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Your fireplace deserves to be more than just a heat source—it’s the heart of your room and a stunning focal point waiting to shine.
Whether you’re working with a classic brick beauty, a sleek modern insert, or a vintage charmer, the right styling can completely transform your space.
Let’s explore creative ways to make your fireplace the showstopper it was meant to be, from bold tile patterns to cozy mantels that tell your story.
01. Create Drama With Zigzag Tiles
Credit: Design byStudio Peake
You’ll love how black-and-white zigzag tiles instantly modernize a traditional white fireplace surround.
This graphic pattern adds incredible visual interest without overwhelming your space. The bold geometric design creates a contemporary edge that works beautifully in both classic and modern rooms, making your fireplace impossible to ignore.
02. Blend Tile With Textured Stucco
Credit: Designed by Michael Keck forEmily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Mixing intricate tile around your firebox with smooth stucco creates an authentically layered look you’ll adore.
Add dark-stained wood pedestals beneath a display niche to enhance the architectural interest. This combination of textures and materials gives your fireplace a custom, collected-over-time feel that adds character and sophistication to any living room.
03. Style a Two-Sided Fireplace
Credit: Design byMichelle Gerson Interiors/ Photo by Brittany Ambridge
A floor-to-ceiling double fireplace covered in warm wood slats becomes an architectural masterpiece that divides your space beautifully.
This design works as both room divider and focal point. Frame your firebox with a recessed border that has a slightly worn patina to add depth and visual intrigue to your bright, modern interior.
04. Embrace Linear Fireplace Design
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You’ll appreciate how a contemporary linear fireplace complements minimalist white walls without demanding too much visual attention.
This sleek, horizontal design practically disappears when not in use, then adds instant warmth and ambiance when lit. It’s perfect for modern spaces where you want clean lines and understated elegance throughout your room.
05. Build a Firewood Display Niche
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Stack firewood in a tall wall niche to create storage that’s both practical and incredibly decorative.
Add a graphic framed print above your firebox to complete the look. This approach fills your fireplace wall beautifully without blocking views or overwhelming the space, giving you function and style in one smart design move.
06. Make Your Chimney a Statement
Credit: Urbanology Designs/ Matti Gresham Photography
Painting your chimney wall black creates dramatic contrast that highlights your room’s architectural features beautifully.
This bold choice draws the eye upward and emphasizes unique ceiling lines like pitched roofs. Mix black with white and natural wood tones to create a contemporary fireplace that seamlessly integrates into your modern living space with sophisticated style.
07. Cover Your Fireplace in Bold Tile
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byReid Rolls
A graphic patterned tile fireplace becomes an unforgettable focal point that anchors your entire room design.
This bold choice pairs beautifully with dark wood beams, leather furniture, and velvet accents. Don’t be afraid to go dramatic with your tile selection—it adds personality and creates a striking conversation piece that guests will remember.
08. Blend Historic Charm With Modern Style
Credit: Design byEmilie Fournet Interiors/ Photo by Caitlin Mogridge
You can make a non-working original fireplace stand out by painting it in a bold color like royal blue.
Build modern closets seamlessly around it to create functional storage while preserving character. Even without actual fire, this creates a natural focal point that adds warmth and architectural interest to your bedroom design.
09. Balance Rustic Stone With Sleek Glass
Credit: Design byJLF ArchitectsandNatasha Wallis Interior Design/ Photo byLucy Call
Contrast floor-to-ceiling windows with an artisanal stacked stone fireplace wall for breathtaking visual impact.
Add a reclaimed wood mantel to enhance the rustic character. Top it with artwork from your personal collection and a colorful rug to bring warmth and personality to your primary bedroom, creating the perfect blend of natural and refined.
10. Add Patterned Tile as an Accent
Credit: Design byJudith Balis Interiors/ Photo byAllison Corona
A black-and-white patterned tile surround enhances neutral decor while adding subtle visual interest to your fireplace.
Paint a chunky mantel black for modern contrast, then add symmetrical built-ins with matching lamps. Hang tall mirrors on either side to reflect light and make your space feel larger and more open.
11. Display Collections on Open Shelves
Credit: Louis Duncan-He Designs/Eymeric Wilding Photography
Transform your fireplace wall into a stunning display area with open shelving that showcases your favorite collections.
Keep the fireplace itself simple and white so your displayed items become the stars. Layer vintage mirrors with art on your mantel to add depth and personality while maintaining a clean, organized aesthetic throughout.
