Is Your Fireplace a Good Focal Point? Home Staging Minneapolis

By
Home Stager with Rooms With Style

Step back and look at your fireplace objectively. Is it dated? In rooms that have fireplaces, the fireplace is normally the focal point of the room so ask yourself "Is my fireplace a good focal point?"

If your fireplace has dated brick paint it....please! I know it is scary.

I know you may like it the way it is and if you aren't selling then great....keep the dated brick. But if you are selling, or if you want to update the look of your home, PAINT IT!

It makes such a difference to the overall look of your fireplace and your room.

Some who have dated brick think they need to rip it out or cover it with tile or stone. You don't have to go to all that work to update it.

It is relatively easy to paint brick and once it is painted it is easier to repaint to change the color. White or soft white is always a classic look for a fireplaces and here is an example of a room that I suggested the brick be painted.

The room was so dark (we painted the paneling too) and the mantel and beams looked like they needed to be ripped out as they looked dated too.

 

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But the mantle and beams weren't the problem!

Rustic chic is very in style right now and that is exactly what the mantle and beams were but you couldn't tell that due to the brick. By painting the brick white it gave it a clean and modern look which people love. The buyers thought so too as it sold very quickly.

 

Look at that mantel and those ceiling beams now! Stunning!

 

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So please....I know it is scary but please paint your dated brick. Especially that red/orange brick. I think you will be happy you did!

A professional Home Stager or Designer will be able to help you make those tough decisions including color selection.

 

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Shar Sitter, owner Rooms With Style Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis MN.
CHSE and APSD Home Stager Pro Trainer
www.RoomsWithStyle.com
952-567-1124

 

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Comments (29)

Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

A fireplace is often a big deal for buyers, but some that you see in homes for sale are pretty scary looking. I saw one not that long ago hidden behind one of 2 large couches in the living room. For most, the fireplace is something to really showcase and do it well! And clean those glass doors or replace them.

Apr 05, 2017 03:07 PM
Shar Sitter

Couldn't agree more Jeff Dowler . Make them a good focal point not something to be hidden by sofas!

Apr 05, 2017 03:45 PM
Anna Banana Kruchten CRS, CRB, Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate BR030809000 - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Shar another really good before and after post! It makes a HUGE difference to just give it a little paint and bring it life once again.  I'm always surprised when I first walk into homes that the fireplace is ignored or looks horrible.  It's really such an easy fix! We do it all the time.

Apr 05, 2017 05:07 PM
Shar Sitter

It is an easy fix Anna Banana Kruchten, CRS and so many people just think it has to be left as is because it's brick. 

Apr 06, 2017 06:38 AM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Good posting about the elephant in the room i.e. the fireplace.

Apr 05, 2017 05:28 PM
Shar Sitter

Huge elephant Richie Alan Naggar !

Apr 06, 2017 06:38 AM
Laura Filip
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?

The changes made the room look much larger. The furniture change helped as well. Great choices in colors. Love the new look 

Apr 05, 2017 06:54 PM
Shar Sitter

Thank you so much Laura Filip RE/MAX UTOPIA | 903-271-4978 

Apr 06, 2017 06:38 AM
Christine Kankowski North SD and Temecula
House Match Inc - Poway, CA
Excellent Sales and Property Management

Nice job.  The lighter paint made a big difference. 

Apr 05, 2017 08:22 PM
Shar Sitter

Yes the lighter walls helped for sure as well Christine Kankowski Temecula & San Diego 

Apr 06, 2017 06:39 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

in CA some practical high end homes accentuate natural lighting, having in side court yard in the center of the home. I have seen disappearance of fireplaces. Many feel the global warming from wood burning CO emitting more soot from residences and are removing fire place ......  It is the least efficient heat loss ...

Thanks for your nice blog.

Sam Shueh

Apr 05, 2017 10:05 PM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Sam Shueh . No one is MN is going to be taking out their fireplaces! :) 

Apr 06, 2017 06:39 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker, Blackstone Realty Group - brokered by eXp Realty - Kalispell, MT
The House Kat

I love the before and after photos. I definitely see certain fireplaces, and think, "ugh" and others where I say, "Oh! Beautiful!" There is such a thing as an ugly fireplace.

