Living Room Fireplace Ideas - 35 ways to create a focal point (2023)

Nothing says welcome in the cozy hygge vibes like a crackling fire. Traditionally, the fireplace was the focal point of a living room layout, although in modern times it has been replaced by the television...

Creative living room fireplace ideas can completely transform your lounge, anchoring the space in any season and bringing warmth in winter. Whether you're restoring an old fireplace, putting a new one where one was missing, or just faking it until you finish it, there are many ways to ensure your fireplace gets attention.

Even if you don't have a working fire, a mantel (the mantel and frame) designed with stacked logs, candles, plants, and artwork can still make a decorative statement in your homeLiving room.

Ideas for the fireplace in the living room

1. Fake it with a disguise and an accent color

If you don't have a chimney, you can buy oneVeneering, at Screwfix(opens in new tab)or B&Q and distract with a bold accent color. As shown above, adding some light paint to the walls, fairy lights, artwork and candles can give the impression of a fireplace without an actual roaring fire.

This is an affordable way to create a faux fireplace, costing around £200. It's a relatively easy way to improve the flow of space, thoughDesign living room. And it offers plenty of opportunities to style/mantle with the mantel as the seasons change.

2. Obtain a used fireplace

Why not restore an old fireplace? Keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle and you might be able to bag one for free so it only costs you time and the price of some paint and DIY tools.

Speak withideal home, DIY lover and former Girls Aloud starKimberley Walsh(opens in new tab)said she was surprised at how easy it was. She bought one second hand at a flea market and completely restored it, building up the ribbing and partially reshaping it before priming, sanding and repainting.

"At first I thought there was no way I was going to make this look good, and actually it wasn't as hard as I thought it was," she says. “There are so many tutorials online now if you're not sure how to do things. It's in our main living area because it's a really nice Victorian room with high ceilings but the fireplace they had must have been built in when the original one was taken out and it just didn't give it the recognition it deserves had.'

3. Make it the focal point and hide the TV

A large chimney breast, white abstract artwork, and dark color make a big statement here, and the TV just disappears. "Whether you're a TV-over-the-fireplace or art-over-the-fireplace girl, adding a centerpiece with height and visual weight is the best way to create an eye-catcher," Jenna say and Mariana atInner Fuchs(opens in new tab).

“Often we have open alcoves on either side of the mantel, so take every opportunity to utilize that space by adding built-in shelving or bookshelves. A fireplace also needs to be grounded for maximum visual impact. So if you don't have a stove, make one with tiles or stacks of books/plants.'

4. Go for a structured look

This fireplace has a gorgeous boho look with lots of natural textures and is sure to look radiant and inviting once lit. They have the painted wood paneled walls, marble, natural wood candlesticks, the stone of Buddha, ceramic vessels and a beaded chandelier. All of these tactile materials have been skillfully layered onto what may have been a fairly plain and ordinary marble fireplace and hearth.

5. Add a touch of royalcore

Elevate your traditional fireplace by taking inspiration from the Bridgerton-inspired Royalcore. Pale blue walls, gold-framed mirrors and artwork, DIYWall covering ideasand a mix of old and new in terms of furniture and soft furnishings will take a fireplace to a new level.

6. Set accents with a modern design

Create a wow moment with a contemporary electric fireplace as part of your homeOpen plan living room ideas. The fire cut out of the wall means there is still separation between the different areas, but it also creates a sense of space ideal for entertaining.

7. Update the chimney breast with geometric tiling

Bring personality and chic Parisian cafe style with solid color tiles like thesewalls and floors(opens in new tab). They have a subtle matte finish and can be arranged in a variety of ways, be it a checkerboard pattern or your own unique pattern.

8. Adopt symmetry

If you want your living room to be a calming place to relax, think about symmetry when coming up with living room fireplace ideas. Arrange wood in neat columns on either side of the fireplace, group candles, and arrange plants and artwork for a sense of balance that's easy on the eye.

