I’ve covered plenty of fireplaces over the years, and you’ve got solid options depending on your goals. Build a custom patterned screen using cardboard and gift wrap for symmetry. Hide storage bins with quick fabric covers in about 45 minutes. Go bold with copper sheets and backlighting, or keep it minimal with clean lines. Repurpose the space for pets, books, plants, or wine displays. Add fairy lights and metallics to create drama and a glowing center point. Each approach makes your fireplace functional and visually appealing—stick around to discover which fits your style best.
Build a Custom Patterned Screen
Why settle for a plain cover when you can create something intentional? Here’s how to build a custom patterned screen for your fireplace.
Start with a four-panel cardboard board and remove two panels. Draw your pattern on the top edge, then fold it in half to create matching sides—this method saves time and guarantees symmetry. Trace the outline onto uncut panels so both halves mirror each other perfectly.
Next, cover everything with gift wrap or fabric, positioning the seam at the middle fold. Spray adhesive on the back, center your top piece, and smooth outward from the center. Trim excess and fold edges over for a polished finish.
These fireplace screens become conversation starters while protecting your space.
Hide Summer Storage With Quick Covers
When summer rolls around, your fireplace becomes the perfect hiding spot for all those storage bins and firewood you don’t need. A quick fireplace cover solves this problem effectively.
Here’s my go-to method: I take a cardboard pattern cutting board—using just four panels with two removed—and create a custom cover. With spray adhesive, I apply gift wrap, fabric, or maps to the board. It’s that straightforward.
The process takes about 45 minutes total. Two placement options on your white brick wall let you change your summer style whenever you want. A decorative screen works well too, hiding everything while adding visual interest.
Your fireplace goes from storage eyesore to a deliberate design feature.
Go Bold or Go Minimal
Once you’ve hidden away the summer clutter, you get to decide what personality your fireplace actually has. I find myself drawn to one of two paths: bold or minimal.
If you’re feeling adventurous, go bold. Think aged copper sheets or vibrant interior colors that make your fireplace opening impossible to ignore. Backlighting and high-contrast materials create a focal point that sparks conversation.
But maybe you’re the understated type. That’s where minimal shines. A plain white chimney breast with simple decorative covers blends seamlessly into your room. Clean lines and chalky walls let everything else—your plants, logs, or books—take center stage without competition.
Here’s the truth: neither approach is wrong. Pick whichever one suits you, and your fireplace will feel like yours.
Repurpose the Space: Pets, Books, Plants, and Wine
So what happens when you’ve decided your fireplace doesn’t need to produce heat anymore? You can repurpose the space into something that actually fits your life. Got a dog? Create a cozy pet nook with a bed and water bowls right in the hearth. Love reading? Stack books spine-in or spine-out for visual interest. Want to bring life inside? Plants in neutral tones create a peaceful green corner. Or maybe you’re hosting wine nights? Convert your fireplace into a wine rack display with the mantel holding glasses. The surround stays put, but the function changes completely. Your fireplace becomes whatever serves you best, making that unused space work harder than it ever did before.
Add Lighting and Metallics for Drama
If filling your fireplace with plants and books sounds a bit too calm for your taste, here’s another approach: turn that space into a glowing focal point.
I’d recommend creating drama with strategic lighting and metallics. Here’s what works:
- Install fairy lights or backlit LEDs behind the fireplace cover to create a striking glow that makes your room feel intentional and inviting.
- Add metallic accents like brass fasteners or copper sheets that catch and reflect light, bringing extra sparkle to your space.
- Paint your backdrop white or light colors so metallics and lighting really pop against the surface.
Use dimmer-compatible lights to control your mood—soft glow for evenings or bright illumination for entertaining. Your covered fireplace becomes a conversation starter, creating an unused space into something visually interesting. That’s the belonging you’re after.
