Fireplace Ideas — 19 Elegant Ways to Design a Striking Surround

There is perhaps no architectural feature in the home that elicits that cozy feeling quite like a fireplace. Not only do they literally warm the space, but today most fireplace ideas are also about creating an inviting ambience, a place to relax, and, of course, a stylish statement in the room.

“Fireplaces can activate our sense of touch, scent, sound, and sight, while creating a calming and cozy atmosphere,” says Emily Brown, the principal designer of Emily Lauren Interiors. The Stylesmiths’ designer David Puckering agrees, adding: “When lit, a fireplace adds warmth (literally and metaphorically), and when unlit it forms part of the overall design and becomes a more sculptural piece.”

As a living room idea, fireplaces are considered to be highly aspirational, elevating any interior style and space. And they can be incredibly personalized too, whether it’s the style of surround, its mantel, hearth or what you choose to fill it with. If you’re considering adding a fireplace to your home, or are looking for ways to modernize or redecorate the one you already have, we’ve found 19 fireplace ideas that should, hopefully, spark some inspiration in you.

1. A Stone Fireplace

Stone fireplaces can come in all different shapes and forms, whether that's a stacked stone feature wall (like in the living space shown above), sleek and smooth slabs, ornate carved sandstone or something a little more rustic and contained.

It's a great way to introduce some natural texture into your space, and give the room a really strong and grounded feeling. With so many different types of stone to choose from, the options in terms of colors and finishes are infinite and can work with a range of different interior styles.

2. A Corner Fireplace

Corner fireplaces that tuck neatly into an underused space are perfect for smaller rooms. They add all the warmth and coziness of a larger fireplace and can be a statement focal point of a room too.

Despite often having a small footprint they are more unique in design, with two or more sides open into the room. This unusual shape means you can get creative with materials, and create something that's far from the traditional fireplace.

Case in point the concrete corner design shown above that works so well with the industrial rustic aesthetic of the room. You can also find very sleek glass designs which looks almost to be suspending in the wall and totally open styles which would suit a minimalist space.

3. A Tiled Fireplace

When it comes to imaginative fireplace tile ideas, there are endless options out there. Not only does that include your choice of tile — perhaps a textured zellige (the tiles above look similar to these ones from Wayfair), a classic subway tile, or a patterned style — but also the way you choose to lay it, and how much you choose to tile. Some opt for making a statement by just tiling the inside of the fireplace, with others make a whole feature by tiling the entire chimney breast.

A tiled fireplace is become increasingly popular, adding an unexpected texture and offering a sleeker, more versatile alternative to the more traditional brick chimney breast. Plus, there are relatively quick ways to update a tiled fireplace facade and completely change its look.

4. An Indoor-Outdoor Fireplace

If you're lucky enough to have the space and layout that can afford you one, an indoor-outdoor fireplace has got to be the epitome of luxury. As we all continue to seek new ways to bring more of the outdoors into our homes, an indoor fireplace that connects through to the outdoors not only offers another view to the outside, but sets up the start of an outdoor living room too.

When it comes to fireplace ideas, you can choose to mirror the style both on the inside or out, or go for something different on either side. The choice is yours.

5. A Double-Sided Fireplace

In a similar vein, double-sided fireplaces not only adds a striking centerpiece to a space, but is the perfect addition to an open-plan living space, offering warmth to the entire room but also acting as a partial divider between the two spaces.

The design is more common in contemporary spaces filled with clean lines and modern materials like glass and concrete, but they can also sit in homes of any style and era, as the Victorian apartment shown above proves.

6. A Floating Fireplace with Built-In Seating

Fireplace designs can also be cleverly used to create more seating in a living space, as shown in the room above by US-based Studio Gild. The result is sleek and sophisticated, but has an element of coziness, by welcoming guests to take a seat.

"This apartment has this one-of-a-kind open plan, with very few columns and structural walls," explains the firm's design team. "We tried to enhance this atmosphere of freedom and avoid visual obstacles such as a conventional fireplace. Since it's floating, the flooring can continue, creating the perception of fluidity, and the built-in seat creates a gathering point, perfect for reaching, talking and relaxing."

