2 Story Fireplace Decorating Ideas

living room with scandinavian-styled coffee table

Credit: David Tsay

A fireplace can add architectural interest and warmth to any room. Create a cozy retreat with a fireplace design that adds comfort and character to your home. Whether you're remodeling an old fireplace or designing one from scratch, these fireplace ideas are full of inspiration.

Symmetrical Fireplace Design

modern living room

Credit: Kim Cornelison

The fireplace often serves as the main feature of a room. Cement its focal point status with fireplace ideas that instantly draw attention. In this living room, the symmetrical placement of furniture, light fixtures, and mantel decor helps direct eyes toward the large fireplace. The simple, balanced design achieves a clean look that still feels cozy.

Herringbone Tile Fireplace

Living room with area rug and lounge chairs

Credit: Tria Giovan

This tiled fireplace design corresponds with the room's high-contrast color palette and eclectic style, creating a striking and cohesive look. Painted the same color as the walls and window trim, the fireplace mantel seamlessly connects to built-in shelves on either side. On the surround, white tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern stand out against the dark gray backdrop.

Small Fireplace Ideas

white painted fireplace floating mantel shell decor blanket ladder chairs

Credit: John Bessler

Even small fireplace designs can have big impact. This narrow fireplace features an electric insert framed out by white-painted bricks that stretch to the ceiling. Mounting the mantel at eye level helps the walls in this small living room appear taller.

Fireplace Tile Ideas

dark painted wall above fireplace with red and blue décor

Credit: David A. Land

Branch out from brick and try tile on your fireplace surround. Available in nearly endless colors and styles, tile can bring a distinct look to a dull surround. Consult your local tile shop or masonry pro to determine what materials and applications are best suited for your specific fireplace.

Brick Fireplace Makeover

white sitting room with white brick fireplace

Credit: Annie Schlechter

Turn a dark fireplace wall into a crisp focal point with paint. Especially in rooms with low ceilings, a dark fireplace can make a room feel cavelike and dated. To paint a brick fireplace, clean the surface with a wire brush and nonsudsy trisodium phosphate (TSP) to loosen grime, following the instructions on the package. Next, apply a stain-blocking primer to hide any soot stains. After the primer is dry, paint the fireplace. Keep in mind that high-gloss paints will resist soot, and high-temperature paints can be used on metal surrounds but not the inside of the firebox.

Fireplace Mantel Decor

Fireplace with candles and plant

Credit: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography LLC

A simple fireplace makeover can begin with items you already have in your home. Shop your existing inventory of accessories and display a few on your mantel for a quick, no-cost refresh. Houseplants, candlesticks, framed artwork, mirrors, and decorative vases can all work beautifully as fireplace mantel decor.

Traditional White Fireplace

living room with scandinavian-styled coffee table

Credit: David Tsay

A simple white fireplace design contributes to this room's bright, clean look. The classic millwork and shallow mantel set a traditional tone, which is underscored by a colorful antique rug. However, sparse mantel decor and contemporary furnishings introduce modern character for a distinctive mix of styles.

Farmhouse-Style Fireplace

white living room with wood floors and fireplace

Credit: Brie Williams

Farmhouse-style simplicity characterizes this white fireplace. The stone accent wall received a coat of white paint for a cleaner look, but its rugged texture stays in step with the room's rustic aesthetic. A live-edge, floating wood mantel introduces even more natural charm and provides a stylish perch for vintage accessories.

Marble Fireplace

Living room with wooden coffee table and white furniture

Credit: David A Land

Incorporate the luxurious look of marble into your fireplace design. In this living room, a French-style marble mantel exudes casual elegance when paired with white-painted paneling and neutral furnishings. The shapely mantel design provides a sophisticated perch for a collection of accessories.

Fireplace Log Storage

modern floating shelves by fireplace

Credit: Kritsada Panichgul

Integrating firewood storage into the fireplace itself is a space-saving way to ensure you're always ready to throw another log on the flames. Storing firewood in a nook next to the fireplace eliminates the need to find a place for the wood elsewhere. The logs will also introduce a natural element and added texture to the room.

Painted Fireplace Mantel

family room blue mantel cow hide

Credit: Anthony Masterson

Painting your fireplace mantel can completely change the feel of a room. This traditional fireplace received a sleek update with a few coats of dark teal paint. The high-gloss finish mimics the shine of the glass tile surround and mirror mounted above.

