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31 Beautifully Tiled Fireplaces

By

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

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and

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger is a personality assessment expert based in Kansas City, Missouri, with more than five years of experience. Her areas of expertise include Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram. She is the author of the book "Being Whole" and dozens of articles on personality assessments and relationships.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/09/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

A fireplace is supposed to be an attractive focal point, but if yours is grabbing attention for all the wrong reasons, consider giving it a face-lift with beautiful tile. There are plenty of stylish options available that will transform a sad fire surround into a feature you will adore. Are you game? These 31 ideas will inspire you to create a hearthside worthy of cozying up to year-round.

15 Fireplace Design Ideas for Room Warming Style

25 Stunning Fireplace Tile Ideas to Inspire Your Space

Sarah Fultz Interiors

No matter what room your fireplace occupies, one thing remains: your hearth will always be the heart of that room. A focal point for your space, the fireplace should be treated less as just a source of heat and more as a tool to bring the cool factor to your home. And speaking of cool, tile of all finishes, prints, and materials are our current chimney-covering of choice.

While tile can be seen as a strictly utilitarian addition to wet spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, that doesn't mean it can't also be a gorgeous design complement to your fireplace. Ceramic or glass tiles can add a beautiful shine we're not used to seeing outside of a kitchen backsplash, making for an unexpected but beautiful addition to any living room or bedroom.

Whether you're looking to update an original chimney structure or add a classic hearth to your contemporary build, here are 25 stunning fireplace tile ideas to inspire your space.

01 of 25

Photo: Amy Bartlam

If you're working with an outdated hearth, a couple of simple updates will modernize its look. This white-on-white subway tile facade, paired with glass fireplace doors feels fresh and looks right at home in this contemporary space.

02 of 25

Courtesy of Pulp Design Studios

If you're tired of looking at the soot-stained interior of your chimney (and no chimney sweep in the world can get it to look somewhat tidy), consider tiling the inside of your fireplace. Just be sure to opt for fire-safe tiles such as stone or ceramic.

03 of 25

Courtesy of Charbonneau Interiors

If you're lucky enough to have high ceilings, why cut the potential of your fireplace short? (we mean this literally and figuratively). Instead, elongate the structure using a floor-to-ceiling tile installation to make your room look taller and more modern.

04 of 25

@devon_grace_interiors

Rather than install tiles in a been-there horizontal direction, turn them at a 45-degree angle to create a zig-zag pattern, also known as chevron. A chevron-pattern tile framing your minimalistic fireplace makes an original chimney look modern, especially in this mix of steel, silver, and dark gray tones.

05 of 25

Courtesy of Chelius House Of Design

A simple patterned tile place along the foot of your heart is just the touch of style your fireplace is missing. This star print tile placed on the step-up of this fireplace brilliantly ties this coastal décor together and ties in shades of blue and white fabulously.

26 Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like a Modern Coastal Paradise

06 of 25

DESIGN: MINDY GAYER DESIGN CO., PHOTO: VANESSA LENTINE

In this living room, the pearlescent ceramic tiles add a beautiful shine that contrasts the matte blue built-ins perfectly. Furthermore, the way it ties in soft, sandy shades of taupe and beige without overshadowing the décor throughout the room is interior design at its best.

07 of 25

WHITTNEY PARKINSON DESIGN

If you're not thinking of your grout as an added design element, you're doing it all wrong. This gorgeous living room utilizes black chevron tile and white grout to create the look of a rug directly in front of the chimney. Creating contrast with grout truly makes this small area a true work of art.

08 of 25

DESIGN: KRISTIN GLANDON OF KG DESIGNS, PHOTO: EMILY KENNEDY

Oversized matte gray ceramic tiles with a subtle gradient are a dead ringer for concrete slabs. This minimalist fireplace brings a cool element to this rustic, traditional living room.

09 of 25

Photo: AMY BARTLAM

This earthy eclectic living room maintains integrity through the design of the modern-meets-traditional fireplace. The traditional tile print contrasted with a slab of marble at the foot of the fireplace is the best of both worlds.

10 of 25

REENA SOTROPA

If color is your thing, don't compromise your style for a tile composition. This royal blue subway tile feels right at home in this colorful retreat.

11 of 25

KATHERINE CARTER

When you start seeing your fireplace as an opportunity to create art, you'll turn heads in the best of ways. This head-turning design utilizes black and white marble tiles to create a basketweave pattern that's unique to this mantle.

12 of 25

REBECCA ROLLINS

If you like the look of white subway tile with black grout, but you're looking for something a bit more unique, consider the picket tile shape. Long and narrow, with pointed ends, this style is a new take on the classic shape.

13 of 25

TYLER KARU DESIGN

Though we typically see tile only over certain parts of the mantle, this fireplace features floor-to-ceiling subway tile in a pearlescent sheen. If you have a similar setup that allows for a full-wall tile job, you'd be surprised how much this glossy finish reflects light.

14 of 25

TYLER KARU DESIGN

If you're remodeling an older build, consider working around the home's most charming elements, like this vintage Spanish tile fireplace facade. The addition of shiplap and sea-inspired elements gives this living room a coastal feel, while still honoring the original tile.

15 of 25

REBECCA ROLLINS

If you're working with newer construction, that doesn't mean you can't insert the old-old world charm you crave via a Spanish-inspired recreation. This white with grayish-blue print is just the look you want to make your casita shine.

16 of 25

Design: Michelle Boudreau Design, Photo: Lane Dittoe

If you're working with a serene color palette of soft beiges and airy whites, and you prefer not to disrupt your zen with a loud tile, this high-shine beige tile with a subtle wood grain adds a bit of sparkle in a subtle way.

17 of 25

Michelle Berwick Design

Thanks to modern design technology, tile can come in all shapes, sizes, and prints. This oversized square tile boasts a faux lattice wood that would look perfect in a vineyard home or in a wine cellar.

18 of 25

Michelle Berwick Design

A delicate penny tile can surprisingly make quite the graphic impact. A white tile, paired with black grout looks modern on this sky-high black mantle, and looks right at home with bold art on the walls.

19 of 25

Sarah Fultz Interiors

If you love the look of a modern tile fireplace but refuse to bid adieu to your traditional mantle craftsmanship, this pairing is both sophisticated and luxe.

20 of 25

Becca Interiors

You don't need a working chimney to get the feel of a traditional fireplace in your home. This faux fireplace uses black tiles in a chevron pattern with white grout to create depth and make the opening look larger.

21 of 25

Brexton Cole Interiors

The classic black and white star print tile is surprisingly so versatile. While it has the ability to sway toward a vintage, Art Deco look, in this setting, it fits right in with eclectic decor.

22 of 25

White Sands Design/Build

Texture plays a major role in home design, as we all know, and when your fireplace is the focal point of your living room, playing with that design element is crucial.

23 of 25

Ashley Montgomery Design

While the thought of tile fireplaces may bring images of modern homes to mind, this tile chimney is proof you can enjoy the clean, stone look in other settings as well. This beige, ceramic tile boasts an old-world cottage feel in this luxury cabin.

24 of 25

Ashley Montgomery Design

If you're unsure of whether you fit better in a modern glass house or a rustic Tudor style suits you best, there's always a way to curb your in-between craving. This living room pairs a modern chevron tile in a steel color with the craftsmanship of a vintage mantle. The odd couple is both visually striking and unique.

25 of 25

Bespoke Only

Whether you're working with existing tiles that just need a little love, or you're sourcing old tiles for a new renovation, these vintage square tiles are proof that brand new isn't the only option. This pre-loved mantle and fireplace is beautiful in its original state.

These 23 Living Rooms Will Convince You That Yours Needs a Fireplace ASAP

Living room interior design with fireplace

The fireplace has long ceased to be just a heating device, it is part of the interior, and in pairs it is even the starting point when creating a living room design. The design of a living room with a fireplace can raise a number of questions: where to start, what to build on, which fireplace to choose? In this article, we have collected not only beautiful photos of the interiors of living rooms with a fireplace, but also tried to tell what kind of fireplaces are in style, finishing method, and by the very principle of operation. nine0003

Fireplace in the living room of a city apartment

In an apartment with central heating, the fireplace often plays a decorative role rather than a utilitarian one. At the same time, focusing attention on himself, he becomes a kind of center of attraction for the inhabitants of the house. Romantic mood, sincere atmosphere, warmth and comfort - this is what gives a bewitching dance of fire in the hearth.


Fireplace in the interior of the living room of a country house

As an element of the heating system, the fireplace will warm your living room, and will also become the most important decorative dominant of the interior. A classic wood-burning hearth is not only beauty and romance, but also a symbol of luxury, a kind of indicator of prestige, the high status of the owner of the house.