7. A Raised Fireplace

The beautifully simple fireplace shown above would be perfect for a more minimalist space. Traditionally, you find fireplaces at floor level but by raising it up off the ground you can actually be more flexible with where you can install a fire.

In this small bedroom, having a fire lower down wouldn't work as there's not enough space and it would barely be seen amongst the furniture. Raise it up a few inches and it becomes a focal point of the room.

8. A Curved Fireplace

Commonly associated with a Spanish style of architecture, a curved or arched fireplace is another way to create a design-forward feature in a space (as seen in the living room above by designer Brittny Button of Button Atelier.

Sometimes styled with a simple floating shelf as the mantel, the traditional stucco finish creates a minimalist aesthetic that could easily work in a range of more modern interiors.

9. A Marble Fireplace

While marble has long been a traditional choice for fireplace surrounds, with so many different natural variations in the stone, it's easy to keep things classic or make a big statement in your space; safe to say it's a fireplace trend that isn't going anywhere fast.

Marble fireplaces have remained a popular choice thanks to the stones natural fire-resistance, durability, and timeless sophistication, and it's easy to see why the team at Wolfe Interior Design chose this striking black and white veined marble for the living room shown above.

10. A Colored Marble Fireplace

Marble naturally also comes in a range of other colors, and this burgundy-toned fireplace packs a punch, adding extra warmth to the space thanks to its dark red and brown tones.

"The red marble is just beautiful and the family loved getting together in front of the fireplace, so it was a no brainer to pick it as the centerpiece for this renovation," says Australian architect Alexandra Ansari of the polished Rosso Lepanto stone.

11. A Fireplace Feature Wall

A fireplace in the centre of a room creates an opportunity to not only make a statement of the fireplace itself, but with the wall surrounding it. A fluted style of wall paneling wraps around the fireplace in the space above (by Calgary interior design firm Reena Sotropa In House Design Group), does exactly that, while also creating an optical illusion that helps make the room feel bigger.

"We added the fluted millwork detail that wrapped both sides of the fireplace [that opens through to the kitchen behind]," explains principal designer Reena Sotropa. "This provided a subtle texture that allowed us to completely obscure the location of the pantry doors, minimizing the visual clutter on this elevation and creating the perfect accent against the dramatic fireplace stone — one of our favourite marbles, Pietra Grey."

12. A Brick Fireplace

A brick fireplace is an enduring classic, and it's not going anywhere soon. It's a fireplace idea that's particularly popular in modern farmhouse-style interiors, as well as those leaning into a rustic-chic aesthetic.

There is something innately cozy about bricks — perhaps its the warmth of their color — and they are highly durable and great at insulating, making them a natural choice for a fireplace. The living room above makes a particular feature of the red bricks by drenching the rest of the space in a crisp white (we'd recommend Farrow & Ball's 'All White' paint shade) to offset its tones.

13. A Painted Fireplace

There's nothing quite like a fresh lick of paint, and this extends to some of the best fireplace ideas. There are endless color options out there, although Malak Bellajdel, an interior design expert at Interior Moderna, suggests going for something bold for maximum impact.

"If you want a quick update, painting is almost always your best bet," she says. "Bold, deep, darker colors are popular in modern homes at the moment."

Paint is also a really easy update for a fireplace and can cover a multitude of sins if you have inherited something that doesn't quite work with your style. (We've covered how to paint a brick fireplace previously, if you're interested.)

14. An Off-Center Fireplace

While fireplaces are generally positioned in the center of the wall as to ensure a space feels balanced and symmetrical, a increasingly popular fireplace idea that creates instant interest in the space is to position it off-centre.

The key to making this still feel balanced and harmonious in a space is to balance the fireplace with another decorative element in the room. In the living room above, by Breathe Design Studio, a large potted plant balances the fireplace, while the mismatched seating mirrors the look in the space.

15. An Ornate Fireplace

While, of course, there are plenty of fireplace mantel ideas out there, the mantel itself can be a great opportunity for making a statement with your fireplace. Take this ornate, almost gothic-style fireplace mantel that has been drenched in a deep, inky paint color, for example.