9. Make a statement with color blocking

Color lovers, don't neglect your chimney! It's a prime opportunity to throw in some fun color and we love the combination of bright green, yellow and pink here, coupled with a geometric rug. A fresh coat of paint is always an asset if you want to shake things up without spending too much money.

10. Arrange the furniture to embrace the fire

Rearranging your furniture so that key pieces are aligned with the fire is a great way to get your fire noticed without spending money. "Arrange your furniture to encircle the fireplace rather than avoid it," says Sally Denning, interiors stylist.@Blackshorestyle(opens in new tab). You don't have to completely limit your view of the TV, but a few small tweaks and a slight shifting of the sofa legs will help the fireplace stand out.

11. Style a mantel like a pro

"Symmetrical mantels - say, with an identical lamp at each end - can feel very formal," comments the interior designerNicki Bamford-Bowes(opens in new tab). “Great in certain spaces and situations like a dining room or a large hallway. However, to create a more relaxed vibe in spaces like a lounge, I prefer a more informal, asymmetrical mantel.” Play around with arranging vases, artwork, seasonal foliage, and lots of candles for ambient light, which is essential to achieving the goalcozy living room ideas.

12. Make a feature of a chimney breast

"Try to paint the fireplace a contrasting color to the walls, wallpaper any walls or alcoves except for the mantel," suggests Ruth Mottershead, creative director.Kleine Greene(opens in new tab). "Or you could opt for a floor-to-ceiling color that envelops the fire surround and mantel and lets the dark fireplace or decorative tile highlight a room."

13. Keep it simple for a contemporary design

"A built-in stove gives the illusion of a 'fire window,'" says Declan Kingsley-Walsh, Managing Director,Morso UK(opens in new tab). "So keep things minimal so the fire stays the focus."

This type of living room fireplace ideas will work in almost any room, contemporary or traditional, as it all depends on how you dress it. it is a great option forsmall living room ideasalso because it doesn't unduly distract the eye and takes up the space.

14. Make a modern fireplace the focal point

Enjoy the freedom to scale in a contemporary layout. Literally make a big impact with an oversized fireplace design in your homemodern living room ideas.

“Glass panels on stoves are now taller and wider, allowing you to really enjoy the beauty of a log fire compared to more traditional designs,” says Morso's Declan.

"Stoves can be placed almost anywhere as long as the requirements of the stove are met and there is an extractor, which means the focal points move away from the traditional fireplace."

15. Welcome wallpaper to frame a fireplace

Draw attention to the fire within living room fireplace ideas by framing the surround with a decorative paper. "Add toLiving room wallpaper ideasto the chimney breast in an otherwise subdued scheme, it makes a statement and creates an element of surprise,” suggests Little Greene's Ruth.

16. Give an original fireplace a makeover

With the right materials, you can upcycle anything and make a living room perfect. “Most fireplaces are made of painted wood, cast iron, tile or stone. So if you want to paint them - and a contrasting color always helps to emphasize that architectural feature - use a coat of primer on all surfaces,” advises Little Greene's Ruth.

"If you have a very sculptural or cast iron fireplace, then paint the walls and the fireplace itself the same color - this reduces the bold nature of the ironwork or molding but allows the detail to show through through the highlights and shadows displayed when light hits it." .'

17. Make a fireplace seasonal

“Create your living room fireplace ideas to match the season,” says interior designer Sally. “Put candles in the grate in spring and summer or add seasonal foliage. If you're heading into fall, stack with logs - they're great for adding texture and can be placed in a log basket on one side in the winter."

18. Don't overwhelm the wood stove

"With a contemporary fireplace, try to keep the area around it minimal with a neutral color palette," says Morso's Declan. “This allows the warm, dancing flames of the stove to take center stage. For more traditional stoves, expose the original brick or opt for decorative tiles to create a warm, cozy lookrustic living room ideas.'

19. Drop your disguise

Not sure what to do with the tired old wood surround on your living room fireplace ideas? If you feel bold, paint it in a bright color and it will sing. Try incorporating your chosen color in accents like throw pillows and rugs and smaller upcycled furniture pieces for a more cohesive look.