Living room fireplaces

Wood burning fireplaces

The classic hearth, in which firewood comfortably crackles, belongs to a country house, but not an apartment in the city, where open fire is prohibited by fire safety rules. The decision on its arrangement is made in advance - at the design stage of the building. The design of the fireplace has a considerable weight, because it includes a firebox with a decorative lining, as well as devices for extracting smoke and distributing air. nine0007




Gas fireplace

As the name suggests, the fireplace is fueled by natural gas. Gas is affordable and environmentally friendly when certain precautions are taken. That is why, with the permission of the gas services, such a fireplace can be installed in a city apartment. Products of combustion of fuel are easily removed by means of an extract.




Electric fireplace

Practical, unpretentious in use and safe electric fireplace will perfectly fit into the atmosphere of your home. Modern devices very talentedly imitate real fire. A fireplace from a few steps is indistinguishable from a wood-burning hearth, the volumetric illusion of flame, smoke, embers is so natural.




Biofireplace

Biofireplace is easy to operate and maintain and environmentally friendly. Ethanol vapors, burning in the furnace, create a magnificent decorative effect of a dancing flame, and also contribute to heating the room. nine0003

Raised fireplace

The arrangement of a “fake” fireplace is an interesting design technique that can transform an ordinary room, making it sparkle with new colors. A decorative fireplace will disguise a heating radiator or serve as a bookshelf. Still lifes of thick colored candles placed in the "furnace" look beautiful and interesting.




Types of fireplaces according to the place of installation

Wall fireplaces are located along the wall, most often in the center. The abundance of space around will allow you to stay at the hearth not only for your family, but also for a group of friends. nine0003

Corner fireplaces are just as popular as wall fireplaces. At the same time, this arrangement is usually chosen for small rooms in order to create coziness without cluttering up the space.


The hearth built into the wall is a variant of the wall location of the fireplace. In this case, the firebox and chimney are installed in a wall niche or a specially erected column. At the same time, the fireplace lining almost does not protrude from the wall, only outlining the contours of the structure.


Interior solutions

Classic style

The fireplace portal is made of natural materials - natural stone or wood. Its U-shape is distinguished by clear lines and concise forms. A minimum of decorative details and restrained rigor - this is what characterizes the ageless classic.


Hi-Teck

Clarity and straightforwardness are the main features of the modern Hi-Teck trend. The fireplace, like other furnishings, should be simple and functional. For the manufacture of the portal, glass, shiny metal, glass ceramics are usually used. The most common are suspended and built-in models. nine0003

Minimalism

A fireplace in a minimalist interior looks simple and strict. The style tends to neutral or pastel colors, geometrically perfect contours, even and smooth surfaces, straight lines. Practicality and functionality are the credo of minimalism.

Modern

Fireplace portals with smooth, flowing forms, curved surfaces, decorated with floral motifs, are made in the Art Nouveau style. Only natural materials are used for decoration - wood, marble, onyx, ceramics and others. Portals are usually painted in soothing colors - cream, sand, the color of natural wood and others. nine0007


Vanguard

Unusual and extremely original configurations are inherent in avant-garde fireplaces. Everything here is unusual and non-standard: the shape, the choice of materials, and the location. A fireplace in the form of a suspended pyramid, a polygonal prism, a submarine periscope - this is not a complete list of designers' ideas.

Contemporary style

In the interior of a city apartment, fireplaces of concise forms with a minimum of decoration look appropriate and organic. They are installed so as to leave as much free space as possible. Natural and artificial materials are widely used for cladding - metal and stone, durable plastic and composites, glass and ceramic tiles. nine0007


Oriental

Oriental motifs in the decoration of fireplaces look fresh and original. The portal, decorated with carvings, inlays, patterned paintings, looks bright and magnificent, attracting attention. In the decoration of fireplaces, tiles, stone and wood panels, as well as decorative plaster are most often used.

Fireplace finishes

Tiling is one of the most popular types of fireplace cladding. For this, tiles, majolica, sonorous clinker are used, which always looks aesthetically attractive and original. nine0003

Wood is a cozy, warm but flammable material. That is why it should only be used for decorative fireplaces or fixtures that create cold artificial flames.

Artificial stone is a real favorite in fireplaces. Both neoclassical portals made of smooth marbled tiles and fireplaces lined with wild stone in the style of a country or chalet look great.