12. Design a Custom 3D Fireplace Wall
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byReid Rolls
Create a custom fireplace wall with dimensional texture finished in concrete for an ultra-modern look you’ll love.
This architectural approach adds sculptural interest to your living room. Fill your off-season firebox with oversized pottery vessels to keep the space feeling intentional and styled even when you’re not using the fireplace for warmth.
13. Layer Warm Metallic Accents
Credit: Kasey Fitzgerald Design/ Photo byAllison Corona
Add warmth to a classic white and marble fireplace by layering vintage-style mirrors and candlesticks in gold tones.
These metallic accents create beautiful contrast against cool white surfaces. Mix in artwork and decorative objects in similar warm finishes to create a cohesive, elegant mantel display that feels collected and sophisticated.
14. Update Built-Ins With Wallpaper
Credit: Design byCaroline Andréoni Interior Design/ Photo by Sophie Lloyd
Give your classic fireplace wall a fresh update using moody blue and black tones that create dramatic sophistication.
Hang a smaller mirror than traditional to put a modern spin on classic style. This approach works beautifully in French-inspired interiors where you want to honor tradition while adding your own contemporary twist to the design.
15. Include Staggered Plant Ledges
Credit: Louis Duncan-He Designs/Eymeric Wilding Photography
Install small staggered ledges on either side of your stacked stone fireplace to display trailing plants beautifully.
This midcentury modern-inspired approach adds organic softness to mineral surfaces. The greenery creates a living element that brings life and movement to your fireplace wall, extending from floor to ceiling for maximum impact.
16. Incorporate Vintage Swedish Charm
Credit: Fantastic Frank
A classic Swedish tiled wood-burning stove adds both function and timeless decorative appeal to your corner space.
This antique-style piece transcends trends beautifully in neutral modern rooms. The traditional design brings warmth and character that feels authentic and collected, creating a focal point that works with any evolving decor style you choose.
17. Work With Brown Color Palettes
Credit: Design byTyler Karu Design and Interiors/ Photo by Erin Little
Cover your Spanish Colonial fireplace with glossy cinnamon-colored hexagonal tiles that tie into earthy brown finishes throughout your room.
This warm color choice creates cohesion with vintage accents and natural materials. The rich brown tones add depth and sophistication while maintaining a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere in your living space.
18. Break Up Stone With Bold Color
Credit: Design byJLF ArchitectsandNatasha Wallis Interior Design/ Photo byAudrey Hall
Hang a large-scale painting with primary colors above your fireplace to break up expanses of stone and wood.
This striking approach adds vibrant energy to vaulted spaces. The colorful artwork becomes a focal point that draws the eye upward, creating visual interest and preventing your fireplace area from feeling too heavy or monotone.
19. Create Your Own Log Holder
Credit: Ursula Carmona ofHome Made By Carmona
Style your white brick fireplace with a DIY log holder and an assortment of candles for cozy vibes year-round.
This simple approach keeps your fireplace looking intentional even when not in use. The combination of stacked wood and flickering candles creates warmth and ambiance that makes your space feel inviting in every season.
20. Add Whimsical Hand-Drawn Art
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo byErin Kelly
Try a playful penciled line drawing above your fireplace to add an unexpected homemade touch to your living room.
This artistic approach brings personality and whimsy to well-appointed neutral spaces. The hand-drawn element creates a surprising contrast with polished furnishings, adding character that feels personal and unique to your home.
21. Hang Oversized Photography
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Styling by Hilary Robertson / Photo by Erin Kelly
Decorate your blush pink wall with large-scale photography that captures movement and energy above a curvy white mantel.
This approach works beautifully in kids’ rooms where you want art that inspires. Leave the mantel itself free for displaying changing collections of favorite objects and treasures that evolve with your child’s interests.
22. Display Monochrome Landscape Photos
Credit: Envi Interior Design/ Photo byAudrey Hall
Transform your modern chalet with a large black-and-white photograph depicting local snowy landscapes above your fireplace.
Add built-in recessed firewood storage for functionality. Include contemporary sculptures by local artists to add texture and support regional talent, creating a fireplace area that celebrates your surroundings while maintaining clean, modern aesthetics.
23. Go All-In on Floral Details
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byAlexandra Ribar
Layer multiple floral elements around your dining room fireplace for a romantic, garden-inspired look you’ll adore.
