Beautiful, elegant fireplace surrounds add grace and warmth to living rooms. They are often the first thing visitors notice. However, to transform an unsightly chipped surface to something graceful is not a task many homeowners can handle on their own.
Hiring an interior designer can be an option, but it may well cost thousands of dollars. If you do not want to spend such a forbidding cost on updating your mantel, consider doing 
it yourself. However, before picking up any chisel or hammer, you need to have an idea of how your fireplace surround should be designed. Fortunately, it does not take a designer’s mind to come up with new idea for your fireplace mantel. There are some simple ways to go about this. One important thing that you need to sort out is whether you want to go practical or decorative.
Go Practical
Being practical does not mean the design of your fireplace surround has to look dull and uninteresting. In fact, from colors to styles to materials, there are more than enough options that can turn fireplace surrounds from an outdated spot to a focal point of living rooms. Even something as mundane as mosaic can make your mantel sparkle and shine. 
You may need a bit of patience when dealing with the especially small tiles, but mosaic can be laid in almost any kind of patterns and styles, making it one of the most flexible options of all times. Alternatively, consider Rox panels if you want a more prominent and probably more natural looking design. Such materials use real stones that are thinner, thus lighter when being tiled. They can give a natural, authentic look to your living room. Artificial finishes, stone veneer, and brick veneer are other options if you are looking for lightweight materials that are easy to use. All of these options are definitely easier to handle than its real variants.
Go Decorative
If you are looking for an artistic look, decorative tiles are the way to go. When handled properly, the finished product can be a great art piece. A good example of such tiles is accent decorative tiles. They can make even antique fireplace surrounds or cast iron 
fireplace surrounds all the more special. You can also consider panels in Art Nouveau or Victorian style. They depict floral or elaborate patterns and they can be readily found in home improvement stores. If you want to give a fresh look to your mantel but do not want to get much trouble, consider buying an insert. Whether you are looking for an elegant Victorian style or a modern geometric design, 
options are never lacking. For brick fireplace surrounds, the simplest way to spice it up is to paint the bricks white. It can create a touch of serenity that is perfect for candle-lit dinners or family gatherings. Whether you opt for the practical or decorative way, always treat your mantel as part of your living room. With that in mind, you can create a family spot that is both elegant and harmonious.