Plaster is a practical, inexpensive, easy-to-use material. In addition, he "knows how" to imitate other textures, pretending to be either raw stone or smooth silk. Facing with plaster is beautiful and very affordable.

On our website you can not only find photo ideas for creating a living room with a fireplace, but also order a fireplace and interior design project at competitive prices, we will develop an individual solution for you!

*All photographs are taken from publicly available sources.
If you are the copyright holder of any photographic material, and you would not like this information to be distributed without your consent, we will be happy to assist you by removing the relevant material.

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Fireplace in the interior of a private house

A rare interior of a country house does without a fireplace. At the same time, today it no longer performs the original function of heating - there are modern heating systems for this, however, warmth, comfort and a homely atmosphere are associated precisely with the hearth and live fire. What options for the location and design of the fireplace in the interior of a country house are in trend today, we will figure it out in this article. nine0003

Project author: Julia Kryuchkova


Project author: Nina Prudnikova


Where to install

The traditional living room or dining room for a fireplace is a place where the whole family and guests gather, one might say, “for a fire”. There are options for placing a fireplace in the bedroom - this option is suitable for romantic persons who prefer to admire the fire without getting out of bed. Also, a fireplace can be made in the office - to create a special atmosphere for work. nine0003

Design: James Soane

Author of the project: Lyudmila Uzikova. The fireplace is decorated with a panel (Alex Turco) with a graphic pattern made with acrylic paints and filled with resin.

Author of the project: Pavel Burmakin. The front of the fireplace is made of Emperador Dark marble.

According to the installation method, fireplaces are divided into:

Authors of the project: Vladimir Petrov, Victor Ivanov

Project author: Alexandra Fedorova Bureau

Authors of the project: Tatyana Mironova, Ivan Mironov, Roman Gorbunov


Design: Mapos


Authors of the project: Ivan Mironov, Roman Gorbunov


Author of the project: Larisa Kurbanova

The location depends not only on the desire of the owner and the style of the room, but also on the technical characteristics and architectural features of the house. even at the repair stage, you need to think over the device of the chimney, the height of the chimney, the parameters of the firebox - professionals will help you determine the characteristics.

Types of fireplaces

Wood-burning

The main advantage of a wood-burning fireplace is the ability to watch the play of live fire. The device of such a fireplace implies the presence of a chimney - this moment must be foreseen before the construction of the house begins. Only professionals should be engaged in the design and installation of a fireplace in the interior of a private house: otherwise, during operation, smoke may enter the house, and not go outside. nine0003

You also need to provide a place for firewood, plus the delivery of the firewood itself to your home. Keep in mind that a wood-burning fireplace needs to be periodically cleaned of ash and soot.

Design: Skylab

Authors of the project: Natalia Smorgonskaya, Anna Belyaevskaya


Authors of the project: Irina Zavarina, Kirill Gusev


Authors of the project: Irina Zavarina, Kirill Gusev


Electric

One replacement for a wood burning fireplace is the electric model. Its installation is very simple, does not require special training, plus you can place an electric fireplace or even several in any room of the house. There are models that are built into the wall, which means they save space. Unlike a wood-burning hearth, the heat from an electric fireplace goes into the room - you will definitely be warm.

Bio fireplace

Another great alternative is the bio fireplace. It looks the same as electric models, but it works very differently. Ethanol alcohol is used as fuel, its combustion temperature is much lower than that of wood, so it is almost impossible to get burned by it. So, it is safer to use in homes where there are children and pets. It can also be built into the wall and decorated with a variety of finishes. nine0003

Finishing materials for a fireplace

It is important to think over the interior of a living room with a fireplace in a private house to the smallest detail: one of the elements that you should pay attention to is the finish of the chimney and the outside of the fireplace.

Tile

The first thing to consider when choosing a tile is its heat resistance. Just choose from the range of any you like will not work. It must be strong, at least 8 mm thick, otherwise it will crack on the first heating. The texture should be finely porous. nine0003

Terracotta tiles, majolica and tiles, porcelain stoneware and clinker tiles are suitable for facing the fireplace. The design of the living room in the house with a fireplace largely depends on the choice of texture and pattern of the finishing material. Majolica and tiles are more often used in traditional classic interiors, while porcelain stoneware is suitable for modern furnishings and high-tech style.

