Faux Marble Fireplace

Happy Friday!  Today, I have a rental approved tip to help you spruce up your dingy fireplace. Enjoy... *This post may contain affili...

Happy Friday! 
Today, I have a rental approved tip to help you spruce up your dingy fireplace. Enjoy...

*This post may contain affiliate links*

Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround

Living in rental definitely makes me think outside of the box sometime. For the longest I have been wanting to do something to my fireplace. It has always been the eyesore in the living room. It is beat up and crooked. As I was looking around at my decor in the room I realized that it would be an easy improvement to update the fireplace if I used marble contact paper to give it a more chic look. Let me say...It did. It is ah-mazing how a small change can make a HUGE impact!

Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround

You can see from the above image what kind of condition the fireplace was in before the improvement. No matter how much I cleaned and scrubbed that thing it never seem to get clean, it really bothered me. 

Materials:


Con-Tact Brand Creative Covering Self-Adhesive Shelf and Drawer Liner, 18-Inches by 9-Feet, Marble White




 

Darice 7-Piece Hobby Knife Set

The MAIN materials are contact paper and an exacto (or utility) knife. If you want a different type of contact paper other than the type I have shown, you can purchase it on Amazon, they have a handful of faux marble look-a-likes in different shades of color. You will also need scissors to cut the contact paper prior to adhering it or you can use your exacto knife, if you want. 

Steps: 

Prior to doing anything to your fireplace make sure you give it a good wipe down so that the contact paper will stick to the fireplace surround. When doing most DIY project the best thing to remember is to always clean the piece prior to working on it, it will help whatever medium you plan to use on your piece adhere to your piece better. 

Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround-Tutorial

After I cleaned the fireplace surround, I cut the marble contact paper in strips to the desired size leaving about 1/2"-1" extra paper to work with in case of inconsistency or faults within the fireplace. 


Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround-Tutorial

I lined my paper up to the edge of the fireplace and adhered it to the fireplace surround, leaving the extra overhang of paper the side on the fireplace where the molding is at. Then I took my exacto knife and I trimmed off the extra remaining contact paper. 

Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround-Tutorial

Look at that fireplace! It is a slight improvement, right? I think so! I never knew how crooked the fireplace was until I took this photo. With the white you can see more of the flaws within the fireplace, but I knew that I would be dressing this area up so it really did not matter to me. 

Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround

I chose to block off the fireplace using a mirror. My son loves to try and crawl up into this thing and I desperately needed something to block him from doing so. No worries about him messing with the mirror, we have had this mirror like this for about a month and since placing it in front of the fireplace, he has not even attempt to mess with it. However, I would not deem this safe for those with babies or toddlers who are all over the place.We have never used the fireplace and we have no intentions to do so, so I think this is the perfect solution to adding a more chic, cool vibe to the room. Also, the mirror reflects one of the only source of light that we have in our downstairs, which is pretty nifty and somewhat energy saving during the day when no one but me and my son are at home. 

*If you choose to block off your fireplace, you can always use a large framed photo or art and adhere it using command strips. 

Rental-Approved-Faux-Marble-Fireplace-Surround

I probably should tell people if they come to visit not to sit on the couch if they are wearing a skirt or a dress, huh? Haha! I always think about that whenever I see the mirror...but it looks SO cool! To prop the mirror to the desired height, I used some old but chic Vogue, Glamour, and other fashion magazines. The other decor pieces are interchangeable, but I love how chic and feminine it looks with all the gold. My living room is finally coming together the way I imagined it to and I am Loving it! 

*NOTE: I am aware of the dangers of things falling on kids, if you choose to place a mirror in front of your own fireplace do it at your own discrepancy. 

Linked up with: Classy Clutter // House of Hipsters // 

You Might Also Like

57 comments

  1. Nicely done, I am loving this creativity. Thanks for sharing the tip to spruce up the fireplace.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really love the end result with the mirror! Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, I know it is a bold move....but I love the end result so much.

      Delete
  3. This looks so great! I absolutely love that mirror with the marble contact paper! Such a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow... That looks so much better! It brightened up the space and updated the look!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tell me about it girl!...Thanks for your comment and for stopping by Amanda!

      Delete
  5. I will make sure to not wear a short dress if I come to visit haha! It looks a lot better, good job!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You seriously always have the cutest remedies for making rental loving look like a home. This is so cute, and I especially love the mirror in front of the fireplace! So chic ☺️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Addie....Chic is the look I was going for.

      Delete
  7. This is such a cool DIY! I love the mirror placed in front and all of the accessories around it. Such a great look!
    Miranda Writes

    ReplyDelete
  8. I can't believe that's contact paper! You are so creative. Really great makeover!! I also really like the piece above the fireplace :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brooke, you are to kind. The piece above the fireplace was a DIY I did a while ago.

      Delete
  9. As a military family, we move often and I love the idea of being able to update any outdated rental home! This is definitely being added to my list of ways to help make whatever house we are in, home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know how you feel....I am a military brat and I totally get it. My mom did everything she could to try and make base housing feel and look more like a home. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  10. What a clever idea! Love the paper you picked and how you used the mirror to block it from your son! Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very beautiful look! I love the idea of the mirror it makes the room look gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  12. That looks great Jess! I would have no idea it's not real from the photos! It really changes the space and adds so much! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ruthie! The changes are like night and day! It literally looks just as pretty in person....It is my favorite spot in my living room.

      Delete
  13. Stopping by from The Blog Love Project. The marble look is amazing. Great transformation. The photos look wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brooke for your sweet comments and for stopping by.

      Delete
  14. Jess, your house decor is seriously my favorite everrrrrrr. I always try for the eclectic look...and it just looks a mess! :P I'll come make over your wardrobe and you come make over my living room! :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a cool idea! The marble looks so much nicer, and I love the mirror idea!

    ReplyDelete
  16. You talent always amazes me!
    Cynthia @craftoflaughter

    ReplyDelete
  17. The fireplace looks amazing. Great job! I also love your disclaimer about the mirror...both for people sitting across from it and it falling on toddlers. Too funny, but I know some people would say something. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I thought I should put that on there....Just in case. Thanks Shann!

      Delete
  18. No way, drawer liner? Genius!! And the savings, wow! Lol! Love how simple it is but makes it look nice and luxe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chic and Luxe was the goal...You got it girl! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  19. Interesting and creative way to change things up!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love how easy and fun this is! The contact paper really makes a difference! I love the mirror but am afraid it would make me too self conscious... a pretty fireplace screen would be great though! Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. That would look great too...I nice brass one (I have a theme going on, haha). Thanks for the suggestion Betsy.

      Delete
  25. I am always so impressed with the projects you do on here!! This one looks great and would be so easy to do; essentially, the perfect project! I think marble is always so clean looking too- looks great with your decor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks love! Marble is HOT right now....it is classic and trendy.

      Delete
  26. Love this! Just showed to the hubby and we're soon off in hunt of the perfect mirror. Not sure I'm brave enough to try the contact paper ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know I am a little late....but did you find the mirror yet? I hope all worked out for y'all. thanks Becki for stopping by and being inspired by my post.

      Delete
  27. we are about to redo our fireplace so this was good to read

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OOOOoooo, that sounds fun...just in time for fall!

      Delete
  28. Marble contact paper is the BEST. Such a great idea!
    xo, Caitlin
    And Possibly Dinosaurs

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a great idea! I love when simple DIY projects have a huge impact.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Simple projects are right up my alley....thanks for taking notice.

      Delete