Today I thought it would be so fun to look at some of the gorgeous fireplace trends that seem to be popping up absolutely everywhere.
I have been completely blown away by the huge surge in stunning designs all over Pinterest. They are back in a very big and gorgeous way!
1. Timeless Appeal
I’m sure you guys have noticed, but shiplap is having a major moment, and it’s just perfect for fireplace walls! As long as you stick to some simple safety guidelines, it’s totally safe to use. I think it’s such a fantastic choice for adding that little bit of texture, especially if you’re going for a farmhouse-inspired look.
You can wrap it all the way around the fireplace or just use it to cover the wall area above and around the hearth. While that whitewashed look is super popular right now, you can absolutely paint the wood any color you’re dreaming of.
Or, for a more weathered appearance, just leave it bare! I’m also seeing a ton of shiplap mantels in both contemporary and rustic designs, which is a trend I love. You can even pair a shiplap wall with a shiplap mantel for a really homey aesthetic.
My one little tip if you go this route, though, is to try using contrasting finishes for the fireplace wall and the mantelpiece to create some beautiful dimension.
2. Contemporary Elegance
Because of their clean-cut design, electric fireplaces just lend themselves to a fresh, contemporary feeling. I love the idea of complementing that sleekness with a simple, straightforward mantel and a no-frills backing wall. It’s such a chic look!
A long, linear fireplace is also a great way to warm up a central wall in your home without adding any physical bulk. You could mount your contemporary fireplace right into the drywall or even frame the whole unit with architectural tile.
Instead of a traditional wooden mantel, you could try a floating entertainment center. It’s a gorgeous combination. Also, don’t just think about matching decor to the fireplace’s exterior finish. So many electric fireplaces have beautiful materials like wood or stone inside.
Yours might also feature a built-in light that works independently of the flame, which adds another layer to think about!
3. Natural Stone Beauty
When you’re working with a stone fireplace wall, the first thing to figure out is if the stone veneer is going to be your neutral or your accent. This decision is less about the stone itself and more about the rest of the decor in the room.
For instance, most marble fireplace tile ideas would be a big accent in a minimalist, all-white room. But that very same stone could feel totally neutral in a space that’s already full of vibrant design elements. A great tip is to look at the coloring in your fireplace wall when you’re picking out decor.
Most natural stone has so much beautiful variation, and you can really use those different shades to your advantage when you’re trying to narrow down a color palette.
I find that simple is usually best. An ornate mantel loaded with decor can just weigh down your stone wall and its natural beauty. It’s better to stick with the essentials, like a wall-mounted TV or a great mirror, and leave plenty of space for that gorgeous stone to breathe.
4. Elevate Your Decor
Your fireplace wall is so much more than just a backdrop! Whether you have a wood-burning or an electric fireplace, a mantelpiece is a must-have for displaying smaller items. To complete the layout, you can hang a large mirror, a piece of art, or a TV right above your mantel.
To bring your fireplace wall to the forefront of your room’s design, a tile overlay is a fantastic idea. Stone and cement tiles are a wonderful way to introduce some subtle texture with a neutral color palette. For the fireplace interior or even the entire wall, you can use smaller geometric tiles.
A simple coat of paint can also do wonders and transform an old fireplace with very little effort. I love the idea of matching the fireplace to the surrounding walls to let other decorative items shine. Or, you can choose a contrasting color to really make your fireplace wall stand out and become a focal point.
5. Embracing Nature’s Warmth
For a rustic design, I think it’s so important to prioritize organic materials in your fireplace makeover. A beautiful combination is mixing natural stone with a reclaimed wood mantel.
Try to keep the hearth as the wall’s true focal point by displaying accent decor over the fireplace instead of a TV or some statement artwork. If the drywall around your fireplace feels a little too flat and boring for you, creating an accent wall with a wood or brick overlay is a great solution.
These are simple to install and way more accessible than a lot of other fireplace remodel ideas. And if your idea of rustic leans more towards “Shabby Chic,” you should definitely opt for a white brick fireplace.
Mounting a light wooden mantel over the hearth will really help to warm up the whole design. For shelf decor, I find that preserved greenery like wreaths or some dried flowers looks absolutely excellent.
6. Embracing the Charm Brick Work
I know what some people think, but brickwork can look incredibly contemporary! For the simplest version of this look, you can go with a uniform brick and some flush grout lines.
If you’re craving something with more texture, I love the idea of arranging natural-cut and colored bricks to get an eclectic stacked stone fireplace backdrop.
While the classic red brick fireplace is a staple in home decor, it doesn’t mean you have to use it in your own design. A muted brown or gray brick will give your fireplace a more updated feel. Just choose a light shade of mortar to create some beautiful, contrasting grout lines.
