Whether you're looking to nicely accentuate a piece of traditional architecture original to your home or add some much-needed warmth and ambiance, incorporating a fireplace in your living room can create a natural focal point and add value to your home.
If you're constantly looking for additional storage within your home, built-in shelving helps to make your fireplace both practical and attractive. For those who love to curl up with their family for a movie in their living room, mounting a television above your fireplace helps to make it more of an inviting entertainment hub. Add a sense of rustic farmhouse charm to your fireplace by installing a reclaimed wood mantel. Update classic brick fireplaces by painting the brick in a modern and fresh paint tone.
Learn everything you need to know from our design experts, including how to lay out your living room with a fireplace and what fireplaces are currently in style.
Utilize Built-in Shelving
To maximize storage and showcase decor, built-in shelves surrounding the fireplace are an excellent addition to living rooms. Ideal for modern or eclectic styles, these functional and eye-catching shelves can host decorative items, books, or plants. To incorporate this idea, choose the right color, design, and materials that match your existing interior and mount the shelves symmetrically.
Introduce a Mantel
Elevate your fireplace's aesthetic by adding a mantel, perfect for hanging artwork, displaying family photos, or arranging decorations. Ideal for living rooms or dining areas with classic or contemporary styles, an elegant mantel enhances the room's atmosphere. Complement your fireplace design with a statement mantel in wood, stone, or metal, and accessorize it with unique objects that reflect your personality.
Select a Statement Fireplace Screen
Protect your living space in style by choosing a decorative fireplace screen that doubles as a safety feature. Suitable for traditional or modern living rooms, a statement screen adds character and complements your fireplace's design. Opt for screens with intricate patterns, bold colors, or unique materials. To apply this idea, ensure the screen is sturdy, easy to clean, and compatible with your fireplace's measurements.
Position a Mirror Above
Create an illusion of a larger, brighter space by hanging a mirror above your fireplace. This versatile idea works well in living rooms, dining areas, or bedrooms with various aesthetic styles. Select a frame that complements your mantel and room decor while also reflecting natural light. To achieve a balanced look, ensure the mirror's size and height are proportional to your fireplace.
Combine Textures and Materials
Revamp your fireplace by incorporating a variety of materials like brick, wood, and metal to create a visually appealing design. Suitable for eclectic or industrial-style living rooms, this approach adds depth and character to your space. Combine these elements thoughtfully by choosing contrasting colors, textures, and patterns that harmonize with your room's overall aesthetic and atmosphere.
Incorporate a TV
Upgrade your living area by mounting a TV above the fireplace, creating a functional entertainment center. This space-saving solution works best in contemporary or modern living rooms. To integrate this idea efficiently, ensure proper ventilation, install a tilting mount for optimal viewing angles, and conceal cables for a polished appearance.
Tile the Fireplace Surround
Transform your fireplace into a stunning visual feature by tiling the surround with intricate patterns, bold colors, or unique textures. Ideal for living rooms or dining areas with various design schemes, this update adds a touch of personality and charm. To properly apply this idea, choose high-quality, heat-resistant tiles and consult a professional tiler for installation and advice.
Insert a Fireplace Upgrade
Enhance efficiency and upgrade your outdated fireplace while maintaining its charming traditional appearance by installing a fireplace insert. This practical update is suitable for living spaces where improved energy efficiency is desired. Seek professional advice on selecting the right insert for your fireplace type and ensure proper installation to guarantee safety and efficiency.
Refresh the Brick
Modernize your living space by giving dated brick fireplaces a fresh coat of paint. Ideal for dining areas or living rooms leaning toward a contemporary look, refreshing the brick creates a clean and bright atmosphere. To successfully apply this update, clean and repair the brickwork, choose heat-resistant paint, and apply it in thin, even coats.
Opt for Reclaimed Wood Mantel
Add warmth, rustic charm, and a sense of history to your fireplace by incorporating a reclaimed wood mantel. Ideal for farmhouse or industrial-themed living rooms, this unique, eco-friendly enhancement creates a cozy atmosphere. To apply this idea, source a reclaimed wood beam from a local distributor, ensure proper mounting and sealing, and accessorize it with your favorite personal items.
Provide Hearth Seating
Add warmth and elegance to your living room with a seating arrangement surrounding a sleek fireplace. Ideal for modern spaces with a hint of classic charm, this idea includes a sectional sofa with vibrant pillows, a blue leather ottoman, and blue chairs around a wooden table. Create an inviting atmosphere for intimate conversations or relaxation with the help of a wooden stool, a wall-mounted flower photo, and plush pillows.
Bring in Greenery
Introduce life, color, and nature into your living room with plants or flowers near the fireplace. Perfect for classic spaces with a touch of modernity, this idea features a wicker basket with a vibrant plant, an attractive chess table, and rattan lounge chairs with red cushions. Combine elegance with coziness using a plush gray rug, ornate chair, and a charming doll to create a serene atmosphere.
Install a Gas Fireplace
Upgrade your wood-burning fireplace to a clean, low-maintenance gas alternative for easy remote-control operation. Ideal for contemporary living spaces with intellectual appeal, this idea features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, elegant wicker furniture, and an abstract painting. Create a harmonious seating area with rattan chairs, a blue stool near the fireplace, and a tree view in the background for a serene atmosphere.
