Savvy DIY-er transforms fireplace surround with self adhesive floor tiles and spray paint
This budget-friendly makeover is an inspiration
A fireplace plays a key function within any room, most importantly the living room. Whether a working model or purely decorative it helps to create a main decorative focal point. And that’s all well and good if you like your fireplace surround, but what if you don’t? It'll be the first thing people are likely to see, and judge – eek!
That was the case for one DIY fan, Cheryl Edwards, who wanted to make her fireplace more attractive. So she transformed it using self adhesive floor tiles and a splash of paint, creating a new focal point to be proud of!
Related: DIY fan totally transformed her living room – creating a fireplace for under £80
Cheryl was so proud in fact she chose to share her fireplace project on the Extreme Budget DIY & Life Hacks Facebook page. And right she was to share it because this DIY job cost Cheryl just £36.98! Yes that’s right there isn’t a zero missing off that price. This DIY job left change from £40!! Amazing.
Fireplace surround before and after
‘Finally happy with my fireplace, total cost of £36.98’ she writes to the group.
The new-look fireplace has been a hot topic amongst the group, leaving Cheryl feeling overwhelmed by the response. With 1.5k reactions and 213 comments of high praise!
Wow! Beautiful’ writes one group member. ‘Looks amazing!!!’ exclaims another.
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‘That’s just beautiful! So classy’ and ‘It really does look like a pic in a magazine, so stylish’ say others. And we agree with the last sentiment, we’d happily have this impressive DIY job gracing the pages of Ideal Home.
When asked 'Are they black and white tiles, or painted with a stencil?' surrounding the fireplace Cheryl helpfully answers, ‘they are 'floorpop' self adhesive floor tiles.’
In addition to the adhesive tiles Cheryl spray painted the fire cover itself, changing it from chrome to chic black. To save money Cheryl used some leftover paint to smarten up the wooden mantel – to perfect coordinate with the tile pattern.
The on-trend colour decorating the wall behind the mantlepiece is ‘Aftershow’ by Crown. This striking colour choice helps to enhance the tile-effect fireplace surround even more so.
Buy now: Floorpops Comet Self Adhesive Floor Tiles, £14, Dunelm
Buy now: Crown Standard Emulsion in Aftershow, £16 for 2.5L, Homebase
Related: Mum refreshes tired-looking kitchen counters and doors with B&Q self-adhesive film
Where have you been savvy in your home with DIY solutions? We'd love to hear from you.
Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
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