Apr 06, 2017 03:24 AM
Shar Sitter

There definitely is such a thing as an ugly fireplace. This was one of them.  But not any more!

Apr 06, 2017 06:40 AM
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

What great before and after comparisons!  The new version looks light and bright.  Adding the pillows along the fireplace also refresh the look!  Nice.

Apr 06, 2017 05:29 AM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Shirley Coomer . Yes the pillows did help to soften all the brick. 

Apr 06, 2017 06:41 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

I'm not a fan of painting brick, but in this house it looks great.  Cleans up the room and gives a sense of openess.  I am a big fan of painting paneling if not outright getting rid of it.

Apr 06, 2017 05:59 AM
Shar Sitter

I hear you on the paneling Mick Michaud . Glad I changed your mind on the painted brick at least on this one. 

Apr 06, 2017 06:42 AM
Karen Graves
Artistic Home Staging - Edmond, OK
Certified Home Stager/ReDesigner in the OKC area

Great job on updating a tired, outdated fireplace!  It looks gorgeous!  Your before and afters look fantastic! 

Apr 06, 2017 10:21 AM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Karen Graves , much appreciated!

Apr 07, 2017 06:18 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc 610-225-7400 - Devon, PA
Tredyffrin Easttown Realtor, Philly Main Line

Love your example and how much difference it made, that room went from ughh to wow with a coat of paint.

Apr 06, 2017 11:00 AM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Nick & Trudy Vandekar , it was a huge UGH and one that the buyers may not be able to see past to it's potential. 

Apr 07, 2017 06:19 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
New Hampshire Home Stager

Gorgeous! I'm a huge fan of painted brick. One of my favorite products is Brick Anew. I've not seen the inside painted before...is a special paint required in order to still be able to burn?

Apr 06, 2017 01:35 PM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Sharon Tara . I love painted brick too. I am not sure what the contractor did to tell you the truth. I told them they had to paint it, picked out the color and when I came back the inside was done too! It looks fabulous though and it passed inspection which are tough here in MN. 

Apr 07, 2017 06:21 AM
Cheryl Dukes . . . . . Intown Atlanta
Solid Source Realty, Inc. - Atlanta, GA

The white paint really does a nice number on that fireplace.

Apr 06, 2017 06:28 PM
Shar Sitter

Thanks Cheryl Dukes - Atlanta . It really does. 

Apr 07, 2017 06:21 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I am a fan of painting a fireplace at times and our is painted because it looks better.

Apr 06, 2017 06:41 PM
Shar Sitter

Most times the painted brick does look better Joe Pryor , I agree. 

Apr 07, 2017 06:21 AM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in German and Real Estate * M.A. ABR ASP

What a transformation, it is gorgeous! You know, I didn't even notice that cool mantle in the before picture but now it really pops against the painted brick. 

Apr 06, 2017 06:44 PM
Shar Sitter

Isn't it a great mantel Andrea Bedard ? It's like something Joanna would put in on Fixer Upper and it was already here! 

Apr 07, 2017 06:22 AM
Melissa Jackson
Century 21 Alliance Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Top picture looks like a few homes in our area.  Many people cringe when we suggest painting brick fireplaces.  Really brightens up the room. Your after pictures are clean and gorgeous!

Apr 06, 2017 08:00 PM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Melissa Jackson . Well you will have to show your clients my after photo to get them to paint their brick before selling! :) 

Apr 07, 2017 06:23 AM
Kathy Booth, Setting the Stage
Setting the Stage - Newmarket, ON
Home Staging and ReDesign Professional

Huge improvement, looks stunning!

 

Apr 07, 2017 07:08 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

What an enormous difference the painted brick makes in the living area.  Well done!

Jun 26, 2017 09:31 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • Green • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Buyers like a choice of having a fireplace, even if they do not use it( usually rarely being used here in CA), but dated and dingy fireplaces can be a turnoff. 

Oct 06, 2017 02:21 PM
Shar Sitter

Exactly Inna Ivchenko !

Oct 12, 2017 12:25 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

What an amazing transformation!  Your photos are proof positive that painting the brick makes an enormous difference.

Nov 30, 2017 06:47 PM
Shar Sitter

Thank you Sharon Parisi . I am such a believer in painted dated brick.


 

Dec 01, 2017 06:04 AM

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