Think of this as the alternate ending to our DIY Faux Fireplace story — the version where a small change makes everything feel finished.
(I’m still secretly hoping for an alternate ending for Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, too.)
Here’s where we picked things up in season two of the Bless’er House Can’t-Leave-Well-Enough-Alone chronicles.
Until last week our huge 60″ TV was still perched above the mantel. I wasn’t thrilled, but Robert was attached to it. Then, during a random Netflix session, he suggested we move the TV to the stairway wall — a simple idea that solved the awkward neck-tilt problem and freed up the entire fireplace area.
Once our DIY antique printer’s cabinet media console was in place, we had the freedom to rework the fireplace and remove that log-front door we’d built to hide cords. Goodbye, bulky cord cover — hello, clean mantel!
It turned out to be a bigger project than expected, so we recruited an extra pair of helping hands — even if they were much smaller than your typical handyman.
Apparently, Princess Anna is the official work uniform around here.
After removing the firebox door we were back to the original opening, ready for the next phase of the faux fireplace update.
Robert and Olivia also took down the TV mount while they were at it — a moment that gave me a mini heart attack but ultimately opened up the space.
If you want the full supply list and step-by-step instructions to build the faux fireplace, check out our original post here.
Materials we used for the firebox: (Affiliate links were in the original post; see the full disclosure on the site.)
- 1 panel of brick hardboard
- Circular saw
- Jigsaw
- Tape measure
- 1.5″ finishing nails
- Hammer or pneumatic nail gun
- Latex caulk (and a caulk tool if you prefer a neater finish)
- Paint brush
- Flat black paint (we used leftover chalkboard paint)
To begin, we secured a few 2×4 pieces across the bottom of the firebox opening so the brick panel would sit level and support the weight of the decorative logs. Then we measured and cut the first piece of brick paneling for the bottom shelf and anchored it with finishing nails.
Next we measured and cut the side panels, nailed them in place, and sealed every seam with caulk for a seamless look.
Because we needed access to two outlets inside the opening, we used a jigsaw to cut matching openings in the paneling before nailing everything up and caulking the seams.
Two coats of flat black paint made the outlets fade into the background. We could have installed black outlet covers, but they tend to have a slight sheen — painting kept everything matte and subtle.
A thrift-store fireplace grate showed up at the perfect moment. It fit the opening just right, and we filled it with birch logs for a cozy, decorative touch.
We won’t be lighting real fires in this firebox — it’s a visual element only. Since we only got about an inch of snow this winter here in Charlotte, a decorative fireplace suits us just fine.
I considered an electric fireplace insert, but for the width we needed the cost was close to $500. Instead, this faux firebox cost roughly $35 and still gives the same visual impact.
With the TV relocated, our mantel is now a blank canvas and I’m excited to start decorating. Finally — styling space!
I’ll share details about the TV’s new spot soon. In the meantime, I’d love to hear your favorite mantel styling ideas — especially summer decor suggestions.
I’m also planning to use this brick paneling somewhere else in the house. If it turns out the way I imagine, it’s going to be awesome. The paneling looks convincing and opens up a lot of creative DIY possibilities.
On a side note, our coffee table recently got a fresh stain on the top after taking a beating from frequent kiddo climbs. It’s still a work in progress, but already looks much better.
So, what do you think — do you prefer this updated look or the original log-front door? I’m curious to hear which version you’d pick.
If you’ve asked about items in our living room — like the fan or the curtains — you can find sources on our Shop the House page.
If you’re ever inspired to build your own oversized faux fireplace, feel free to save this post for later.