It's incredibly detailed and brings a certain elegance and embellishment to the space, which has been cleverly toned down with the monochrome color palette that honors the traditional details while giving the fireplace a contemporary update.

16. A Disused Fireplace Styled With Decor

Styling something like flowers, candles or books is an incredibly easy fireplace idea that can save you from staring into the dusty abyss of an empty grate. You often see old fireplaces filled with logs, but a more elegant alternative is to bring in greenery or disguise the unsightly hole with a beautiful vase of dried flowers or faux branches (Walmart has a great and affordable range) as can be seen in this blue living room. It doesn't distract from the beautiful surround or the mantel decor going on above but it does add some wonderful texture and is just as pretty as a roaring fire.

17. A Wood Burner Fireplace

If you're one of those people who gets easily drawn into the beauty of a real fire, there are plenty of wood burner ideas that could work in your home, whether it's a rustic cottage or a contemporary house.

Wood burners may take longer to get started and heat up, but once they're roaring, they're far more efficient and budget-friendly to run, and there are a number of styles available now to ensure you'll find something that works for you.

18. A Fireplace With Built-In Log Storage

Logs don't just add a rustic texture to your room, but incorporating some clever firewood storage ideas into your fireplace design is a practical move too. While a log basket or storage rack works well, for a sleeker look you can build a shelf into your fireplace design, making it a focal point, mirroring the dimensions of the fireplace so the overall look is sleek and symmetrical.

19. A Low-Profile Fireplace

In a more contemporary home, clutter-free fireplace designs that sit low to the ground and often stretch horizontally along the main wall are best suited if you want to maintain a minimalist aesthetic. However, lack of ornate carving doesn't mean these designs lack interest, instead, that decorative element comes with the texture of the materials used. Natural materials like stone and marble are not only practical choices (they are incredibly heated resistant and hard-wearing) but they add depth, subtle colors, and textures to a room.

FAQs

What is in style for fireplaces?

Interior designer Malak Bellajdel says that sleek, linear fireplaces are quite popular in modern interiors right now, as well as two-sided fireplaces that both help to divide open-plan spaces, while also keeping things open and airy.

"Surprisingly though, classic brick fireplaces are also becoming popular again, especially in farmhouse or rustic-chic kind of homes," she adds.

How can I make my fireplace interesting?

If you're looking for fireplace ideas that feel a bit more interesting, Malak recommends playing around with texture. "Instead of the usual tile, try a herringbone brick pattern or some sleek stone," she says. "It can completely change the whole look."

She also recommends going bold with your choice of color; "a dark charcoal or moody olive green will make your fireplace pop and set the mood for the room," she says.

Lastly, and perhaps more unexpected, Malak says lighting is a quick way to make your fireplace ideas more interesting. "Some well placed sconces or hidden LED strips can easily create an amazing glow that shows off your stunning fireplace and its best features."

How do you modernize an existing fireplace?

As with most things in our home, you'd be pleasantly surprised to discover what a fresh coat of paint can do, even to old and dated looking fireplaces. "Going for something dramatic like a dark charcoal will instantly modernize your fireplace," says Malak.

Another option would be to reface your fireplace with some large format tiles, or to do a concrete overlay, suggests Malak. "Even just swapping out the hardware or putting a new mantel can make a big difference and give your fireplace a new lease on life," she adds.

How do you choose the right fireplace for your space?

There are few questions you need to ask yourself in order to determine what fireplace idea is right for your home, according to Malak.

• How big is your space? — If you're looking for small living room fireplace ideas, you might want to go for a corner fireplace, says Malak. "For bigger spaces, a statement fireplace as a focal point works beautifully."
• Why do you want a fireplace? — "If you care more about ambiance than actual heating, then a bioethanol fireplace could be the right choice for you," she adds.
• What is your budget? — "Wood-burning fireplaces are usually much more affordable upfront, but need more maintenance," she says.
• What style would work for your home? — "Your fireplace should complement your home's overall look," she says. "A very modern fireplace could look out of place in a cozy cottage."