nothing of interest.

    Your room could use a large canvas behind the sofa for more texture and color

    Select a wall hung Media Cabinet in a wood finish for under the TV



    https://www.artexplore.net/products/modern-abstract-painting-abav389?variant=45024592593135


    If you want your room to be interesting make sure many of these elements are found in your room. They will help provide color and texture without relying on trends.


  • 3 days ago

    If budget is a concern (which it is for most people), you could use IKEA for a TV console.


    There are different IKEA items that can be used - however, I've never been to IKEA - and the only item I know is Besta boxes/cubes (from suggestions here on Houzz). Here are a few examples of how you can make a Besta console look custom/higher end:


    This one simply adds different pulls to the doors/drawer fronts (you can decide whether you want doors/drawers/a mix of both):



    Adding wood trim to the doors (the Besta unit below is the one that is shorter - there are two heights - both can be installed as floating media units or placed directly on the floor or you can add legs)



    The doors below are IKEA doors - made with a wood veneer (no hack - just need to purchase these particular doors = easy!)



    Add paint and rattan + special knobs + legs:



    There are third party sellers who make doors to fit Besta units (many people add rattan or different type of screening panels themselves vs. buying them from a third party).





    The person who made the console below used besta units + added fluting + paint (you could do the same thing with whatever color paint you wanted to use + not make it as tall as the one below).



    Below someone added reeded glass to some IKEA doors:





    There are sellers who make overlays for various IKEA products (including Besta units). The company that was used below is called "Overlay" - I've seen them for sale on Etsy + they also have an Instagram showing various types of overlays (you just purchase the plain white flat panel doors = really inexpensive).


    Here is another popular overlay that people use (they make them mirrored overlay pieces also).



    Below is one of the shorter Besta units that has been installed as a floating media console:








    The person who made the one below wanted a mid century console - using Besta units made the project much less expensive.



    I've added the one below just to show you how many unique ideas you'll find if you do a search for Besta hacks:





    You also are able to add the number of boxes you need together in order to make your console whatever length is needed. Some people will make wall to wall units - others will make ones that work with the size of the TV.


    I think that they are available in 3 box units/2 box units/single units - then you can add ones together in order to reach the number of inches you need for your media console.

  • 3 days ago

    I typed a fairly long comment for you regarding media consoles. However, it didn't post.


    If you'd like to have a nice looking media console without paying $$ - do a search for "IKEA Besta hacks." I've seen some posted awhile ago - and then helped my daughter make a long media console for her basement.



    Inexpensive option - they just added some black pulls:





    The doors below are IKEA wood veneer doors available for purchase at the store (I've never been to an IKEA -however, I saw these doors when helping my daughter on IKEA's website):



    If you search for ideas, you will find examples of different DIYs that do not look like IKEA besta units at all.




    The one below is a hall table - but it could be made shorter in order to be a media console. It looks like they simply painted IKEA doors.





    You can purchase overlays to put on IKEA's flat white doors:



    there are also third party vendors that sell doors specifically for the Besta units:



    You can make your own rattan doors vs. purchasing them:


    The units come in two heights - both can be made into floating consoles (this is the shorter unit below):



    Someone made a mid century style one:


    This last one shows just how customizable they can be - just use your imagination!




    You can add doors or drawers or a mix of both. You also can customize the length of the console depending upon how many units you use (there are three units/two units/single unit options + you can purchase a three unit one and add a single unit if you need one that is four units long, etc. You just need to use a unifying top piece in order to not be able to see that the console is made out of different pieces.

  • 3 days ago

    Dani, I can see both of your long and thoughtful comments. Houzz, is glitchy, that's for sure.

  • 3 days ago

    Thank you both! This helps a ton! Ive never been to ikea but those are some great ideas. I'll have to brave that warehouse some time. I'll start on a console and keep an eye out for some artwork.