Think carefully about your choice of color. If you have a cool neutral like gray on the walls, go for a rich sunny yellow, teal, or fuchsia pink. If you're going with a warmer neutral, try an on-trend brick or terracotta red, a sage or olive green, or even plum.

20. Go gray everywhere

One way to make a fireplace look less dated or obtrusive is to paint it an on-trend color and use that color on the wall behind it as well. This cocooninggray living room ideais trendy and makes this mantel chic. It's also light enough that you won't lose the fine detail of carved details.

21. Make sure it is to scale

This is important when deciding on a replacement mantel or installing a new fireplace where none previously existed. "If you have a lot of space and high ceilings, you might want to go for a tall fireplace with an overhanging mantel, an ornate mantel and a wide chimney extension," advises Owen of Renaissance London.

“If your space is smaller, such as in a bathroom or guest room, you may want to choose something more flush with the wall. Focus on ornate posts or tiles around the grate.'

22. Turn a chimney breast into a home office

Here's a very clever solution to a dead fireplace - turn it into a desk or dressing table. Deeper wardrobes sit in the niches created by the flue, while adding a shelf to the fireplace mantel makes an instant workspace or beauty bar. And the fire pit becomes a place to stash a stool—it's the home office you've always wanted but barely takes up space.

23. Reduce a disused chimney

Transform a simple hole in the wall into an impressive feature that reflects the style of your property. ForCoastal living room ideas, look for rustic materials. Raw concrete cavity and a stone base is a good place to start.

24. Use reclaimed wood for authenticity

A large open hearth and fireplace may look authentic, but they're also rather impractical. Inrural living room ideas, consider caulking the chimney so there are no drafts and instead use an efficient wood-burning stove as it delivers heat directly into the room much better than an open firewood.

A simple reclaimed beam is a rustic alternative to a traditional mantel while also evoking the age of the home.

25. Fake it in a new build with this instant fix

While this isn't the case for all new builds, some can feel a little featureless. So if you're looking for a focal point to replace the TV, a fireplace mantel like this,£755, Next Home(opens in new tab), could be the retrofit solution you've been looking for. It instantly fits a flat wall and you can add your choice of electric range or fire pit to complete the look.

26. Keep things elegant with marble

Marble is the perfect choice for a fireplace. It is heat and fire resistant so you can make fires all winter long without worrying about damage. Marble is perfect for creating a sleek, modern look. It can be expensive, but marble's versatility and durability make it a great investment.

27. Add character with exposed brick

If you've inherited a fireplace that already comes with a heating element, rather than yanking it out right away, see if it's still safe to use and work with it.

This vintage heating element and exposed brick fireplace add character to this otherwise modern living room. It is a beautiful eye-catcher that provides a reference to the history of the house.

28. Create a modern, industrial look

Has your original chimney been ripped out? It's relatively affordable to commission your own cast concrete for an environment that has all the character or marble or stone without the expense. Orange pops will flare upneutral living room ideasif the stove itself does not flicker.

29. Match your fireplace to your walls

Chimneys can sometimes stand out for the wrong reasons. So if you want your color to blend in with the environment, paint it to match the walls around it. This is especially effective if you opt for a deep color rather than a pale neutral hue. Pick the tone in soft furniture, but make sure there's enough "light" to contrast with the shadow to avoid overkill.

30. Work in a wood stove

Fireplace not in use? Install a wood stove. It will create a wonderfully cozy centerpiece and warm the entire area. Make sure you enlist the help of a trained contractor who will ensure the structure is safe and up to the latest regulations.

The results, as seen here in this quaint farmhouse living room, are stunning and can be enjoyed from all corners of the room. "Whether your living room is big or small, a wood stove always makes it cozy," says Declan from Morso.

31. Dress up a mantel

Large open fireplaces, or inglenooks as they are often called, are the ultimate treat for country style homes. They were originally used in homes for cooking and for people to gather for extra warmth, but these days they're purely decorative and atmospheric.

Their stately appearance is the epitome of rustic comfort and looks good between wooden beam ceilings and comfortable sofas. In order for the fire to work safely with a good draft through the chimney, the room must be adequately ventilated at all times.

