Previously, fireplaces were used mainly for practical purposes. With their help, they maintained a comfortable temperature in wooden and stone houses, dried wet clothes and heated water for domestic needs. With the advent of technology, a lot has changed. Now the fireplace has become primarily an attribute of style, a bright touch in the interior of the living room. It creates an atmosphere of comfort and warmth, being a unique symbol of the family hearth.
Today, fireplaces can be found not only in country houses and dachas. Safe electric fireplaces are often installed in apartments designed in different styles. And to make the space sparkle with colors, the fireplace is decorated with a variety of decorative elements.
In this material you will learn how to beautifully decorate a fireplace in a house or apartment. We will share with you the designers’ ideas and show you photographs with design examples. You'll be surprised how a few simple solutions can transform a space!
Bringing luxury to the interior
A fireplace has the ability to unite the whole family in one room. At any time of the year, soft light from fire or candles will add nobility and grace to the interior.
There are many decorative elements that will make the fireplace sparkle with new colors, decorate the house with its sophistication and relaxing effect. Since now the fireplace has no direct purpose for heating the home, owners of the hearth have a place to roam and create fireplace decor with their own hands.
Ideas for walls with modern fireplaces
We tend to associate fireplaces with old houses. But they are incredibly common in modern architecture and interior design. Giving your home's fireplace a modern twist means decorating the surrounding wall.
Traditional brick or stone fireplaces don't always lend themselves to modern aesthetics. Instead, add organic texture to your wall with polished marble tiles. You can use smooth wood panels to bring a little warmth to the space without disrupting the modern design.
Overall, the design of a modern fireplace should be simple and chic at the same time. Skip the ornate woodwork in favor of a sleek floating mantel. Use neutral colors throughout the room and be sure to invest in recessed lighting for when the fireplace is not in use.
Variety of fireplaces
Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are widespread throughout the world. Specialists are involved in construction, because the chimney device is directly responsible for removing soot from the home.
In addition to wood-burning fireplaces, there are electric and gas fireplaces, and there is also a category of bio-fireplaces. The gas option will also require a chimney. An electric fireplace is convenient and practical in urban environments; it operates from the mains.
A biofireplace is a device that runs on bioethanol or alcohol fuel. Electric and biomodels are suitable for owners of city apartments, where placement of a traditional combustion source is not allowed.
Brick Fireplace Wall Ideas
Contrary to popular belief, brickwork looks extremely modern. For the simplest look, use uniform brick and even grout lines. If you want something more textured, add natural cut bricks and colored versions to create an exotic backdrop of stacked stone.
A red brick fireplace is a classic example of home design, but that doesn't mean you have to use it in your project. Muted brown or gray brick will give it an updated aesthetic. For contrasting grout lines, choose a light shade of grout.
If you plan to tone down the existing brickwork around your fireplace, a coat of paint may be all you need to do. Choose a neutral color - matching the color of the fireplace with the wall behind it will make the brick fade from the overall background.
Home installation
The versatility of fireplaces lies in the possibility of their installation. The fireplace can be wall-mounted or built-in, corner or island. The choice depends on the size of the home, and any shape can be given; fireplaces can be square or cylindrical, round or polygonal in shape.
“Stove craftsmen” are still in demand, and prices for fireplace decor, although they vary depending on the complexity of the design, are quite acceptable for a fireplace that will last for many years.
Rustic Fireplace Wall Ideas
When decorating a rustic wall, give preference to organic materials. Mix natural stone with reclaimed wood. Aim for the hearth to be the focal point of the wall—place accent decor or artwork above the fireplace, but not the TV.
If the drywall around the fireplace seems too flat and boring, spruce up an accent wall with wood or brick cladding. These solutions are easy to implement and much more financially rewarding than most wall remodel ideas.
Does your idea of rustic style lean more toward "shabby chic"? Choose a white brick fireplace. Adding a light wood shelf above the fireplace will help warm up the overall design. Preserved greenery, such as wreaths or dried flowers, make a great display addition.
Fireplace cladding
The fireplace as the core of the interior can be modified with the help of decor. The design of the fireplace area is selected to match the overall style of home decoration. In the classical sense, a fireplace is a masonry device with cast iron rods near the firebox.
