Skip the intro · jump to the list ↓
Staring down a blank fireplace wall with zero clue where to even start? Same! There are a thousand tile options out there and picking one feels impossible, lol!
That’s exactly why this list exists. Hundreds of pins got scrolled through and only the ones that actually look doable in a real house made the cut, not some untouchable showroom.
Some of these are weekend projects. Others need a professional, but they’re still worth dreaming about, haha!
You’ll find indoor looks, outdoor builds, hearths, surrounds and even a few ideas for mounting a TV above the whole thing.
Under each one there are little details you actually want to know, plus a link to the full how-to.
Grab a coffee, scroll through and see which one makes you want to rip out your current mantel immediately, right?
FIREPLACE TILE IDEAS
Herringbone Marble Tile Fireplace
We’re starting off strong with herringbone marble.
Small marble tiles get set at an angle. That way the seams pull your eye straight up to the mantel.
Worth the argument, honestly, lol!
- The showstopper pick
- Marble runs about $12 per square foot
- A tile spacer keeps the angles honest
Zellige Tile Fireplace Wall
How so pretty is that zellige texture? Every single tile comes out slightly different, so the whole wall has this handmade wobble to it.
That imperfection is the entire point here, isn’t it?
- Imperfect on purpose
- Each tile is a little different
- Grout lines stay thin and clean
Black Slate Tile Fireplace
Black slate turns a living room into a cabin somewhere in the woods.
The rough texture hides smoke marks way better than glossy ever would. Practical and dramatic, what a combo, haha!
- The moody choice
- Hides soot better than smooth tile
- Works with a matte black mantel
White Subway Tile Fireplace
White subway tile is basically the little black dress of fireplace surrounds. It goes with absolutely everything!
Stack them straight or brick-lay them, either way this one never goes out of style.
This is the pick I’d recommend to a friend who’s scared to commit to anything bold, honestly a safe bet.
- The safe bet everyone loves
- Subway sets in a classic brick pattern
- Bright white bounces light around a room
Moroccan Patterned Tile Fireplace
Talk about talent! Moroccan patterned tile turns a plain fireplace into the focal point of the whole house.
This bold pattern got paired with busy curtains once and it was an immediate regret. The bold pattern means the rest of the room needs to stay simple.
- One statement wall, zero regrets
- Pattern tiles cost more per piece
- A sealant keeps the color from fading
Floor To Ceiling Tiled Fireplace
Floor to ceiling tile tricks a room into feeling taller than it is.
These tiled fireplace ideas read way more expensive than they cost. One tile size all the way up keeps things from looking busy.
Small detail, big payoff, lol!
- The tall and dramatic pick
- A laser level saves you from crooked rows
Blue Fish Scale Tiled Fireplace
Aww, how sweet is this fish scale pattern? The curved edges soften a fireplace that would otherwise feel pretty boxy.
Blue sounded risky at first, so it almost got skipped entirely. Turns out the gut instinct was wrong for once, lol!
- The curveball color
- Scalloped tiles need extra grout time
- Blue pairs nicely with brass hardware
Terracotta Tiled Fireplace Corner
It works especially well in a room with a lot of plants or natural wood furniture.
Even one small terracotta accent can warm up an entire corner!
- The warm earthy corner
- Terracotta is naturally heat resistant
Raised Brick Hearth Design
Four people have squeezed onto ours more than once, elbows and all!
The height also keeps stray sparks further from the rug. Function and looks in one build, somehow, right?
- The extra seat nobody expects
- Sits about 18 inches off the floor
- Reclaimed brick has more character
Stone Slab Hearth Extension
A stone slab hearth stretches the whole look wider without extra tile work.
One giant slab means almost no grout lines to scrub. No shame in loving low maintenance!
- The one slab wonder
- Cut to size at a stone yard
- Almost zero grout lines to scrub
Marble Hearth With Wood Mantel
Marble hearths paired with a plain wood mantel hit that cozy meets fancy balance so well. My own mantel is just a leftover beam and it still somehow works!
These fireplace hearth ideas earn their spot because the wood warms up cool marble instantly. Cheap fix, expensive result, lol!
- Fancy meets cozy
- A honed finish hides scratches
- Oak mantels darken nicely with age
Stacked Stone Outdoor Fireplace
Stacked stone outside makes a backyard feel like an actual destination.
The rough texture holds up against weather way better than smooth ever would. His pride and joy, apparently forever.
- The backyard destination builder
- Fieldstone is graded by weight
- Weatherproof mortar is worth the upgrade
Outdoor Fireplace With Pizza Oven
Who doesn’t love a pizza oven built right into the fireplace, am I right? It’s basically two backyard obsessions in one structure.
Between the fire, the pizza and the outdoor fireplace ideas everyone Pinterest saves, this build earns its spot on every wish list.
- Two backyard obsessions, one build
- Fits a 12 inch pizza stone
- Reaches 700 degrees for a crisp crust
Patio Fireplace With Built In Seating
Built in seating around a patio fireplace saves you from hauling chairs out every single time.
This is one of those fireplace ideas outdoor plans that actually gets used all season long. Not just for one summer party.
- No more hauling chairs outside
- Bench height matches standard patio furniture
- Cushions store in a nearby bin
Backyard Fireplace With String Lights
String lights around a backyard fireplace turn a regular Tuesday into something that feels like an event. These got strung up on a whim and now they are permanent!
It costs almost nothing compared to the rest of a build. The payoff is genuinely huge, haha!
- The cheapest upgrade on this list
- Warm white bulbs beat cool white every time
- Solar strands skip the extension cord
Painted Brick Fireplace Makeover
Painted brick is the fastest trick in the fireplace makeover ideas book.
White stays the classic pick, but deep charcoal is having a real moment. Either way, minimal effort, maximum bragging rights.
- Paint over the problem
- A masonry primer stops peeling
- Two coats usually covers old brick
Shiplap Fireplace Makeover Reveal
Shiplap reveals are all over the internet for a reason. They take a dated brick box and make it look like a whole new room!
The planks go on with a nail gun.
It’s the transformation everyone shows off first. Honestly they should, lol!
- The dramatic before and after
- Planks run about $2 each
- A nail gun cuts the project in half
Reclaimed Wood Fireplace Surround
Reclaimed wood brings texture and history that a smooth surround just cannot match.
Every plank carries its own knots, so no two builds look the same. His is basically a family heirloom now, haha!
- Wood with a past
- Barn wood is sold by the pallet
- A wire brush pulls out old grime
Built In Bookshelf Fireplace Surround
Built in bookshelves flanking a fireplace solve two problems at once, storage and style.
This is one of those fireplace surround ideas that makes a whole living room feel intentional instead of thrown together.
- Storage and style in one build
- Adjustable shelf pins fit any book height
- Crown molding ties the shelves to the mantel
Floating Shelves Around Mounted TV
Floating shelves around a mounted TV finish off a whole wall. My own shelves are half books, half plants, half chaos!
This layout wins for tv over fireplace ideas because the shelves balance the screen instead of stranding it. Nobody notices the TV first anymore, honestly.
- The wall that finally looks done
- Floating brackets hide inside the wall
- Cord covers keep cables out of sight
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida

