DIY Fireplace Makeover: How We Transformed Our Primary Bedroom With Peel-and-Stick Tile (Just in Time for Christmas!)
Decorating for the holidays always sparks the urge to refresh a room or finally tackle a project that’s been sitting on the back burner. For us, that project was a long overdue fireplace makeover in our primary bedroom. What started as a simple Christmas gift eventually turned into a full DIY fireplace transformation using an electric fireplace insert, MDF, and peel-and-stick tile.
This guide walks through the entire process—from planning to cutting, tiling, troubleshooting, and the final reveal—so you can recreate a beautiful, budget-friendly fireplace makeover in your own home.
Why We Finally Tackled Our Bedroom Fireplace Makeover
Years ago when we moved into this house, Jessica found the perfect antique-style mantel for our primary bedroom. She decorated it beautifully every season, but one thing was always missing: a real visual focal point inside the mantel opening.
Last Christmas, I bought Jessica a fireplace insert as a gift, thinking it would complete the space and bring that cozy glow we were missing. But like many DIY gifts…months passed. Then summer came. Then fall. Before we knew it, the insert had been sitting unused for almost nine months.
With Christmas approaching again, I knew it was time to get this project done, not only for the décor but for the warmth, ambiance, and satisfaction of finally finishing something we’d talked about for so long.
Planning the Fireplace Makeover: Tile or Peel-and-Stick?
Our original plan was the traditional route:
- Backer board
- Real tile
- Mastic
- Grout
- Mess
- Time
- Dust
- More time
But with the holidays around the corner, we decided to try something we had never used before: peel-and-stick tile.
We chose a beautiful herringbone pattern that had the look of hand-set tile without the complicated installation. The quality surprised us immediately—the texture, the tile definition, and the overall effect looked high-end.
One important detail: peel-and-stick tile must be applied to a smooth, clean, dry surface. That meant no rough plywood. Luckily, our son had leftover MDF from an amp box build, and it was the perfect material for creating a smooth tile substrate.
Measuring, Sketching, and Preparing the MDF Panels
Before making any cuts, we took careful measurements and sketched out a plan. This drawing helped us:
- Visualize the tile layout
- Determine the correct MDF size
- Map out the fireplace cutout
- Plan the seams
- Predict the tricky areas (like the bottom notched trim)
Having this sketch on paper saved us from guesswork later.
Once measurements were solid, we marked the MDF with reference lines, ensuring accuracy before cutting.
Cutting the MDF: Straight Cuts, Plunge Cuts, and Corner Cleanups
To size the MDF, we used a standard circular saw to make the long straight cuts. Those were easy.
The tricky part was cutting the rectangular opening for the fireplace insert in the center of the panel. Because we couldn’t start from the edge, this required a plunge cut—a technique where you carefully lower the spinning saw blade straight into the material.
A circular saw can’t reach into corners without overcutting, so after making the plunge cuts, we switched to a jigsaw to finish the corners with precision.
The end result: a perfectly cut opening ready to house the fireplace insert.
The bottom of our mantel had a trim board that stuck out slightly, so we needed to notch the MDF to allow the panel to sit flush. A quick 45-degree cut and a small vertical trim removed just enough material for the MDF to slide snugly into place.
Any tiny gaps left behind would later be hidden by tile—and eventually caulk—so nothing needed to be perfect down to the millimeter.
Building Blocking to Secure the MDF Panel Inside the Mantel
MDF can’t just float in place. It needs blocking to support pieces hidden behind the panel that give us something to screw into.
We ripped a 2×4 and attached the two pieces to the inside of the mantel using cabinet screws. These gave us a sturdy frame to anchor the MDF panel.
At first, we thought about attaching the MDF from the front using trim nails or recessed screws we realized it would be far easier to screw the panel in from the back.
Best decision ever. Clean, hidden, and simple.
Dry Fitting and Supporting the Fireplace
Before tiling, we dry-fitted the entire MDF panel and it was perfect, but we needed to support the firebox within the mantel cavity. To do this, I made a little from some scrap 2×6 (which measures 5 ½ inches wide) plus a 1 ½-inch scrap placed on top added up to a perfect seven inches – the distance from the floor to the bottom lip of the fireplace opening.
Surface Prep: The Secret to Peel-and-Stick Tile Success
Peel-and-stick tile only adheres well when the surface is:
✅ Smooth
✅ Clean
✅ Dry
✅ Dust-free
We wiped everything down with a tack cloth to pick up fine dust particles. Even a little dust can compromise adhesion, especially in a warm room near a heater.
With the panel prepped, it was finally time for the most fun part…
Cutting and Installing Peel-and-Stick Herringbone Tile
Cutting peel-and-stick tile is extremely easy. We used:
- A sharp utility knife
- A metal straightedge
- Several scoring passes
- A quick snap to break the piece
The first piece went in carefully—because with peel-and-stick, you really only get one shot. Align, press firmly, and commit.
After that, it was a rhythm: score, cut, peel, stick, press.
Since we chose a herringbone pattern, some of the cuts were more complex. But honestly, whether using peel-and-stick or real tile, herringbone always means precision cutting.
Finishing Touch: Caulking and Installing the Fireplace Insert
After installing all the tile, we noticed a few small gaps where the tile met the mantel. Nothing major—just small inconsistencies that happen with any DIY tile project.
Painters tape helped us create a crisp, clean caulk line. Caulk is the difference between “nice project” and “professional finish,” especially around edges and trim transitions.
With the panel tiled and the gaps caulked, the moment finally arrived: sliding the fireplace insert into place.
It fit perfectly.
We turned it on immediately (because of course we did).
The flame effect looked great…
The heater kicked on…
And the fan blew warm air into the room exactly as we hoped.
Instant ambiance.
Tools and Products We Used in This DIY Fireplace Makeover
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Peel-and-stick herringbone tile
MDF sheet
Jigsaw
Utility knife
Tack cloth
Painters tape
A High-End Look Without the High-End Hassle
I was honestly surprised. I thought Peel-and-stick tile would look cheap. It didn’t, AND it made the process incredibly fast, the end result looks just like traditional tile.
More holiday projects coming soon…stay tuned!