The decor of the decorative fireplace is made using natural stone, gypsum bas-relief, brick-shaped tiles, giving an aging effect. Natural stone can be taken in an uneven shape to give it a certain “brutality”, a reference to the cave style.
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The classic U-shaped fireplace can be made of wood. In addition to the classics, this piece of furniture fits perfectly into the decoration of a chalet or hunting-style home, as well as rococo (using mosaics and elegant painting) and high-tech, whose strict forms are emphasized by metal and glass materials.
Options for facing materials
The cladding of the fireplace can be anything - it all depends on the design idea. Since the standard design consists of a hearth and a portal, both elements are designed separately. The false fireplace and electric fireplace consist of one portal and do not have a hearth. When choosing finishing materials, it is important to consider where the hearth is located - at home or on the street, and for what interior it is designed.
The most important factors are:
- combustion material - when they are going to burn with wood, the lining must withstand temperatures up to 900 degrees, but for oak wood it is required that it can easily withstand 1000 degrees, for other solid fuels - 1200;
- location - if the installation location is a summer veranda or garden, frost-resistant cladding is needed; for a structure placed in a house and having a purely decorative purpose, any materials are suitable;
- moisture resistance - when the room is not heated, non-moisture resistant materials quickly crack and peel off;
- weight - for a heavy structure on the first floor of a private house, an additional foundation is required; the second and higher floors simply will not support a heavy fireplace.
How fireplaces are decorated:
- stone;
- brick;
- Himalayan salt;
- drywall;
- tiles;
- tiles;
- glass;
- colored plaster;
- tree;
- stucco;
- paint;
- foam blocks;
- forged parts;
- fiber cement panels;
- sheet iron.
Not all types of finishes are suitable for a working fireplace, not a fake one, so when purchasing a particular material, you should read the instructions.
Stone
It is considered the best solution for any style, all types of premises, garden design. This finish not only looks good, but will also be as durable as possible. High temperature and humidity are not a problem for it, but the weight of the fireplace is quite large. A large structure requires the manufacture of a separate foundation, which is made at least ten centimeters larger than the base.
The following types of stone are commonly used:
- marble;
- travertine;
- onyx;
- malachite;
- granite
- coil;
- sandstone;
- Soapstone chlorite
Artificial stone weighs significantly less, looks like natural stone, and is most often made from gypsum in combination with stone chips and pigments. It is easy to process and cuts well. Laying begins from the bottom corner after leveling the surface. But most types of fake stone are not able to withstand high temperatures or high humidity - its suitability for certain works should be clarified when purchasing.
Tree
It is used to decorate electric and false fireplaces, as it can easily catch fire. It is also not suitable for rooms with high humidity - it cracks and becomes deformed. Caring for wooden surfaces is necessary on a regular basis, otherwise they will quickly lose their normal appearance. The material is impregnated with special compounds that prevent molding, damage by insects and rodents, and is covered with stain and varnish.
The most popular types of wood are:
- oak, beech;
- nut;
- cherry;
- mahogany;
- rosewood;
- pine, spruce;
- Karelian birch;
- maple.
Such a hearth has a beautiful texture, becoming a unique piece of furniture, and is decorated with carvings, voluminous turned elements, and inlay.
Tile
Ceramic tiles are used quite often for finishing - the variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns allows them to decorate designs of most currently known styles. Before installation, the surface is carefully leveled, and the solution is made as uniform as possible - if a pebble or debris gets under one of the tiles, it will lie unevenly, which will significantly spoil the appearance. Next, the surface to be treated is marked. Parts require high-quality fitting, and different types of tiles are fixed using solutions of different compositions. For some types of interior, rectangular tiles imitating red, white or multi-colored brick are suitable.
Tiles
The most luxurious interiors are decorated with tiles. Once upon a time, palaces, temples, and houses of wealthy residents of large cities were decorated this way. The material contains terracotta clay, which is suitable for all types of fireplaces, but real ones must have a cast iron firebox. The elements are produced glazed, shiny, as if made of glass and without glaze - reminiscent of simple pottery. In terms of stylistic design, tiles can be vintage, modern, classic, etc., they are highly decorative and have sufficient durability.