Combine carved floral surrounds with patterned tile, ornate mirrors with vine details, and large-scale floral wallpaper. Add fresh flowers on your mantel to complete this lush, layered approach that brings nature indoors beautifully.
24. Make Your Fireplace Disappear
Credit: Design byCaroline Andréoni Interior Design/ Photo by Sophie Lloyd
Paint your classic French fireplace the same matte black as your walls and ceiling to create an enveloping, moody atmosphere.
This sophisticated approach makes the fireplace nearly disappear into the room’s overall design. Instead of standing out as a focal point, it becomes part of a cohesive, dramatic environment that feels incredibly chic.
25. Apply Concrete Skim Coating
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byAmy Neunsinger
Enhance your rustic brick fireplace with a gray concrete skim coat that gives it an artisanal, handmade feel.
This technique works beautifully in vintage hunting cabins and historic homes. Fill fireplace niches with decorative busts or sculptures to add eclectic personality and create unexpected visual interest that sparks conversation.
26. Install a Sleek Glass-Front Insert
Credit: Design byAtelier Davis/ Photo by Heidi Harris
Choose a modern glass-front fireplace with a flat charcoal gray chimney wall for clean, contemporary style.
Add matching joinery around the insert and a sculptural metallic wall accent. This streamlined approach creates a fireplace that feels more like a piece of modern art than a traditional heating element in your space.
27. Select Unique Vintage Accessories
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Add a colorful framed painting above your mantel and a blackened antique metal screen in front of your vintage fireplace.
These one-of-a-kind pieces create originality and character. They complement architectural details like stained glass windows beautifully, helping your fireplace area feel authentic and collected rather than overly coordinated or staged.
28. Paint Your Kitchen Fireplace Wall
Credit: deVOL Kitchens
Transform a simple kitchen firebox with a wood-burning stove and paint the chimney wall in cotton candy pink.
Pair this dreamy color with vintage art, antique chandeliers, and colorful tile backsplashes. Add gold accents throughout to create an eccentric, charming space that feels joyful and completely unique to your personal style.
29. Choose Nature-Inspired Sculptures
Credit: WRJ Design/ Photo byTuck Fauntleroy
Top your massive gray granite fireplace with a chunky wood mantel and bronze wildlife sculpture for rustic modern style.
Continue the nature theme throughout your room with cowhide rugs and animal portraits. This approach works beautifully in mountain homes where you want to celebrate the surrounding landscape and local wildlife in your decor.
30. Display a Topiary Trio
Credit: AHG Interiors
Arrange three topiaries on your living room mantel to add sculptural interest and a touch of greenery.
Pair them with a landscape painting that adds earthy color and visual depth. This classic styling approach brings life to your fireplace while maintaining an elegant, refined aesthetic that works in traditional and transitional spaces.
31. Add Cobalt Blue Accents
Credit: Design byEmilie Fournet Interiors/ Photo by Kasia Fiszer
Hang a simple round mirror over your classic marble fireplace and decorate the mantel with colored glass in striking cobalt blue.
This bold accent color adds contrast to warm gray walls beautifully. The blue complements gold-toned accents and modern furniture throughout your room, creating a collected look that mixes old and new effortlessly.
32. Reflect Your Local Landscape
Credit: WRJ Design/ Photo byTuck Fauntleroy
Hang artwork above your rustic reclaimed wood mantel that depicts local architectural features like regional barns.
This approach connects your interior to your surroundings meaningfully. Choose paintings or photography that celebrate the character and history of your area, creating a fireplace display that feels rooted in place and tells a story.
33. Keep Corner Fireplaces Simple
Credit: Austin Gray Design Group/ Photo byLara Kimmerer
If your fireplace isn’t your room’s main focal point, feel free to keep the styling minimal and understated.
Leave the wall above your corner fireplace blank in bedroom suites to keep attention on other design elements. This approach works when you have statement wallpaper or painted walls that deserve to be the star of your space.
34. Highlight Curved Architecture
Credit: Photo byLara Kimmerer
A cylindrical fireplace on a curved wall clad in matching tile adds quiet architectural drama to spacious living rooms.
This sculptural approach highlights unique structural elements beautifully. The curved design creates a sophisticated focal point that anchors conversation areas perfectly, ideal for entertaining and intimate gatherings by the fire.
