How to Update a Fireplace with Stacked Stone

We bought our house when Tuscany was a decor adjective and not a region in Italy. Tuscany was to 2002 like Farmhouse is to 2018. We painted every wall in shades of brown and embraced granite tiles! Let that be a warning to shiplap. One of the many things we loved about our home was the dual-sided fireplace in the finished basement. It was like a 2 for 1 fireplace special. But with 12×12 tiled squares surrounding the fireplaces, it was time for a fireplace update with stone. Here is how to update a fireplace with stacked stone.

Over a weekend.

How to Update a Fireplace with Stacked Stone

We opted to start with the basement fireplace because if we screwed it up fewer non-family members would see the fireplace fail in the basement! On those days when I feel like my home improvement wish list is so long, this photo reminds me of how far our house has matured over the years; just like us. #wink

You knew there would be a before the stacked stone photo.

Before the Stacked Stone Fireplace

We decided to take on this project ourselves when my husband found this product at Home Depot. For the convenience factor (and back-saving measures), we ordered a pallet of the stacked stone panels and shipped it to our driveway.

We chose 6″ x 24″stacked stone panels because they were easier to handle, cut and apply. You can order the panels in different lengths and widths depending on your project.

Before we get to the pretty pictures we used the backer board as the base. The backer board was easy to apply with screws and it can be cut with a table saw.

We used it to cover over the niches/insets above both fireplaces.

Because of the arch above the fireplace, we added 1×2 boards to secure the backer board. We used a stone application Thinset to adhere to the stacked stone panels to the backer board.

How to Update a Fireplace with Stacked Stone | Before & After

This fireplace update was a weekend project from start to finish. I love the look and the results were impressive. We went with a dark gray, slate with subtle “whitewash.” Both sides have the same stacked stone; the contrast is all about the lighting. And, one of the fireplaces has a ping pong table in front of it!

We made those matching mantels for each fireplace. I shared the $75 mantel details here.