Be sure to learnhow to clean and care for your chimney and heating stove in time for winter.

32. Personalize the mantel

Have you ever wondered where the living room furniture was facing before the TV days? Though many have been neglected or ripped out entirely, the fireplace is regaining prominence thanks to our current love of all things heritage.

Whether as a place for your wine glass at a party or a place for a family portrait, the mantel itself has long reflected every era of design. Using a bare mantel to display your favorite objects is a surefire way (get it?!) to cheer you up on a dull, dreary day.

Select specific items to make a statement - oversized letters to spell out children's names look great, or use the wall above to place a large format print and leave the mantle bare.

33. Fill in the gaps with logs

Fill an unused chimney withLog storage ideasfor an eye-catching display. Firewood is making a rustic style statement this season. Stacked and styled with an interior designer's eye, storing this humble heat source is also the “hot” new way to bring a structural element into the winter home.

34. Light your fire

An open brick fireplace surround is a popular decorative fireplace style these days. It demands attention, adds texture and works well not only with rustic schemes but also with modern ones as it fits the industrial trend.

It looks particularly good in this relaxed living room as it provides a focal point and balances the eclectic scheme. When your fireplace is not in use, light up the fireplace with a whimsical novelty LED letter light for an added highlight.

35. Adorn your fireplace with collected leaves

Give those Sunday afternoon strolls extra purpose by taking the opportunity to forage in the hedges for pretty foliage to decorate your fireplace. Put your secateurs in your pocket and keep an eye out for ivy, rosehip, eucalyptus, yew and boxwood cuttings. They not only look pretty, but also serve as kindling.

The time-honoured and traditional fireplace was once a necessity to heat a room, but in today's world they can be seen more as a calming indulgence and pleasure. From faux gas and electric fires to rustic wood stoves and roaring inglenook fireplaces, there is sure to be a style and type to suit any style of living room, bedroom, kitchen or even bathroom.

How to set up a living room with a fireplace in the middle?

"Try to position your seating so that it surrounds the hearth while still leaning toward the TV," says Sam Hood, co-founder and chief creative officer atAMARA(opens in new tab).'So you get the best of both worlds, embracing both the modern and traditional focuses.'

Should I buy a restored fireplace or a reproduced fireplace?

A beautiful fireplace may be a must today, but it's a sad fact that homeowners couldn't yank it out fast enough in the 1970s and 1980s. This has resulted in many older homes missing their original fireplace ideas for the living room. So if you're looking to restore them, is it best to seek out an old fireplace salvaged from a property of a similar age, or buy a new one?

"Restoration can be an extremely rewarding and challenging process, from procurement to installation, but the result is a true piece of history within the substance of your home," says Owen of Renaissance London. “Alternatively, specifying a reproduction chimney gives you the freedom to create something entirely new. It can be made to look aged whilst retaining all the details and personalization you could wish for.'

How do I make my fireplace a year-round attraction?

"During the summer, a stove or fire remains a functional design element that enhances the aesthetics of any space, even if it's not used regularly," emphasizes Declan von Morso. “Keep logs and fire tools close to your living room fireplace ideas – no matter what the season – they add interest and keep the fireplace feeling homey all year round.”

"For non-functioning fireplaces with open cavities, use a cluster of white candles at different heights," says Interior Fox. “You can light them up and they give off a beautiful glow that mimics fire. Another affordable option is to stack books and plants neatly to create different heights within the cavity. Don't forget the mantel! Candles, ornaments and small vases with lots of greenery can do wonders for an empty mantel.”

Do fireplaces cause pollution?

While we love the cozy element that a wood burning living room fireplace brings, we also appreciate itClean Air Strategy 2019(opens in new tab), which aim to reduce domestic emissions to protect the environment and the health of the nation.

According to the government website, burning wood and charcoal in open fires and stoves accounts for 38% of the UK's primary emissions of particulate matter. The Clean Air Strategy 2019 saw plans to enact legislation to ban the sale of the most polluting fuels and ensure only the cleanest stoves are on sale by 2022.