The Best $100 I Spent On My Fireplace: Marble Tiles

Are your eyes suffering every time you glance at your fireplace? Is there anything you can do about it on a budget? Yes, there is. Here come the marble peel-and-stick tiles to the rescue. Long live DIY!

I find this the best low-cost fireplace makeover. It is more durable than paint and has much better quality and design than other peel-and-stick tiles.  Oh yes, this looks like marble but is a self-adhesive, waterproof, heat resistant, and easy-to-clean resin tile. Not even to mention how easy to install, compared with real tiles: no wet saw, no grout, no mess.

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Here are all the tools you need:

Fireplace Marble Tile Makeover – Step by Step

1. Measure the area

In order to know how many boxes of tiles you will need to buy, measure the fireplace area that you want to cover.

It doesn’t need to be exact, and you can usually order an extra box and return it if you don’t need it.

2. Smoothe the surface

This is important! These tiles are not recommended for an uneven surface.

In my case, the tiles were very uneven. So I did a small demo and filled the holes (using the tools I had at home), trying to level the surface. Let the filler dry overnight.

3. Clean

Nobody’s best friend, but the surface needs to be non-greasy and free from dust for better adhesion. After the demo, I had pieces and dust all over the place, so it was very necessary.

4. Stick the marble tiles

Start with the easiest to place (the ones that don’t need cutting). Peel and stick the tiles to the surface. By doing this you will start figuring out the layout that works best for your fireplace.

Be warned- the adhesive on these tiles is very strong. They are very hard to remove and reposition, so be careful with planning!

Note: I used a laser leveler to make sure the tiles were straight but this is not really necessary, just a helpful tool.

5. Make the cuts

Use a scissor to cut the tiles. Don’t use an Exacto knife or a cutter, as this may result in the tiles being damaged. All the reviews showed that scissors were easier and more effective, and it was indeed very doable!

Another important tip: before sticking a tile next to the border, if your next tile will be a very small piece to fill a small space, don’t stick the big tile yet! Just place it, without sticking it, and cut and stick the small piece first. Then, stick the bigger tile. Hopefully, a picture can help:

Conclusion

This DIY took me three days, working a couple of hours each day. I did the demo and cleaning, then the front, and finally the floor.

I used my kitchen scissors and the last couple of cuts were painful. That is why I recommended stronger scissors!

These tiles are amazingly good. The printed picture and the shine they have on them make them look like real marble. I can see a reflection of the basket or the white facade on them. The joints look perfect, you don’t end up with strange patterns, like with other tiles.

I would do it again without a doubt! It makes me happy to look at it every time!

Lastly, a before and after:

Hoping these ideas inspire you for your next project,