Embrace Bold Colors
Create a striking focal point with a contrasting color scheme that highlights your fireplace. Ideal for modern living spaces, this idea includes a spacious blue couch, black chair, blue and silver coffee table, and a captivating white and blue painting. Complete the vibrant scene with a marble fireplace, flat-screen TV, and a bold blue and purple rug for an engaging atmosphere.
Include a Decorative Fireback
Enhance your fireplace wall with a unique fireback that not only protects but also adds style. Ideal for cozy living spaces, this idea showcases a gray couch with white pillows, white ceramic side table, gray chairs, and a chandelier. Accent the room with a vibrant plant in a wicker basket, a black TV, and a beige throw for a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Place a Fireplace Candelabra
Illuminate your non-working fireplace with a candelabra for an elegant and inviting atmosphere. Perfect for sophisticated living spaces, this idea includes white couches, a fireplace with a gold mirror, flickering candles, and a cozy coffee table. Introduce vibrant flowers on the mantel, a lush potted plant on the windowsill, and a comfy brown ottoman to complete the tranquil ambiance.
Adopt a Minimalist Approach
Embrace a minimalist fireplace design for a sleek, modern aesthetic in contemporary living spaces. This idea highlights the living room with a white couch, black coffee table, red square painting, and a striking black stove hood. Add a touch of harmony by positioning a gray couch, white table lamp, and black shoe basket within the room for a stylish yet welcoming space.
Incorporate Stone Veneer
Enhance your fireplace with a natural stone veneer for a timeless, elegant look. Ideal for luxurious living spaces, this idea showcases a brown leather couch, yellow couch, coffee table with a vase of flowers, and a striking marble fireplace. Complement the warm color palette with textured stone for a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere.
Introduce a Fireplace Grate
Add a decorative fireplace grate for a functional yet stylish way to burn logs. Perfect for elegant living spaces, this idea features a captivating marble floor, pristine fireplace with statues, orange couch with blue pillow, and a gold mirror. Accent the room with a vase of flowers, striped carpet, and chic paintings to create a refined atmosphere for relaxation.
Add a Wood Storage Niche
Combine function and style with a built-in wood storage niche near your fireplace. Ideal for modern and cozy living spaces, this idea features an inviting fireplace, plush couches, coffee table, rattan chair, white stool, and vibrant plant in a vase. Complete the room with elegant paintings and a curtain-adorned large window for a harmonious setting perfect for relaxation and conversation.
Design a Two-sided Fireplace
Maximize warmth and ambiance by creating a unique focal point with a double-sided fireplace, perfect for open concept living spaces or adjacent rooms. Ideal for modern and minimalist styles. Complete the look with sleek furniture, pops of color, and cozy seating. A fireplace rug adds warmth, texture, and protection.
Experiment with Herringbone Brickwork
Elevate your fireplace's visual appeal by incorporating herringbone brickwork, suitable for elegant and spacious living rooms. Enhance the aesthetic with cozy couches, statement chairs, and eye-catching artwork. Don't forget a dazzling chandelier to complete the atmosphere of sophistication.
Use a Fireplace Guard
For style and safety, add a decorative fireplace guard to keep children and pets safe. Perfect for cozy living rooms with warm color palettes. Arrange vibrant couches, patterned chairs, and potted plants to create a tranquil environment. A gold mirror can be a whimsical addition to the space.
Display Artwork Above
Personalize your living room's focal point by displaying artwork above the fireplace. Ideal for spaces with stone fireplaces and rattan chairs. Add in white furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and potted plants for a classic and refreshing atmosphere.
Choose a Cast Iron Surround
Enhance your fireplace's design with a traditional and elegant touch using a cast iron surround. Perfect for cozy and stylish living rooms with wooden floors and an inviting ambience. Include comfortable seating, wooden and black furniture, and vibrant upholstery for a sophisticated finish.
Opt for a Bioethanol Fireplace
Bring clean, eco-friendly warmth to your living room with a bioethanol fireplace, a versatile choice that requires no chimney. Best in spacious, modern living rooms with white furniture and bright pops of color. Complement the design with natural elements, such as wooden chairs and potted plants.
Place a Fireplace Rug
Protect your floor and add style to your living room with a fireplace rug. Ideal for rustic, wooden living spaces with charming fireplace mantels, rocking chairs, and warm surrounding elements. Mix in some botanical pieces and handwritten notes for added appeal.
Consider a Corner Fireplace
Maximize space and create a cozy atmosphere in small living rooms with a corner fireplace. Arrange white couches, entertainment systems, and elegant accessories like glass coffee tables and vibrant flowers to complete the inviting and harmonious look of the space.
Craft a Faux Fireplace
Add architectural interest to your living room with a faux fireplace, acting as a clever focal point without producing heat. Perfect for spaces with white couches, large mirrors, and cozy blankets. Include a blend of modern and warm elements to create a comfortable sanctuary.
Integrate a Pellet Stove
Add a cozy, rustic touch while being energy-efficient with a pellet stove. Ideal for elegant living rooms featuring captivating white chandeliers, plush white couches, and picturesque views. Blend in natural and contemporary elements, such as tree stump stools and cozy blankets for the perfect ambience.
Caroline Patterson
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