Plaster
Decorative plaster is easy to apply independently, but in order for the structure to look neat, it requires preliminary leveling of the surface and coating with primer. Often several types of plasters of different colors are used, and the strokes are done chaotically. The material does not withstand excessively high temperatures, therefore it is used for false fireplaces or those that are heated only occasionally with non-solid materials.
Stucco molding
Stucco molding is made from gypsum or polystyrene foam. The latter option is only suitable for electric fireplaces or their imitation. Columns, half-columns, rosettes, niches, pilasters, corners, openwork details, etc. are made. Sometimes entire stucco bas-reliefs are made, depicting various scenes, which are later painted with special paints or left white.
Steel and forging
Cast iron and steel elements and accessories are suitable for all types of structures. Doors, grates, and the entire fireplace are made of metal - it is not afraid of high temperatures, and the anti-corrosion coating will protect against high humidity. Real fireplaces with a “live” fire are also equipped with a forged poker, tongs, a scoop, and a stand for firewood. Patterns or entire plots on doors and screens are made using plasma cutting or are also hand-forged by a craftsman to order.
Most often on the doors they depict:
- contours of animals, birds, fish;
- silhouettes of people;
- geometric figures;
- plots from literary works;
- urban, rural landscapes;
- musical instruments, notes.
One of the disadvantages of such finishing is the high cost, since almost all the decor is done manually or using an expensive machine with a laser.
Fireproof coating
A fireplace decorated with glass elements will fit perfectly into any modern interior. The glass used is fireproof - withstands up to 1000 degrees, coated with a special composition that prevents the appearance of soot. It reflects part of the thermal radiation into the structure, is produced smooth, convex, and may have patterns. Such a fireplace warms up the room slowly, but you can look at the fire up close without fear that a spark will fall on clothes, furniture, or carpet. Heat-resistant paints are also used here. They have an organosilicon base and, after application, form a protective film on the surface that can withstand temperatures up to 650 degrees. Before painting, the surface to be treated is leveled and cleaned of grease and old plaster. Afterwards painting is done with a brush, spray cans, and hand painting.
Elements for decorating a mantelpiece
It is easy to smooth out the excessive severity and stiffness of the fireplace not only by understanding how to decorate the fireplace, but also by decorating the shelf. It’s easy to decorate a family hearth with little things like:
- framed photographs or paintings;
- candles in elegant candlesticks, scented candles and incense;
- interesting vases of various configurations;
- flower arrangements;
- seasonal decorations based on branches or vegetables;
- collections of figurines, mugs, figurines;
- stacks of books;
- mirrors of different shapes;
- travel souvenirs and globes.
Decorating the mantelpiece with LED lighting strips or additional lighting will also be an excellent option. Followers of minimalism prefer the absence of any elements on top of the fireplace. It has a distinctive style and elegance.
Ideas for designing a fireplace at the installation location
Fireplaces are most often installed in the living room or dining room combined with a kitchen, and rarely in the bedroom. Based on their location in space, fireplaces can be divided into several types. Let's look at them in the photo and get ideas for design.
Wall mounted
A fireplace against a wall is a traditional installation method. Suitable for large rooms, wood-burning and gas fireplaces that require a chimney and a gas pipe. To decorate wall-mounted fireplaces, decorative cladding made of various materials is used: brick, natural stone, ceramic tiles.
Design option for a wall-mounted fireplace in a private home
To decorate a fireplace near a wall, forged or clay products are often used, which can withstand prolonged heating well. Sometimes pots with flowers that are unpretentious to temperature fluctuations, framed photographs, and figurines are placed on the mantelpiece. Above the fireplace you can hang a picture or mirror in a beautiful frame. Next to the portal you can install a fireplace set with firewood - stylish and practical.
Idea: Probably the most natural decor for the area near the fireplace was and remains logs. You can place neatly cut firewood, previously cleaned of dust and dirt, in a special niche near the fireplace, in the firebox if the fireplace is not in working condition. If desired, you can use decorative branches for the same purposes.
