Help! What can I do with this?

[Creativebee]

My budget won’t allow us to replace this fireplace right now so I need to give it a makeover. I’m not sure if it is marble but has that effect. The rest of the room is white and grey, the gas fire is black and gold which I’m not that bothered with but the brown is an eyesore. Anyone have any quick and cheap makeover ideas that don’t involve building anything because I’m not really great with building 🤣

Is that for real? It looks like it has a black sack on it, no?

I would beg, borrow and steal a sideboard off free cycle, cut the back part out of it and hide it completely!

Or maybe a big welsh dresser.

🤣🤣🤣 it has a bin bag over it because I’m painting 🤣🤣🤣

I quite like it and think it would look ok against a different colour background / wall colour. Do you have to stick to grey ?

@Neveranynamesleft I think I kind of how to as it has taken my DH several evenings after work to paint and he’s only got skirting boards to do 🤣🤣

Then I would probably paint it with latex or chalk paint, primer first. Or if you can take it off, try find a free replacement on a freecycle site !

I would be inclined to put greenery there. Something on either side of the fire and a few things on the top.

If it’s proper stone like granite or marble, I really wouldn’t want to paint it.

I would lean into it, tbh, and use it as a focal piece. If it's stone or marble, I wouldn't paint it as you could.make a huge mess.

Yes it doesn’t work with grey. It also looks like it’s a bit dirty, I’d give it a good clean with some fairy, then with some diluted bleach. I’d not paint it, it’s a risk unless you’re capable, if you are, then white chalk paint.

We had a very similar one in a 1990s built house. Hated it. Was surprisingly easy to unscrew it and replace it with something from b&q.

See if you can see how it is attached.
Be careful of gas if tis a gas fire obviously!

Are you planning on using the fire? Or just having it sat there until you can replace/remove it?

Honestly I’d just leave it till you can afford to replace it…you’ll get used to it.

Whatever it is made of, the colour simply won't do, so if there's no prospect of getting it out, I would paint it, regardless.
White or grey to go with the room or a contrasting colour you can live with.

I’d take it out. No need to replace it. Decorate the hole.

I have a marble hearth same as yours, I painted it black. Looks so much better

Planning on spraying the fire black until it gets replaced. Still to decorate the room so this was a quick fix but it works. Sorry that picture is sideways 🤦‍♀️

@ChickenGotLegs That looks amazing 🤩. I had been researching how to paint it but I am now really worried that I’ll make a mess of it. I’m not the best of DIYers, I can just about paint 🤣🤣. We’re not actually going to use the gas fire but I can get used the fire it’s the surrounding. I saw some vinyl tiles which I was considering but then I think they might not work on the top and bottom shelf bit but because we’re not planning on using the fire itself I’m not concerned about peeling or burning but will they work on the flat shelf bits. I’m adding a picture, please give me your opinions.

I don’t think you will like the stick on tiles much, OP.

There is no reason not to paint it, just use a good stone primer ( I think HG do one, but a specialist or trade decorator outlet will advise you) and masonry paint, they are made for stone or brick so will adhere properly.

I'd definitely replace it - you say budget won't allow but near me there are loads on Facebook marketplace either really cheap or even free. You could sell yours too so probably won't cost anything. If you're not going to use the fire you could just get a gas fitter to cap it off.

Also like the sideboard idea posted above.