35. Build a Monumental Stone Feature
Credit: Design byMaestri Studio/ Photo by Nathan Schroder
Create an authentic midcentury modern feel with a monumental stone wall fireplace paired with vintage furniture and decor.
This retro approach looks like it’s been part of your home forever. The stone adds natural texture and timeless appeal that anchors your entire room, creating a foundation for collected vintage pieces throughout the space.
36. Install a Vintage Metal Insert
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byTessa Neustadt
Add a vintage metal wood-burning fireplace inside your rustic stone fireplace for practicality and retro charm.
This combination works beautifully in historic cabins where you want to preserve original character. The metal insert adds functionality while maintaining the authentic, whitewashed rustic chic aesthetic that makes older homes so appealing and full of soul.
37. Try Horizontal Herringbone Tile
Credit: Ashley Montgomery Design
Line your white painted brick fireplace interior with black herringbone tile laid in a horizontal pattern for subtle variation.
This approach adds visual interest while maintaining a neutral palette. Top it with a chunky raw wood mantel and muted landscape painting to bring warmth and organic texture to your fireplace area.
38. Celebrate Original Exposed Brick
Credit: Design byEmilie Fournet Interiors/ Photo by Kasia Fizser
If your fireplace isn’t functional, treat it as the decorative focal point it deserves to be in your space.
Original exposed brick lends authenticity and history that you can’t replicate. Preserve and celebrate these architectural details—they add character and a sense of story to your home that new construction simply cannot match.
39. Draw Eyes Upward With Art
Credit: Design byCurated Nest Interiors/Jacob Snavely Photography
Hang a series of identically framed pictures above your fireplace to draw attention to showstopping high ceilings.
This vertical arrangement creates upward movement that emphasizes your room’s impressive height. Choose a cohesive theme like sailboat images to create visual unity while filling the wall space above your mantel beautifully and intentionally.
40. Let Historic Materials Speak
Credit: Home Consultant
A monumental original brick fireplace wall in a historic adobe home sets the tone for your entire room effortlessly.
Pair it with wide plank wood floors and dark ceiling beams for authentic warmth. These original materials have such presence and character that they need minimal additional decoration to make a powerful statement.
41. Layer Neutral Textures
Credit: Finding Lovely
Add a patterned tile surround in a subtle flower motif to refresh your bedroom fireplace while maintaining a light neutral palette.
Stick with whites and beige tones throughout for cohesion. Layer a decorative mirror, artwork, and objects on your mantel to create a finished, collected look that feels intentional and complete without overwhelming the space.
42. Incorporate Gilded Accents
Credit: Design byLeanne Ford Interiors/ Photo byErin Kelly
Hang an ornate gilded mirror on your minimalist all-white fireplace to add unexpected glamour and visual interest.
Place a shiny bronze antique fan screen in front to enhance the luxe feel. These gold accents create beautiful contrast against pure white surfaces, adding warmth and sophistication to your living room design.
43. Soften Brick With White Paint
Credit: Design byCathie Hong Interiors/ Photo byMargaret Austin Photo
Paint your midcentury modern brick fireplace in soft white for a clean, textured look that doesn’t dominate your space.
Create a cozy conversation area with a pair of armchairs and a vintage floor lamp nearby. This approach works when your fireplace isn’t the main focal point but still deserves to look intentional and well-styled.
44. Fill Non-Working Fireboxes With Plants
Credit: Design bySarah & Sons Interiors/ Photo bySarah Szwajkos
Paint your non-working original fireplace the same color as your walls to create seamless, cohesive flow throughout the room.
Place a leafy green plant in the empty firebox to add life and obscure the unused space. This simple solution keeps your fireplace looking intentional while acknowledging it’s purely decorative in your home.
45. Add a Freestanding Wood Stove
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Install a handsome black wood-burning stove on your side wall to add warmth while blending seamlessly with modern furnishings.
This practical approach provides actual heat without overwhelming your clean, contemporary design. The freestanding stove becomes a functional focal point that complements rather than competes with your room’s minimalist aesthetic beautifully.
46. Apply Textured Color Finishes
Credit: Louis Duncan-He Designs/ Photo byGenevieve Renee
Design a custom gas fireplace with built-ins on either side and finish the wall in textured green for presence and originality.
Layer colorful landscape photography on top to complete the look. The textured finish gives your fireplace wall dimension and character that flat paint simply cannot achieve, creating a truly custom focal point.
