Home Home Design & Decor 13 Fireplace Tile Ideas That Will Make Your Hearth the Star of the Room Add color and texture to your hearth. By Heather Bien Heather Bien Heather Bien is a writer experience contributing to some of the industry's top lifestyle, design, and wedding websites. She's covered event planning ideas and tips, weddings both traditional and eclectic, and she brings her love and knowledge of art history and design to every celebration she covers. Editorial Guidelines Published on December 9, 2024 Close Photo: Morgante Wilson Architects If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace that has room for tile, then you have a chance to elevate your space with color, texture, and a touch of style. You can play with colorful zellige tiles or choose a vintage-inspired tile. There are hand-painted mural tiles or textured imported artisan tiles. The options are nearly endless, and each type of tile adds a different look to your space. Whether your tastes lean modern or classic, there's a fireplace tile that will create a stylish surround in your home. Want some inspiration to start daydreaming about your fireplace glow-up? We're sharing some interior designer-approved fireplace tile ideas for every style. 50 Gorgeous Fireplace Ideas for a Cozy, Refined Space 01 of 13 Shimmering Metallic Tile Morgante Wilson Architects In an otherwise neutral room, shimmering metallics take center stage. These bronze-gold tiles reflect the light in the space beautifully, adding to the fireplace's glow. The straight rows of vertical tiles give it a modern edge. 02 of 13 Vintage-Inspired Tile Nadia Palacios Architecture The simplicity of this wood-framed fireplace may be pretty, but it needed something to give it a bolder look. This Brazilian handmade tile in the most mesmerizing shade of teal blue adds texture and depth to the fireplace, making it a centerpiece rather than an afterthought. 03 of 13 Hand-Painted Tile BVA BarnesVanze Architects / Anice Hoachlander For a completely unexpected take on tile and art, combine the two. Choose a hand-painted design to add movement and color to an otherwise solid fireplace tile surround. "The hand-painted tile on this fireplace surround creates a focal point with the custom cherry blossom design," says Miriam Dillon, an associate at BVA BarnesVanze Architects. 04 of 13 Salvage Tiles Terry Stewart Interior Design Associates If you have original tile around your fireplace, consider yourself fortunate. And, even if you don't, you can try using salvage tile. Glazed tile from the 19th and early 20th centuries has a range of colors that are absolutely stunning and instantly recognizable. "The tiles in this 1890s house are glazed ceramic, which is an excellent choice for fireplace surrounds," says Terry Stewart, owner and principal of Terry Stewart Interior Design Associates. "They are heat-resistant, easy to clean, durable, and come in a countless variety of colors and finishes." 05 of 13 Patterned Tile Melichar Architects There is a seemingly endless array of tiles on the market, and there's room to get creative when pairing various tiles and mantels. "Pairing a patterned tile with an ornate wood mantel creates a focal point in this primary bedroom, and the hard edges of the geometric tiles present a unique balance with the curved lines of the carved mantel," says Diana Melichar, president of Melichar Architects. 06 of 13 Balance Light and Dark Brass Hill Design A fireplace can look like a black box that can either be enhanced or hidden. "Depending on the mood we want to foster in the space, we can embrace that depth of the black box, or we can work to counterbalance it. It’s often why we hang a mirror above a mantel since it creates a positive light—reflective counterweight to a cavernous fireplace," Mariel Goodson, principal at Brass Hill Design says. In this space, she added blue and white pinwheel-painted terracotta tile to add a cheerful contrast to the darkness of the black box. 07 of 13 Arts and Crafts Tile Brass Hill Design While you don't have to stick strictly to the provenance of your home when choosing fireplace tile, it can be a helpful guide, particularly when you're feeling overwhelmed by decisions. This fireplace has an Arts and Crafts era-inspired custom design that honors the home's history while working within the modern palette. "I don’t believe you have to be held hostage by a home’s history, but weaving threads of continuity can help unify an old house that has undergone decades—if not centuries—of changes," says Goodson. 08 of 13 Reclaimed Accent Tiles Madeline Tolle / Jo Lyle & Co. If you like the idea of using salvage tile around a fireplace—or you have some, but not all, the original tiles intact—consider using reclaimed tiles in smaller quantities throughout a fireplace design. "Find vintage tiles you love and add them as an accent because you likely won't find the quantity you need for the whole surround," says Johanna Lyle, principal and owner of Jo Lyle & Co. Just a few tiles can add color, movement, and a story to your space. 09 of 13 Artful Terrazzo Tile Moriah Frantz Designs If you want your fireplace to read more like a sculptural moment than tile, look for tile options where the grout lines are less visible. "I love when a fireplace is shown off as an artful structure. A more organic look like terrazzo will give off the seamless look which is the best way to add wow to your fireplace, and even maybe a great conversation piece," says Moriah Frantz, founder and principal designer of Moriah Frantz Designs. With this fireplace, the terrazzo tile takes on an almost ribbon-like effect, defying the material's actual nature. 10 of 13 Color-Coordinated Tiles Urban Staging For a fireplace that still has its original tile, make it work within your new design by echoing its colors throughout your space. "With your décor, try to pick out one color from the tile to incorporate into the design of the room. This helps the fireplace fit in better and ties the entire room together," says Amanda Wiss, founder of Urban Staging. 11 of 13 Zellige Tile DATE Interiors / Kirsten Francis For major drama, go for the hand-crafted gloss and texture of zellige tile. "We often choose zellige tile for fireplace surrounds because they're durable, heat-resistant, handcrafted, and beautiful," Molly Torres Portnof, founder of DATE Interiors says. She suggests tiling the entire wall for more visual interest and drama, as well as tiling the hearth to create a more continuous look. 12 of 13 Herringbone Tile in Moody Blues Morgante Wilson Architects The dark blue wainscoting on this library's walls eliminates any need for a mantel—it already has plenty of drama. But the herringbone tile is what makes the fireplace the crown jewel of this room. The monochromatic, moody blues add an eye-catching element to this gorgeous space. 13 of 13 Brick Tile Andrea Sinkin Design / Julia Dags Want to give a classic red brick fireplace a fresh tile look? Paint the brick, the grout, and everything in between a crisp, clean white. Depending on the paint's finish, it can take on the look of tile from just a few feet away. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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