What to do with empty fireplace?

[CVML]

What to do with empty fireplace?

Hi All, hoping for some ideas/inspiration (and any relevant how tos).

Recent house purchase, 1900s London terrace. Ex rental and all character/period features had been removed. We had builders in for other renovations, and asked them to open up the fireplaces (they were just blocked off/plastered over). Hoped to find something nice to work with, but sadly just brick which is not in the best condition.

We had one in the kitchen cemented/plastered (will put a nice, maybe tiled base in and use it to display flowers/ornaments etc). The living room one we left thinking we may put a fire in, but now think we probably won’t. We’d like to keep it as a feature, but not sure what our options are. The cement is very crumbly/dusty (can easily scrape it out), bricks are very dirty and some broken. There’s some messy broken cement around the edges.

Thinking about putting a front on, but room is small and don’t want anything protruding too much. Could get a surround or mantel (not sure how you make this fit?). Potentially repoint the bricks. Or somehow make a surface we can tile onto to tile the inside +/- base.

We are happy to do what we can ourselves (partner pretty good with DIY) but not really sure where to start… any inspiration would be appreciated!

My mum’s has an electric fire in it that looks like a log burner. She rarely uses it but it looks nice.

I would buy a reclaimed victorian cast iron fireplace but that's because I think they look nice and will add value/ make the house more sellable. They are easy to find on eBay or there are online reclaimation places. Go for one which has been restored and has all the bits, so the grate and the cover for the ash pan.

You can either get one which has a mantle and surround attached or buy a separate one.

They are really easy to install as a DIY project especially if you don't want to use it. It should cost between a couple of hundred quid and £1000.

To install the main bit you literally put some Rawl plugs in and then screw through the 2 or 4 screw holes in the fireplace, into the wall. To install a surround you just fit it over the top and do the same with the 2 or 4 screw holes in the surround. It is easier than putting up a shelf.

Because they are so easy to fit and remove, you can put one in and then move it to add a hearth and refit it if you want to later. You can even buy premade tiled hearths which just slot in and then you sit the fireplace on top.

We’ve got a natural flames shop near us, they’ve got some lovely feature fireplaces that would look lovely there. I agree it’s too nice not to put something there.

I’d definitely get an electric fireplace (in an old style, not a modern one) and pop it in there. Even if you rarely use it, it’ll look so nice and in keeping with the period of the house. You could put some of those peel and stick tiles down too so it looks like a hearth.
If you didn’t want to do a mantle all the way around you could just do a wooden shelf across the top.
I would love something like this! It looks so cosy with the chair next to it.

The previous owners of our house put small shelves in and a downlighter. We use it for books/plants

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Have the brick work repointed (1 day's labour) and find a period surround. This will add depth and interest to the room, and give you a mantelpiece to act as a useful shelf. You can then decide whether to add the grate, fire basket etc (is the chimney working?) or leave the space free for a large flower arrangement or similar. It will also beg for a large over-mantel mirror, perfect for reflecting light and making the room feel bigger.
You shouldn't have any trouble sourcing a 2nd hand/salvaged surround.