Portal decoration and decorative items for the fireplace
Fireplace set for decorating a wall fireplace
Built-in
Built-in fireplaces take up little space, so they are installed not only in country houses, but also in apartments. Built-in fireplaces do not have a mantel or portal as such, so there will be fewer decor options.
It is better not to hang anything on the wall with a fireplace, but to use materials in contrasting shades as decoration. For example, if you chose a dark-colored fireplace, then it is better to make the wall light. This design solution will create a bright accent in the interior.
How to decorate a fireplace in an apartment
You can beautifully decorate a built-in fireplace in an apartment or country house with the help of designer furniture. A cozy rocking chair or couch, coffee table, console or wine rack would look appropriate nearby.
Sometimes designers decorate a room with a fireplace with additional light sources - floor lamps, spotlights and LED strips. Working with light will require certain knowledge and skills in interior design, otherwise the lighting fixtures will block the main advantage of the fireplace - the delightful play of real or artificial flames.
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This is interesting: If you want to learn how to decorate a fireplace with your own hands using furniture, we recommend getting ideas from the material “Rocking chair in the interior by the fireplace.” You may like interior design solutions in various styles.
Corner
Corner fireplaces are much more practical than traditionally installed wall fireplaces. They take up less space, do not interfere with free movement around the room, and the chimney can be placed on any wall that the portal comes into contact with.
Corner fireplace in the living room interior
If the issue of decoration arose before you at the project stage, you have a unique opportunity to make the fireplace a real masterpiece. Using original design and unusual surfaces, you can ensure that the fireplace portal becomes the main and brightest decorative element in the room. At the same time, it will be enough to emphasize it with just a few details, or even do without decor at all.
Before decorating the corner fireplace with decorative items, arrange the furniture correctly. Try to make sure that the chairs, sofa or tables do not cover the structure and do not interfere with admiring the flame. Next to the fireplace you can install a rocking chair or a small pouf, a cozy chair with a warm blanket.
If the fireplace portal is decorated with stucco, decorated with ceramic tiles or natural stone, then the furniture decoration should be laconic and the shapes should be simple. This combination will help create harmony and balance in the interior.
Corner with fireplace
The simplest decor option is to decorate the fireplace with flowers. If the mantel is quite wide, then you can put several volumetric decorative elements on it. These can be figurines or vases. It’s good if you use several items from the same collection or even the same ones - this will create a feeling of integrity and completeness of the composition.
Tip: Try not to overdo it with decorative elements, otherwise they will begin to draw attention to themselves.
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Artificial succulent flower in glass pot
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Candle in a ceramic candle holder Nud
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Decorative concrete figurine Levin Moai
Island (or free-standing)
An island fireplace is a spectacular design solution for spacious living rooms. It attracts attention, even if the decoration of the room is restrained and laconic. Look how compact, stylish and modern island fireplaces look in the interior:
Room with island fireplace
Island fireplace in the living room interior
Island fireplace in a country house
Island fireplaces come in wood-burning and electric, floor-standing and hanging. For floor-standing fireplaces, you will have to equip a fireproof platform, which cannot be said about hanging models. Look how beautifully you can decorate both types of fireplaces in your home:
Fireplace in the living room
Hanging island fireplace in the home
It is quite difficult to choose the decor for such a fireplace, but you can decorate the room with properly arranged furniture. Decorations can include pouffes and couches, comfortable armchairs, coffee tables and consoles. The main thing is to install furniture away from the hearth in order to maintain the visual spaciousness of the room.
Tip: Arrange paired items - armchairs or shelving - symmetrically to create a feeling of stability and harmony in the interior.
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Metal book rack
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Soft black chair
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Glass coffee table
The fireplace area – merging with the interior
Space for creativity is provided not only by the fireplace itself, but also by the area near it. The transition of the wall from the hearth to the main walls can be implemented in a single style. For example, decorating the walls in the form of shelves for logs. For an aesthetic appearance, carefully processed logs of the same size are laid.
Mirror surfaces or areas with fascia are successfully combined with a fireplace. Mirrors frame and decorate this visual center of the room. Electric models are equipped with side vertical shelves on which figurines or framed photographs look beautiful.
