How to Disguise an Ugly Fireplace

Paint the fireplace if it has some kind of smoke damage or the bricks are slightly chipped up. Scrub the fireplace first with a wire brush, soap and water, then paint it, bricks and all. This solution allows you to use the fireplace as a focal point in the room if stains were the only issue.

Choose a tapestry that covers a large area and hang it so that the bottom of the tapestry touches the mantel; this ensures fuller coverage. Select a tapestry based on the decorating style you've chosen. For example, if your home is decorated in Tuscan-style, look for a tapestry of the Italian countryside and hang it up using wrought iron hangers, which is appropriate for this style.

Hang large works of art and photos above and on your mantel. Choose ornate, eye-catching frames; you want them to draw attention away from the fireplace. Hang the frames close together, so there's not much space between each picture. This ensures maximum coverage.

Use decorative elements like tall floral arrangements, sculpture or pottery for the hearth of your fireplace if it's a fireplace you can't use. Place the tallest decorative elements in the back and the shorter ones in front. As you position these decorative items, stand back every once in awhile to get a longer view of the piece. This allows you to see gaps where the elements are not covering up the ugly fireplace.

Opt for a free-standing screen to place in front of the fireplace. Some hearth screens are decorative and made of metal. Some are quite large and represent a good option if you still burn your fireplace. Another option is a divider screen that you place a foot or two in front of the fireplace. Avoid burning anything in the fireplace if you opt for this solution.