Colorful Fireplace Decor

white brick fireplace

Credit: Anthony Masterson

Colorful accessories contrast this fireplace's white brick hearth and walls, giving the living room a cozy, cottage-style look. Pastoral artwork, brilliant blue vases, and other collected accents fill the mantel and adjacent shelves to establish a brightly-hued palette. Driftwood fills the firebox to hint at warm fires even when it's not lit.

Slate Fireplace Tiles

decorating gallery tv fireplace

Credit: Robert Brinson

White built-ins lighten the look of this slate-tiled fireplace. A wood mantel nods to wood tones repeated elsewhere in the room, but its simple design keeps the focus on the stunning slate. The sofa faces the French doors to maximize the views beyond while still offering a comfy spot to take in the fireplace and view the TV.

Stone Fireplace Design

stone fireplace white mantel

Credit: Werner Straube

Featuring an elevated stone hearth and a white wraparound mantel, the limestone fireplace is the focal point of this warm, comfortable living room. The fireplace mantel design contrasts the stone surround and corresponds with the pops of white throughout the room. Furnishings in grays and light taupes reflect the natural tones in the fireplace for a cohesive look.

Black Faux Fireplace

glossy black fireplace

Credit: Edmund Barr

Glossy black paint dresses up this non-working fireplace. Including a few black accessories throughout the room helps ease the transition between the striking black facade and the surrounding white walls. Potted plants, including vibrant pink orchids, introduce color and organic appeal.

Fireplace Furniture Arrangements

fireplace with built ins

Credit: Tria Giovan

Paired with built-in storage units, this white fireplace becomes a natural anchor for the living room's furniture arrangement. White sofas and chairs arranged in a U shape are positioned to have a view of the fireplace. White paint unites the built-ins and fireplace mantel with the rest of the room's color scheme. A black fireplace surround adds stark contrast, which is softened through the repetition of the black lanterns on the shelves and dark furniture legs.

Glam Fireplace Design

fireplace living room

Credit: Anthony Masterson

This fireplace stands out for its understated yet glamorous approach to fireplace design. Solid brass andirons in the shape of fish and an oversize mirror bring an ornate touch to the white brick fireplace. Without a mantel to interrupt the neat lines of the brick, the overall effect is simple and elegant.

Classic Fireplace Design

mint green living room

Credit: John Bessler

Details make this ordinary fireplace design stand out. The substantial, stepped cornice mantelpiece is supported by fluted columns to establish classic appeal. Soft mint green walls add subtle color that beautifully coordinates with the artwork above the mantel. A fireplace screen adds an extra layer of detail.

Modern Fireplace Design

fireplace room divider

Credit: Laura Hull

Open floor plans are a staple of modern homes but can sometimes limit the cozy factor. Rather than being built into a room-length wall, this fireplace is stationed in the center of the room, creating a room divider that still leaves the two living spaces open to one another. Varying dark gray tones add dimension to the fireplace, which juxtaposes the light, cheery colors in the rest of the room and helps create a thoroughly modern look.

Wooden Fireplace Mantel

rich wood fireplace mantel white living room

Credit: Michael Garland

A carved wooden mantelpiece brings warmth and natural character to this modern living room. The dark wood tone contrasts the white room while introducing a calm, homey feel rather than a stark, contemporary look. Black mantel accessories and framed artwork above the fireplace repeat the rich tones of the fireplace, creating a sense of rhythm in the living room.

TV and Fireplace Ideas

wall mounted tv over fireplace

Credit: Beth Singer

Maintain a sleek, clean look by recessing your TV into the wall above your fireplace. Work with an electrician to relocate or add outlets so you can plug the TV in behind the unit, rather than having the cords hang down in front of the fireplace. This television closely mirrors the dimensions of the firebox below, creating a sense of balance.

Screen Porch Fireplace

natural stone fireplace with wooden mantel

Credit: Robert Brinson

A fireplace makes this screened-in porch comfortable no matter the season. The cultured stone veneer on the fireplace is a lightweight alternative that offers all the aesthetic properties of the actual stone. Variegated tones and textures match the room's neutral color palette and add dimension to the room. Soaring from floor to ceiling, the fireplace accentuates the room's height.

Modern Stone Fireplace

black marble fireplace living room

Credit: Werner Straube

Make a statement with simple yet stunning fireplace ideas. Dressed in smooth granite, this modern fireplace skips the mantel and ornamentation altogether. Incorporating wood tones and plush fabrics softens the look of the stone and makes the living room feel less severe.

