You Can Do It! Tips for decorating an unused fireplace With a little bit of creativity, an unused fireplace can remain the focal point in your room without being just an empty hole in the wall. Mirror, mirror on the hearth Hanging a mirror on a wall makes a room look larger. Why not hang one in or on your fireplace as well? You can create the appearance of a larger room from the floor up: + Place a mirror inside or over the opening of your fireplace. Use mirror mastic to attach the mirror to the brick. + Accentuate the mirror by placing candles in front of it. Painting the fireplace If you have a bricked-up fireplace, you can paint it to complement your home's décor. 1.Clean the brick with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. Allow to dry. 2.Apply a coat of acrylic masonry primer. Allow to dry completely. 3.Paint the fireplace with a latex interior paint. If you are using a dark color, you will have to apply more than one coat. Use the color wheel to find a color to complement your home's decor. Fireplace flower arrangement Make a beautiful silk flower arrangement for your fireplace opening. A basket is a perfect container for a fireplace arrangement: Add an artificial flower arrangement to the opening. 1.Measure the height and width of the opening to determine the appropriate width and height of the arrangement. 2.The arrangement should be at least 7 inches from the top of the fireplace opening and 3 inches from each side of the opening. 3.When creating your own flower arrangements, a triangular or inverted "T" arrangement will probably work best. Candle arrangement Your fireplace can still provide the romance of flickering flames with a tiered candle arrangement. Many candelabras are available to fit in or in front of the opening of a fireplace. Alternate the colors of your candles to coordinate with the season and your room's décor. Safety note: If your fireplace is equipped for gas logs, have the gas company check to make sure there are no gas leaks before lighting a candle. You can also create a tiered candle arrangement using the following methods: + Purchase glass blocks and stack them at varying heights and directions, horizontally and vertically. Then place votive candles on the blocks. You may also place pillar candles on the blocks in varying heights. + Place an unframed mirror or mirror tiles in the bottom of your fireplace. Arrange pillar candles on top of it in graduated sizes. Other options + A fireplace screen can be used even when the fireplace isn't. Use a fireplace screen to hide the opening in your fireplace. + Place a large framed picture inside the opening of an unused fireplace. A large desktop picture easel will hold the picture. Or hang the picture in front of the fireplace opening. Use a masonry drill bit to drill a hole for the hanger. + Potted plants that don't need a lot of sunlight will fill up the opening of an used fireplace for your own enclosed jungle. Courtesy of Lowe's Home Improvement