24 Stunning Fireplace Designs to Make Your Home Cozy This Season

When temperatures drop, nothing beats gathering around a fireplace for warmth. A crackling fire adds unmatched ambiance, making it a coveted feature in homes—even in warmer climates. If your fireplace feels uninspiring, now’s the perfect time for an upgrade. From wood-burning to gas or purely decorative, these designer-curated ideas will ignite your creativity.

Explore how fireplace materials and surrounding décor can transform a space. Whether you plan a full remodel or a simple refresh, these 24 fireplace ideas offer stylish inspiration for every home.

Draw Inspiration from Your Surroundings

In this Florida home designed by Janie Molster, the tabby fireplace is adorned with crushed seashells. For a beach house, this natural touch creates a sense of harmony and purpose, turning the fireplace into a standout, intentional feature.

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Brighten with Limewash

This stone fireplace, original to the home, was refreshed by Melissa Anderson of OAD Interiors with a limewash finish. The lightened surface brightens the space while preserving the fireplace’s authentic character, balancing the room’s darker tones perfectly.

Suspend Your Fireplace for Impact

For a fireplace that truly commands attention, consider a midcentury-inspired design suspended in the air. In this bedroom, designer Melissa Anderson paired it with vaulted ceilings and large windows to create a striking “glamping” vibe, making the fireplace the room’s standout feature.

Frame Your Fireplace with Tiles

Kevin Swayers of Sawyers Design drew inspiration from his clients’ Heath Ceramics bowl collection, framing the fireplace with matching tiles. The tiles’ colors and pattern break up the deep magenta of the mantel and wall while adding a personalized, artistic touch.

Embrace Asymmetry

In this living room by Ali Budd, the Calacatta Verde marble fireplace takes center stage. Asymmetric fluting and a side firewood holder transform it from a functional feature into a striking piece of art, making the fireplace a true focal point.

Repurpose Materials Around You

Krysta Gibbons of Kipling House drew on century-old design methods, finishing this living room fireplace with leftover on-site trim. This approach keeps the fireplace cohesive with the home’s design while showcasing resourcefulness and creativity.

Incorporate Salvaged Statement Pieces

This living room mantel by Sugarhouse originally came from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Its historic charm and unique patina add character to the space, proving that incorporating salvaged pieces—big or small—creates a truly one-of-a-kind interior.

Go Firewood-Free

In this moody lounge designed by Marie Flanigan, the fireplace skips traditional logs. Fireballs provide warmth and ambiance without the hassle of chopping or buying wood, keeping the space sleek and effortless.

Opt for an Ornate Mantel

In this library, designer Sarah Vaile chose an ornate black mantel to enhance the room’s luxurious yet playful vibe. The matte finish complements other black accents, tying the space together while adding warmth and personality.

Wrap It in Concrete

Designer Liz Carroll gave this North Carolina fireplace a concrete finish without making it feel cold or stark. Using a board-form technique by architect Clark Tate, the surface features a subtle wood-grain texture that adds warmth and visual dimension.

Embrace Minimalism

This sleek metal fireplace surround is a minimalist’s dream. Designer Rajni Alex added subtle detailing in the metal and paired it with just a single sculptural art piece, keeping the lounge in our 2024 Whole Home clean, modern, and elegant.

Create the Illusion of Function

Designer Brad Ramsey filled this nonworking fireplace with stacked logs, capturing the cozy charm of a rustic cabin. This lakeside retreat proves that even a nonfunctional fireplace can feel complete and inviting when styled thoughtfully.

Showcase Antiques

Designer Tom Scheerer styled this empty fireplace with a decorative paper fan, incorporating antique elements to honor the home’s history. Adding touches like this nods to the fireplace’s past while creating a visually engaging focal point.

Refresh with New Tile

Kingston Lafferty Design blends old and new by pairing an ornate Victorian mantel with a bold, geometric tiled fireplace. A cactus placed in the niche adds life and purpose, tying the hearth to the room’s modern design elements.

Go Bold with Black Paint

Nicole Hollis Studio transformed a brick fireplace to complement sleek, modern décor by painting it black. This adds depth, tones down the traditional brick character, and gives an empty fireplace an edgy yet understated look.

Opt for Monochrome

Leanne Ford transformed a nonfunctional fireplace by painting it entirely white, including the decorative logs. She softened the look with pampas grass and cream accents, creating a bright, cohesive, and inviting living room.

Highlight with a Statement Screen

A decorative fireplace screen can turn a nonfunctional hearth into a striking feature. At the Williamsburg Hotel, Jonathan Hoekklo used a brutalist screen that conceals the empty fireplace while elevating the surrounding space.

Turn It into an Art Display

Interior designer Leanne Ford transformed an empty fireplace into a mini gallery, showcasing pottery and artwork. This approach adds visual interest and makes the fireplace a curated focal point in a texture-rich, stylish space.

Brighten with Flowers

In this Nantucket cottage, James Michael Howard styled an empty fireplace with a vibrant flower arrangement. As Francesco Lagnese shows, fresh blooms instantly enliven a space, adding color, texture, and a natural focal point.

Stack Vintage Books

Jersey Ice Cream Co. transformed an empty fireplace into a cozy display by filling it with stacks of vintage books. This styling complements the mantel’s rustic, aged character while creating a warm, inviting focal point.

Incorporate Natural Textures

Even in a nonfunctional fireplace, piling logs adds warmth and a cozy vibe. Designer Katie Hodges paired reclaimed wood seating with the empty hearth, highlighting the natural textures and creating a welcoming, homey focal point.

Use It to Store Magazines

Magazine lovers can turn an empty fireplace into a practical display. Emily Henderson stacks magazines in the hearth, creating both storage and a visually appealing, casual focal point.

Turn It into the Focal Point

Instead of hiding an empty or nonfunctional fireplace, make it the room’s centerpiece. In this living room, Leanne Ford used a tiered design and a concrete skimcoat to elevate the space, transforming the full-wall fireplace into a striking focal point.

Add Seating

The team at Amber Interiors placed a small accent chair inside the fireplace, creating both a decorative feature and extra seating. This clever approach turns an unused hearth into a functional, stylish element.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fireplace design ideas for small spaces?

Use minimalistic surrounds, compact seating, or creative décor like stacked books or plants to maximize style without crowding.

How can I update a nonfunctional fireplace?

Fill it with decorative logs, vintage books, flowers, or artwork to create a stylish focal point without using fire.

What materials are trending for fireplace surrounds?

Popular choices include marble, concrete, tile, natural stone, and reclaimed wood for a modern, timeless, or rustic look.

How do I make a fireplace the focal point of a room?

Add bold finishes, tiered designs, statement screens, or eye-catching mantels to draw attention and complement your décor.

Can fireplaces work in warm climates?

Yes! Even without regular use, fireplaces enhance ambiance, style, and cozy aesthetics in any home.

What are some low-maintenance fireplace styling ideas?

Painted surrounds, decorative screens, stacked logs, and monochrome décor keep fireplaces stylish without frequent upkeep.

How can I incorporate personal touches into my fireplace design?

Use antiques, curated art, patterned tiles, or meaningful collections to reflect your personality and home’s history.

Conclusion

Fireplaces are more than just a source of warmth—they’re a design statement that can elevate any space. From bold, modern surrounds to cozy, decorated hearths, these 24 designer-inspired ideas prove there’s a style for every home. Whether you’re updating a functional fireplace or styling a nonworking one, these tips show how to make your fireplace a striking focal point, reflect your personality, and add both charm and comfort to your living space.