Cozy Cottage Fireplace

cozy pastel living room

Credit: Michael Partenio

A simple white fireplace is the perfect addition to this quaint, pastel-toned living room. The comfortable warmth added by the fireplace complements the light colors and cottage style, adding a cheery and cozy feel to the room. Deeply grooved paneling, rafters, scalloped arches, and other architectural features are bathed in white, and the fireplace falls in line for a uniform look. The white brick fireplace surround and large, stately mantel add to the homey vibe and ensure the fireplace is not lost in the lofty expanse of the living room.

DIY Fireplace Mantel

grey living room salvaged wood mantel

Credit: Michael Garland

Building a mantel from salvaged materials is not only eco-friendly; it also gives the fireplace an aged, one-of-a-kind look. Here, a barn beam is used as a rustic floating mantel. Paired with the sleek, contemporary fireplace, the room has a cozy feel that seamlessly incorporates the best of old and new.

Dining Room Fireplace

dining room with rich wood floors

Credit: Richard Leo Johnson

A simple fireplace design puts the finishing touch on this dining room. The white-washed, aged wood of the fireplace surround blends into the room's neutral color palette, while the dark firebox and hearth break in the monochromatic scheme. Bucolic wallpaper envelops the room, and the part of the pattern positioned above the fireplace mimics the look of a landscape painting.

Brick Fireplace Ideas

red brick cozy fireplace

Credit: Michael Partenio

Red brick is a classic fireplace material that lends a stately appearance. But if you're looking to create a lighter look, pair the crimson material with light-color walls. Here, white board-and-batten walls mesh with a traditional brick fireplace surround to create a high-contrast effect.

Antique Fireplace Design

elegant carved limestone fireplace

Credit: Stacey Brandford

Ornate fireplace designs evoke old-world style. Here, a carved limestone fireplace surround gives the room a feeling of regal elegance. For a dose of simplicity, an understated mirror tops the antique mantel, reflecting light and keeping the room open and airy.

Modern Fireplace Mantel

sealed-combustion gas fireplace

Credit: Michael Partenio

Mantels typically measure the same length as the fireplace surround, but this modern living area called for a different arrangement. Because the fireplace isn't centered on the wall, the mantel was extended to add visual interest beyond the surround. Lofty branches arranged in a vase lead the eye upward to emphasize the room's soaring ceiling. Accessories of varying heights across the rest of the mantel balance the tall branches.

Rustic Stone Fireplace

rustic stone fireplace with cream furniture

Credit: Ed Gohlich

This fireplace design proves simplicity can be stunning. Stone installed along an entire wall commands attention in this light, neutral living room. The simple fireplace consists only of a firebox, leaving out a surround and mantel, which allows the details of the stonework to truly shine. The neutral furniture, wall color, and decor were carefully selected to not distract from the multitone stones. Blue accessories pick up on the gray-blue stones scattered through the stonework, adding dimension to the neutral room.

Firebox Frame

framed fireplace dark contrast white and black

Credit: Jean Allsopp

This white fireplace design serves as an elegant frame for a distinct black firebox. The lack of a mantel ensures that the dark firebox is the focus. Lantern-like fixtures on the sides of the hearth and the coffee table in the center of the room repeat the black of the firebox, giving it a cohesive look.

Antique Mantel

antique mantel

Credit: Mark Lohman

A 300-year-old mantel stands as a stately focal point in this Tuscan-inspired living room, where curves and decorative details are key features. The fireplace's large, open firebox creates an even greater dramatic flourish. Details throughout the room, such as the antique furnishings, warm color palette, and mix of patterns, set the perfect scene as the old-world mantel's new home. Similar curves are also seen in the flower-like design on the black gate that separates the firebox from the rest of the room. Curved molding around the base of the mantel adds detail and elegance.

Outdoor Fireplace Ideas

outdoor comfort fireplace living area

Credit: Alise O'Brien

A fireplace adds a comfortable, homey feel to this outdoor patio. The stone fireplace and walls contrast the wooden beams and ceiling but remain in step with the cozy, natural look. A narrow, raised hearth gives the fireplace a traditional look that takes up less floor space, leaving room for a wider walkway. A basic mantel, fabricated in the same stone as the fireplace, provides space for simple decoration without being too overbearing.

Large Fireplace Design

high ceiling stone fireplace

Credit: Brie Williams

Stretching from the lofted ceiling to the floor, this fireplace boasts gorgeous stonework and a strikingly simple wood mantel. A tall metal door, which rests on the wooden mantel as art, accentuates the fireplace's large, grand appearance. A metallic frame and solid band of stone subtly define the firebox.

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