Fireplace tile ideas can be used to frame or draw attention to a fireplace, add accent color to a room, give texture to an otherwise plain space—and to set the tone for an entire decorating scheme.
Whatever room you are looking for fireplace ideas for, there are tiles that will be the perfect choice. Best advice? Choose tiles that reflect your home’s style, if not its period, and if your fire perimeter is complex, don’t choose incredibly detailed fireplace tile ideas, which will struggle for attention.
Below, we look at the best fireplace tile options for every space.
fireplace tile ideas
Fireplace tile doesn’t have to be limited to a small portion of the ocean—it can be used to clad an entire wall in a contemporary home, match fireplace tiles for a cohesive look, or contrast them for drama. Whatever your preference, these fireplace tile ideas will inspire your scheme.
1. Create an elegant look with contemporary fireplace tiles
(Image credit: Cullifords)
The most impactful living room fireplace idea is to completely cover the chimney chest. This will work on a flush chimney chest, and is especially successful if the pattern created by the tiles is vertical, as in the marble tiles matching the books of the chimney chest. Match your fireplace chimney top to your fireplace and you’ll have a sleek, streamlined, yet fun finish.
Choose heat-resistant tiles – Most porcelain tiles should stand tall (although check with the manufacturer) and can be designed to mimic the look of other materials, such as marble and even wood.
Oliver Webb, Director of Cullifords advises that when choosing a material for your fireplace hearth, check with an expert regarding the required distances from the actual fire as well as its suitability for this type of application, as different surfaces will have different characteristics. .
2. Highlight a stove with herringbone tiles
(Image credit: Bert and May)
Fireplaces need a backboard of some sort to protect the wall behind – and tiles can be used to add color or texture to accentuate the tiles in the foreground. Here, the traditional-looking fireplace is complemented by the contemporary style of rustic brickwork.
Fireplaces can play an important role in creating a welcoming interior. This can be done either by making a bold statement, or minimalist by mirroring the style of the rest of the room, says Katie Thomas, founder of interior design firm KTM Design.
If you want to make an impact, choose patterned tiles or use designs with shapes that help grab your attention, such as a fishbone or fish scale. For a more compact design, choose simple, large tiles in a neutral color. Larger tiles are best for a minimalist look while smaller tiles are best for distinctive fireplaces.
3. Combine fireplace tiles with TV wall
(Image credit: Future)
In a small home, a fireplace can be combined with TV wall ideas – and tiling the entire wall can be practical, especially if you have young children, and lovely, especially if you use natural stone with intricate cracks and great colors, like in the room above.
Keep in mind that high-gloss finishes will reflect light to enhance a small room. “Common materials that can be used for fireplace tiles include ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, quartz and stone, all of which are durable and can withstand high temperatures,” says Katie Thomas, of KTM Design.
4. Use traditional fireplace tiles for color and texture
(Image credit: Future)
When we think of fireplace tile ideas, it is usually the tile that sits around the fireplace mantel or in the fireplace – the back of the fireplace itself is often overlooked, with the most common finish being the one.
However, using tiles – or in this case brick glides – within the fire pit itself can create a beautiful finish that’s perfect for perfectly decorative fireplaces, or for use with gas or bioethanol fires housed in a basket away from a tiled area (to keep it looking nice) . Always check the suitability of the tile you choose since gas and bioethanol fires are extremely hot.
5. Adding a contemporary touch to traditional architecture
(Image credit: Cullifords)
Contemporary treatments of fireplace tile ideas—like tiling the wall above and around the fireplace itself doesn’t have to be limited to modern homes—could really fit into traditional rooms, too.
If you want to make a statement on your fireplace, consider the beautifully painted or detailed surface on the wall above the fireplace. Adding a touch of glamor and sophistication, says Oliver Webb, director of Cullifords, the multicolored detailing in a surface like the one above will act as a stunning focal point.
6. Choose fireplace tile ideas to reflect light
(Image credit: Future)
Nothing about your home’s interior design has to be traditional—so if you have a small or dark room to remodel, or if you just want to make an impact, you’ve probably considered decorating it with mirrors—or in this room, a fireplace tile mirror.
Of course, these must be selected to ensure they can withstand the heat of the fire at such close proximity, but the effect, especially when layering artwork on the chimney chest, is well worth the effort.
7. Introduction of natural stone fireplace tiles
(Photo credit: Karen B. Wolf Interiors)
Every successful interior design scheme has an element of natural materials inside it and you can present it with stone shaped fireplace tile ideas. Marble or marble tiles
The heater box was already part of the house. We revamped the facade around the fireplace by painting the millwork a dramatic dark blue/black to create drama in the space. Interior designer Karen B. Wolff of Karen B. Wolfe Interiors says:
8. Source period fireplace tiles for an authentic look
(Photo credit: Annie Sloan)
Traditional fireplace ideas put the tile surround and fireplace center stage. Color and paint expert Annie Sloan suggests that “rooms with fireplaces are almost always designed so that the eye is drawn to the fireplace, so it’s important to consider color correctly.”