47. Lean an Arched Mirror
Credit: Urbanology Designs/ Matti Gresham Photography
Add a tall arched mirror with a slim frame above your gray fireplace to bring the eye upward in high-ceilinged rooms.
This simple styling choice reflects light and views beautifully. The vertical lines of an arched mirror emphasize ceiling height while adding elegant architectural interest to your neutral-toned living room without overwhelming the space.
48. Display Vibrant Bird Art
Credit: Design byKibler & Kirch/Gibeon Photography
Add touches of bold yellow throughout your home, including a vibrant bird painting over your green tile fireplace mantel.
This Arts and Crafts touch adds personality to contemporary spaces. The colorful artwork creates a cheerful focal point that energizes your great room while complementing the architectural tile details around your firebox beautifully.
49. Hide Your TV With Art
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If you must hang a TV over your fireplace, invest in a Frame TV that displays art when not in use.
This smart solution eliminates the black screen that mars your room decor. Fill the display with beautiful photography or artwork that complements your style, so your fireplace wall always looks intentional and finished.
50. Choose Dramatic Veined Marble
Credit: Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Tessa Neustadt
A veined black marble fireplace creates a dramatic focal point in Art Deco-inspired bedrooms that commands attention.
Add a gallery wall of black-and-white sketches in identical white frames above the mantel. Arrange them in neat rows for a modern graphic touch that complements the marble’s natural drama and sophistication perfectly.
51. Stain Wood Mantels Dark
Credit: Design byKibler & Kirch/ Photo byLucy Call
Choose a rich dark wood stain for your fireplace mantel to create presence that pops against contrasting white walls.
Customize your display with handmade mirrors crafted from salvaged materials and regional artwork. Add antique books and wooden sculptures that nod to local history, creating a mantel arrangement that tells a meaningful story.
52. Update Tudor Fireplaces
Credit: Design byBrexton Cole Interiors
Give your 1920s Tudor fireplace a fresh look with matte black paint and black-and-white star-patterned tile.
Add a trio of art and objects on the mantel that juxtapose old and new with intentional kitsch. This refresh honors your home’s vintage character while bringing it into the present with contemporary styling choices.
53. Make Fireplaces Kid-Safe
Credit: Design byCurated Nest Interiors/Jacob Snavely Photography
Transform non-working fireplaces in kids’ bedrooms into purely decorative focal points with gold-toned mirrors and plants.
Place a fluffy sheepskin in front for cozy vibes without fire hazards. This approach gives you all the charm and architectural interest of a fireplace while keeping safety as your top priority in children’s spaces.
54. Layer Framed Artwork
Credit: Erin Williamson Design
Stack framed artwork with small sculptures on your squat midcentury modern fireplace to create visual interest when the fire is out.
This layered approach distracts from wall-mounted TVs and gives eyes something beautiful to focus on. The collected arrangement fills your fireplace area with personality and makes it feel intentional year-round.
55. Anchor Rooms With Black Paint
Credit: Laquita Tate Interior Styling + Design
Paint your tall brick fireplace in matte charcoal black to anchor spacious, light-flooded living rooms with dramatic contrast.
This bold choice creates a striking focal point that grounds your space. The dark finish provides the perfect backdrop for touches of green and gold throughout your room, creating sophisticated balance and visual impact.
56. Whitewash Brick for Texture
Credit: Jessica Nelson Design/Carina Skrobecki Photography
A whitewashed brick fireplace adds beautiful texture while suiting muted tones and modern farmhouse style vibes perfectly.
Add a chunky pale wood mantel and floating shelves to enhance the rustic feel. This treatment softens brick’s visual weight while preserving its character, creating an airy family room that feels relaxed and welcoming.
57. Add Contemporary Bronze Fixtures
Credit: Folding Chair Design Co./ Photo by Jenn Verrier
Install a streamlined marble surround with modern bronze wall sconces and a wavy round mirror for contemporary sophistication.
These carefully chosen pieces add modern flair to your airy living room. The combination of sleek marble and artistic bronze creates a fireplace area that feels current and stylish without trying too hard.
Final Thoughts
Your fireplace has incredible potential to become the most beautiful focal point in your home with the right styling approach.
Whether you love bold patterns, rustic textures, or sleek modern lines, there’s a fireplace design that perfectly matches your personal style and lifestyle needs.
Start with one idea that speaks to you, and don’t be afraid to experiment until your fireplace feels like the warm, welcoming heart of your space.
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