And if you want to downplay the brickwork you already have, a simple coat of paint will do the trick! Just pick a neutral color; matching your fireplace to the wall behind it is a great way to make the brick fade into the background.
7. Cozy Gathering Spaces
The living room can already be such a decor-heavy space, so don’t be afraid to take a more subtle approach with your fireplace wall design. Your living room fireplace should definitely be a focal point, but you don’t want it to overpower the rest of your decor.
You could paint the fireplace surround the same color as the backing wall, or maybe cover the surface with some slightly contrasting tiles or natural wood paneling. The mantel is the absolute perfect spot for a wall-mounted or standing flatscreen TV.
I also love the idea of supplementing your fireplace mantel with extra shelves on either side. You can totally turn your fireplace and the surrounding wall into a gorgeous built-in entertainment center.
But if you’ve decided against a TV in your living room (or it just fits better somewhere else), you can fill the space above your fireplace with another piece of standout decor. This could be a statement mirror, a framed poster, or even a large canvas.
You can hang your decor right on the fireplace wall or just lean it up on the mantel for a more relaxed, casual style.
8. Maximizing Space
A fireplace doesn’t always have to be the huge, central feature of a room. Installing a small fireplace in a dining room or bedroom is such a great way to add a touch of comfort and luxury to a space without having to completely overhaul the design.
If your desire for a small fireplace is more about saving space than a specific design choice, you should look into installing a corner fireplace. And if your main focus is on subtle fireplace ideas, I think you should follow that same philosophy when decorating the wall around it.
Stick with neutrals that match the rest of the room. If you’re not totally set on a color palette, a black or white fireplace will work with almost anything. For just a hint of texture, marble tile is always worth considering.
I would also avoid an over-the-top mantelpiece that’s loaded with decor. If building a recessed mantel into the wall is an option for you, I would go that route. Otherwise, choose a simple mantel shelf that matches the backing wall and just adorn it with a few standout items.
It’s also a great idea to keep any fireplace accessories like pokers and extra wood out of sight in a nearby cupboard to limit any clutter.
9. Captivating Illusions
If you’ve ever found yourself with a non-functional or unwanted fireplace, my first piece of advice is to resist the urge to just tear it down! There are so many amazing ways to incorporate an existing fireplace into your room’s decor without it ever being a working heat source.
You can use your dormant fireplace for storage or to frame some of your favorite decor pieces. I love the look of placing a large basket inside to hold throw blankets and other accessories.
Before you give your old fireplace a new life, just make sure the interior is completely clean and the flue is closed off. A fresh coat of paint or some new tiles can give the interior a beautiful facelift if you think it needs it.
Then, just arrange your decor on the mantel like you would with any traditional fireplace. On the other hand, you can mimic the look of a real wood or gas fireplace by building a faux mantel.
If you want your imitation fireplace to still have some light, you can place battery-powered candles or a lantern inside. Stacking some cut wood inside your fireplace will also preserve that warm and cozy aesthetic. So many possibilities!
10. Unleash Your Creativity
You really don’t have to sacrifice traditional style for modern convenience. A great trick is to build a faux fireplace surround around an electric unit to get the best of both worlds. I would be sure to include a mantel shelf above to complete the whole look.
If you love the physical appearance of a fireplace but don’t have any need for the heating element, building a mock fireplace is surprisingly easy! You can buy or build a freestanding fireplace mantel to mount against a wall. Then, paint the interior wall a contrasting color or add some tile for an extra pop of personality.
You can even fill it with decorative logs. For a really rustic DIY project, you could consider creating a wall overlay using reclaimed wood. You can cover the entire wall or just the space directly above your fireplace.
I’d suggest selecting wood of various colors and then keeping the rest of your decor fairly simple. That beautiful feature wall will do all the work itself!
11. Sleek and Stylish
We tend to associate fireplaces with older, more vintage homes. But fireplaces are actually incredibly commonplace in modern architecture and interior design today. Giving your own home’s fireplace a modern twist is really all about how you decorate the surrounding wall.
In my opinion, traditional brick or stone mantels don’t always suit the modern aesthetic very well. Instead, you could add a beautiful organic texture to your fireplace wall with polished marble tile.
Another great idea is to use sleek wood paneling to bring some warmth to the space without disrupting your modern decor. Overall, I think it’s best to keep your modern fireplace design simple and chic. Skip any ornate woodwork and go for a sleek floating mantel shelf instead.
I’d also recommend using neutral colors throughout the entire room, and don’t forget to invest in some good built-in lighting for those times when your fireplace isn’t being used.