For this reason, it is essential that the fireplace tiles you choose fit the lifespan of the fireplace and the property itself. If you are not sure about the period of the house, it is really helpful to politely ask your neighbors to see if they have any original features in their house that you can look at. It’s the best way to find out, says Owen Basie of Renaissance London.
9. Give ranch greatness with fireplace tiles
(Image credit: Purple Cherry)
If you are looking for ideas for a grandeur farmhouse fireplace, such as the pointed chimney chest in this gorgeous room, it would be a good idea to choose a local stone, which complements other natural elements in the room such as beams. Doing so will add a lot of texture to the space, while the lighter stone tiles won’t overwhelm the space.
10. Input a pattern to a normal chart
(Image credit: CTD Tiles)
The fireplace acts as an attractive focal point in your home, a feature that will completely transform the overall look of your interior. Amanda Telford, Director of Marketing, CTD says:
Achieve a really cool look by grouping geometric squares into a monochromatic palette with period accents and Delft-inspired details. Complete the look by painting the shelf, walls, and ledges a stunning shade of Dutch blue for easy appeal.
Which tile looks good on the stovetop?
Tiles that look good on a fireplace include natural stone—marble for a sleek, modern look or authentic period feel, and granite or slate for a farmhouse feel—and porcelain, which can be designed to mimic the look of most other materials, including wood. Authentic antique fireplace tiles are a great addition to an old home as well.
Can any tiles be used on the stove?
Not all tiles are appropriate to pair with a working fireplace because high levels of heat will damage them, usually by cracking. It is always worth checking with the tile manufacturer before purchasing fireplace tile.
Is porcelain or ceramic a good choice for stoves?
Porcelain tile is a good choice for fireplaces – not all ceramic tiles are.
“All tiles are fired at temperatures in excess of 700°F/1300°C during production, so they are perfectly able to withstand the levels of heat that would be expelled by a wood-burning stove or stove,” says Colin Lincoln Evans of Tile Mountain.
‘However, while some ceramic tiles can Exposed to heat without being affected, it is advisable to choose more heavy-duty porcelain tiles (the most commonly used material for floor tiles) as they are likely to better withstand constant heating and cooling throughout the life of the tiles. Porcelain tiles—particularly full-bodied porcelain tiles that have a glaze that runs along the length of the tile—are harder, and if cut with a poker or tweezers, damage won’t show as easily as standard tiles with a surface coating.”
Joe Oliver, Stone and Ceramic Store Manager, agrees, “High-quality porcelain tiles are available in a wide range of finishes and are a great choice for tiling a fire perimeter.” The density of the clay and the high firing process used to make porcelain tiles result in a product that can withstand very high temperatures making it suitable for use in the fireplace setting. Tiles must be installed on a cement board using the correct tile adhesives, and while the tiles do not have to be in direct contact with an actual flame, they can be used to enclose a fire. Large-format slab tiles provide a contemporary finish with minimal grout lines.
What fireplace tile will not be easily damaged?
‘99.9% of porcelain tiles are suitable for use around fires, stoves and fireplaces and there are no restrictions on the size or design you choose. However, since wood stoves and stoves are prone to ash and soot formation, it’s best to choose tiles that have a satin or matte finish to reduce the risk of stains and scratches from accessories such as ash pans, says Colin Lincoln Evans of Tile Mountain.
“Tiles with these types of finishes are slightly stiffer than high-gloss polished tiles, and a harder surface layer will require much less effort when it comes to cleaning and maintaining.”
Should fireplace tiles be closed?
If you choose to use polished tiles in the vicinity of your fire, be sure to seal them off if necessary. The manufacturer’s instructions will specify whether or not tiles need to be sealed — tiles with this type of finish often require such a procedure to prevent them from staining, says Colin Lincoln Evans of Tile Mountain.
Most porcelain tiles are impervious to organic matter, and tiles with highly polished surfaces and porous tiles such as those built from natural stone such as limestone and slate will be susceptible to ash, soot, or erratic ember damage, so please stamp with them.”
Do fireplace tiles require specialized grout?
‘Use a heat-resistant adhesive and mortar,’ says Colin Lincoln-Evans of Tile Mountain. Most standard plasters and adhesives are suitable for use with underfloor heating systems and as such, they are durable enough to withstand intermittent radiant heat from wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. However, you may want to ensure the performance of your installation by choosing a specially formulated heat-resistant adhesive and mortar, especially if your tile forms a casing for a heat source that is in constant use.
As with tile surfaces, your grout joints run the risk of becoming stained and discolored due to ash and other residues associated with open fires, so it’s always a good idea to protect them. Grout joints within natural stone and polished tile fixtures will be sealed along with the tile itself if you go the sealing route, however, you can only protect grout.