Electric Fireplace Wall Ideas
Electric fireplaces bring a fresh, modern aesthetic to the home, mainly due to their elegant design. Add to the elegance of your fireplace with a straightforward look that doesn't require a fancy backsplash.
A long, linear fireplace is a great way to warm up a central wall in your home without any physical bulk. Install a modern electric fireplace directly into drywall or cover the entire unit with architectural tiles. Ditch the traditional wooden (flammable) hearth in favor of a floating entertainment center.
Don’t try to think only about matching the interior to the exterior finish of your electric fireplace. Many electric models are lined with wood, stone or other material inside. Your electric fireplace may also have a built-in fire-independent light.
New Year by the fireplace
Most often, a fireplace is associated with traditional winter celebrations of Christmas and New Year. Everyone has a desire to spend these days in a special way and decorate their home.
Fireplace decor for the New Year is done using garlands, spruce branches, toys, lush ribbons and candles. The area on top of the hearth will be beautifully decorated with Christmas wreaths.
Christmas fireplace decor would be incomplete without a fluffy decorated Christmas tree standing nearby.
Ideas for walls with a fireplace made from Shiplap panels
Not only is shiplap safe as a fireplace wall design (as long as you follow a few basic rules), but the material is a great option for any farmhouse style home design in need of texture.
Use trim to frame a fireplace or to line the wall around it. Although whitewashed paneling is the most popular choice today, you can simply paint the wood any color or leave it as is to give it a weathered look.
Many modern and rustic fireplace ideas include shiplap. You can combine this trend with wall paneling made of wood to create an overall homey feel. However, if you go this route, try using a contrasting finish on the walls and fireplace.
False fireplace as an interior tool
An imitation fireplace is a composition made from a frame, inside of which there is no fire, but you can place decorative candles, figurines or frames. The decor of a false fireplace allows you to create an aura of serenity even in a small city apartment. The back wall of the fireplace can be made mirrored or lined with decorative tiles.
An imitation fireplace is used for photo sessions, for example, in thematic areas of photo studios. Parents often create false fireplaces with their own hands to equip a group in kindergarten: children also love to take pictures in front of such a cozy “stove.”
Ideas for walls with a small fireplace
A fireplace doesn't always have to be the centerpiece of a room. Installing a small fireplace in your dining room or bedroom offers a great way to add a touch of comfort and luxury to your space without having to completely redesign it.
If the desire to have a small fireplace is more about saving space than a purely design decision, consider installing it in a corner.
If you're focused on elegant hearth ideas, follow the same philosophy when decorating the wall around it. Choose neutral shades that coordinate with the rest of the room. If you don't stick to a specific color palette, black or white will go with almost anything. For added texture, consider marble tiles.
Avoid fireplaces that are overloaded with decor. If it is possible to build a fireplace into the wall, choose this option. Otherwise, match the mantel to the wall and decorate it with just a few eye-catching items. Store fireplace accessories - pokers, extra firewood, etc. - in plain sight in the nearest closet to avoid clutter.
Photo of fireplace decor
Ideas for a stone fireplace wall
When designing a stone wall, you need to decide whether the stone veneer is a neutral or an accent element. This applies less to the stone itself and more to the interior of the rest of the room. For example, most marble fireplace surround ideas will be an accent piece in a minimalist, all-white room. This same stone will be neutral in a room full of bright design elements.
When choosing a design, refer to the color of your fireplace wall. Most natural stones have quite a bit of variation, and you can use their different shades to your advantage as you narrow down your color palette.
Overall, simplicity is the best alternative. An ornate fireplace full of decor will only weigh down your stone wall and all its innate beauty. Stick to the essentials, such as a TV or mirror, and leave plenty of space to allow the stone to breathe.
Nuances for different types of fireplaces
In order to achieve a competent design of a living room with a fireplace, you should pay attention to the features of the room, its layout, dimensions, decoration and even the arrangement of furniture.
When choosing a classic built-in fireplace, first of all you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for installing the fireplace. For safety reasons, a high-quality chimney and ventilation grilles must be equipped for proper air supply.
