How to Decorate an All Brick Fireplace that Goes to the Ceiling

Consider the functionality of the space. The location of the fireplace can determine its function and help to establish an approach when it comes to decorating. If the fireplace is located in the bedroom, for instance, it most likely will not be a gathering spot during the holidays. Instead, it could transform into a romantic space for you and your significant other to enjoy each other's company. To create a romantic setting, embellish the mantle, if one is available, with a variety of scented candles, or replace the logs in the fireplace with larger candles to make a cozy picnic area, which you can complete with champagne and strawberries.

Decide on your budget. Depending on the condition of the brick fireplace, you may need to establish a budget to cover repair and decorating costs. If the budget is $500, for instance, a quick coat of paint and a statement piece, such as a large mirror with an elaborate frame, will go a long way. To save money, recycle old treasures, or hit up local flea markets for bargain pieces.

Establish your comfort zone. Don't make the project larger than what you are comfortable with. If you happen to be handy with tools, you might be able to use the brick fireplace as inspiration and expand its overall design. For instance, building an adjacent floor-to-ceiling bookshelf adds functionality and pizzazz.

Evaluate your personal sense of style. If possible, try to define it so that when you are deciding on objects or colors to decorate the fireplace, it will fit right in with the overall theme. If your personal style is organic, you might want to look for inspiration right outside your home. A pinecone, a small branch of maple leaves or old items uncovered in your garage might help to provide inspiration for the space.

Think outside the box. This is your home and you do not need to be confined to traditional designs associated with a brick fireplace. Many individuals focus their attention on the mantle or on hanging a few pieces of art. But you can go to town with the brick design by adhering mosaic glass or mirror tiles directly onto the brick. Who says you can only have one mantle? You've got floor-to-ceiling space to work with. Create interest by incorporating additional mantles to the fireplace.

Improvise when necessary. Things might not always go according to plan, or the design might not look exactly the way you envisioned it. That doesn't make the project hopeless. Keep an open mind, and always look for opportunities to improve the overall design. If you shattered the mirror you hoped would be the centerpiece for the grand fireplace, use the individual pieces to create a family of smaller mirrors throughout the space.