Authors of the project: architects Alexandra Fedorova, Polina Fedorova, Sergey Kalyuta

nine0003

Project authors: Natalia Lomeiko, Tatyana Trofimova


Natural stone

The interior of a living room with a fireplace in a private house often becomes central and thought out to the smallest detail. To make the atmosphere unique, it is enough to use natural stone for finishing the fireplace - it has an original pattern and shade. Among the advantages of natural stone over other materials:

Today, marble, travertine, limestone slabs are popular - this is the best choice of price and quality.

Project author: Tatyana Kononova

Authors of the project: Enjoy Home


Project author: architect Yuri Filatov. The wall behind the fireplace is finished with textured travertine. nine0003

Project author: Igor Sushkov

Design of a living room in a private house with a fireplace: popular styles

Classic style

The classic furnishings of the room include a light color palette in decoration, elegant furniture and an abundance of decor. A traditional fireplace with a large firebox and chimney lined with light clinker tiles, tiles or marble with soft veins will fit perfectly here. In a classic interior, a wide mantelpiece with photographs, vases and seasonal decor on it will look good. nine0003

Project author: Marina Gaskova

Authors of the project: Irina Mavrodieva, Artur Goga

Project author: Vera Gerasimova. The limestone portal fireplace is a copy of a 1607 fireplace from Cawdor Castle, Scotland.


Author of the project: Tatyana Tsivileva


Authors of the project: Maxim Rymar, Natalia Markova. The carved portal of the fireplace made of white marble is clearly visible against the background of a gray wall and surrounded by restrained dark furniture. nine0003

Authors of the project: Pavel Bogatyrev, Evgeniya Bogatyreva


Country

In an interior dominated by wood, fireplaces are more common, finished with rough stone, limestone. To create a rustic atmosphere, you can use multi-colored tiles and tiles - they will become a bright and original element in the interior. In a country-style living room, a firewood rack can also be made part of the decor: for example, lay logs on both sides of the firebox. nine0003

Project author: Yulia Denisova

Authors of the project: Dmitry Grigoriev, Daria Grigorieva


Photo: kitka. ca


Scandinavian style

Country house in the Scandinavian style is characterized by rather laconic finishes and furniture. In the decoration of the fireplace, you can use white and light gray glazed tiles. Or abandon the built-in fireplace with a chimney in favor of a wood-burning metal stove. Modern models look very stylish, are inexpensive and do not require serious installation work. nine0003

Photo: deardesigner.co.uk

Project authors: Thellend Fortin Architectes. A brutal fireplace sets the tone in the living room. The high chimney is hidden in a concrete block. The lower part of the structure is sheathed in metal.

Design: Emily Henderson


Modern style

If you decide to decorate your living room in a modern style, experimentation is welcome. You can combine several types of finishes: for example, combine a marble fireplace portal with wallpaper on the wall or veneer panels. And you can make the hearth almost invisible by sinking the chimney into the wall and painting it the same color as the rest of the surfaces. nine0003

Authors of the project: Vladimir Shorokhov, Ekaterina Benesh, Anna Petrova


Project author: Nina Prudnikova. For the living room of a house near Moscow, a fireplace with a metal portal was made. He became the compositional center of the room and emphasized the symmetry of this space.



Design: Mapos


Authors of the project: architectural bureau Alexandra Fedorova


Project author: Anna Sakharova


Project author: Ksenia Ivanova


Author of the project: Lyubov Deltsova


Hi-tech

Modern fireplaces in the interior of the living room and in the photo in the house look especially impressive. They are distinguished by non-standard shape and materials. How do you like, for example, a fireplace with an open firebox, floating in the air? Or a model with a transparent double-sided firebox, which you will not immediately notice in the interior? nine0003

In today's minimalist interiors, fireplaces are increasingly being integrated into the interior so that they are no longer the central element, but blend in seamlessly with the decor. At the same time, the options for finishing are amazing: marble of various shades, porcelain stoneware imitating stone, metal and concrete, glass, various types of plaster.

Project authors: Egle Prunskienė, Eva Prunskaitė


Project authors: BIGO

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Authors of the project: Mikhail Usov, Yaroslav Usov


Authors of the project: Bureau of Alexandra Fedorova


Authors of the project: Roman Leonidov, Elena Volgina


Authors of the project: architects Alexandra Fedorova, Polina Fedorova, Sergey Kalyuta.

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