An electric model or false fireplace is the most suitable option for rooms with a small area. For these products, it is better to organize a place near the internal main wall. The electric fireplace is very compact, safe, lightweight and does not cause any difficulties during the renovation of the room.
A gas fireplace simultaneously performs two functions: it becomes an original decoration and heats the room. Such a fireplace does not produce soot or soot. There are open, closed, built-in and stationary models, which, due to their versatility, can be located almost anywhere, for example, near the hay or on a special stand.
The photo shows the design of a bright living room with an artificial false fireplace.
The bio-fireplace is an ideal solution for the interior of an apartment. Such a product does not have any special requirements for location and is absolutely harmless to the environment. The airy transparent eco-fireplace built into the wall partition looks truly original and unusual.
Features of facade decoration
The front part of the fireplace can also be decorated in a New Year's style, and this section of the structure provides enormous opportunities for design imagination. A win-win option is to hang socks and mittens in which you can put small gifts for children.
A garland of pine needles, into which a regular LED garland or a flexible diode cord is woven, will look no less impressive on the fireplace. You can also decorate coniferous decorations with cones painted with aerosol acrylic paint in gold or silver.
Advice! By the way, pine needles can also be artificial - its branches are sold in abundance in home improvement stores.
Nobilis garland for the fireplace
There are other interesting types of decor that are perfect for a New Year's transformation of the front of the fireplace:
- homemade snowflakes from white paper or foil;
- Christmas tree decorations strung on a rope;
- compositions from tangerines;
- beads, including those made from natural materials;
- interior stickers;
- garlands of icicles.
You can also point a night light-projector at the fireplace, giving a picture of the starry sky or other interesting illumination.
Hearth lighting
If a real fire is not provided for in the design of the fireplace, then an artificial one can be made. Depending on the method of imitation, the “flame” inside the portal can be either very conventional or as reliable as possible.
Most often, to illuminate the fireplace inside the hearth, they use:
- LED strips. They can be one color, or several shades to create highlights of the flame. LEDs are universal lighting. They are suitable for all types of false fireplaces. In addition to “fire”, in this way you can recreate “smoldering coals” by filling the LED strip with painted stones and sand or real coals and ash;
- Christmas tree garlands. This type of lighting is most often used when decorating a fireplace for the New Year and Christmas, but monochrome garlands are also common during other periods of the year;
- steam installations. The combination of steam, LEDs and fan creates not only a very realistic flame, but also “smoke”. The effect is very realistic. But if this lighting method is suitable for a fireplace made of plasterboard or polystyrene foam, then the cardboard may become soggy from excess moisture;
- candles. A very impressive, but dangerous way to illuminate a portal. It is not recommended to be used for illuminating false fireplaces made of highly flammable materials, as well as in rooms where there are small children and pets;
- fabric and ribbons. To recreate the flame, scraps of light fabrics in fiery shades are taken. Under them there is a small fan and lighting. With the correct selection of tones and textures, the chaotic movement of the fabric combined with the glare of “sparks” will create a very realistic “flame”.
By changing the way the hearth is lit, you can completely change the “mood” of the fireplace. Candle lighting will add romance to Valentine's Day. A shimmering Christmas tree garland illuminating the portal will add a New Year's mood.
Minimalism framed by a fireplace
One of the varieties of modernism is minimalist fireplaces. These can be small, compact glass fireplaces that can be placed on a table or placed on the floor next to a sofa or chair.
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Structures built into the wall will also be a minimalist solution, which can save most of the space.
How else to decorate the fireplace area?
You should not introduce too much decor into the New Year's fireplace interior - the room will look overloaded and inharmonious. If the portal, shelf and the structure itself are decorated modestly, you can add decorations that correspond to the overall idea. For example, a woodpile or several firewood in a bucket is placed near the hearth - real, or made from rolled corrugated cardboard. Also, large figurines of deer, Father Frost and Snow Maiden and other Christmas characters are perfect for this area.
On both sides of the fireplace you can install floor vases with branches of pine needles and other massive decorative elements - they will play one of the main roles in providing a festive ambiance. Don't be afraid of experiments - the time is coming for creativity, self-expression and creating a New Year's miracle with your own hands together with friends and loved ones.
