The fireplace has always been the heart of the home, the place to gather and create memories, it's definitely one of my favourite spots in the house, but in today’s interiors, it’s also becoming the ultimate design statement, let’s be honest, the flicker of a fire and the "event" that is lighting the fire and warming up besdie it, deserves a captivating surround.
From texture to color, character, and zoning, tiles are transforming the way we frame our fires, sparking a whole new wave of fireplace ideas. Whether you’re drawn to the warmth of seventies-style zellige or the sleek curvature of a contemporary chimney breast, these tiled designs prove that the hearth can be both timeless and trend-forward.
1. 70's Brown
This open-plan bungalow centres around this striking fireplace clad in handmade Moroccan zellige tiles in a modern living room. With a hard nod to the seventies, Sophie Rowell, Founder of Côte de Folk, explains how the rich chocolate brown glaze adds depth and warmth to the space, “What makes it so special is how the light transforms it throughout the day. When sunlight streams in, the tiles shimmer and shift to a silvery hue, creating a subtle play of reflection that ensures the room never feels static or predictable.”
She continues, “We leaned into the warmth and tactile feel of the 1970s with the tile color choice, cork flooring, skirtings, and material palette.” As part of the fireplace, the bespoke bench seating on either side provides extra places to gather and relax, softened by cushions or styled with a plant.
2. Decorative Delft Tiles
There's nothing so wholesome as a traditional style living room with a feature of blue and white Delft tiles — they’re instantly recognizable. This is the home of Tom Cox, Principal at HÁM Interiors, and it was these tiles that kicked off the whole design concept of this space. “I’ve always liked the honesty of materials that have been around for centuries — Delft tiles and zellige are perfect examples. In our sitting room at home, the blue Delft tiles around the fireplace were already there when we moved in. The farmhouse dates back to the 17th century, and it became the starting point for the whole room.”
Opting for a living room color that picked up the same tone in the tiles, the fireplace doesn't just sit in the space; it becomes a natural part of it. Delft tiles have that hand-painted quality that brings life and texture, even when used sparingly.
A wicker tray of object will complete your fireplace look.
3. Traditional Charm
So, how about reinventing a traditional look? When designing this space, Sam Donnelly, founder of Mercantile and Merchant, felt strongly that, whilst it was a new addition, it should reference the traditional style that featured heavily in the original house. Sam tells me, “The older part of the property featured a lot of woodwork and charming detail, and we took our cue from this. The tile was another reference to the older part of the house, but we updated it with contemporary handmade tiles.”
Offering a nod of sympathy when adding to or reinventing a space allows for a good blend of interior design styles and often results in an overall timeless look. This works so well due to the reference being featured in such a central part of the space, not to mention the additional space now available to play with simply by raising the mantelpiece.
4. Material Play
Softened by the inviting warmth of velvet sofa seating, this living room by Stylesmiths pairs natural timber and textural tiles to create a refined focal point that feels both crafted and contemporary — a great way to make a living room feel timeless. The sleek vertical wood panelling around the fireplace introduces warmth and refinement. "Its grain direction emphasizes height and draws the eye upward. In contrast, the rough-hewn, earth-toned tiles that flank it add depth and rugged authenticity," explains Richard Misso, creative director of The Stylesmiths, showing appreciation of organic materials and handcrafted finishes. "Together, they establish a rich dialogue between polished and raw, natural and structured, preventing the feature wall from feeling flat or overly uniform."
The fireplace functions as an architectural anchor. "The matte tiles absorb light subtly, while the timber surface reflects it gently, producing a dynamic yet harmonious contrast under natural daylight and ambient evening light." The bold artwork with curved forms and deep, saturated hues further complements this balance, threading through tones found within the tiles and upholstery. This ensures the fireplace doesn’t just serve a functional role but also acts as a cohesive visual centrepiece for the entire room.
The space feels grounded and layered, yet sleek and smart. "Each material conversing tonally and texturally across the room results in a design that feels inviting yet sophisticated, with the tiled fireplace providing the perfect balance of earthiness and elegance," adds Richard.
5. Color Feature
Hauvette and Madani have made a daring design statement with this striking fireplace. Clad in vibrant blue mosaic tile shapes, it transcends function to become a true work of art — impossible to overlook and one you’ll find hard to forget.
The bold hue anchors the entire living and dining space, infusing it with energy, style, and personality. Surrounding it, the neutral palette and understated furnishings allow for the fireplace to shine as an undeniable focal point.
6. Curved Chimney Breast
Dappled tones of brown and white vertically laid tiles accentuate this chimney breast, highlighting the architectural curvature of the feature flue.
“This design creates a focal point in a room, and when clad in tiles such as our Kelly Hoppen Perfect Neutrals, it highlights the architectural detail," says Carly Allison, head of brand and product at Fired Earth. "This design uses subtle tonal variation to catch the eye and form soft architectural lines. By wrapping the tiles around the curve, the look feels sculptural, perfectly balancing modernity with warmth.”
The smooth beige walls and floor allow the fireplace and furniture to really stand out with their tactility. The feature tiles offer a touch of modern playfulness, whereas the other materials feel natural and raw, a contrast that works beautifully together. This also makes for the perfect small fireplace idea and will certainly create impact and depth to your home.
7. Integrated Seating
If you've got the space, then utilize it. Integrated seating or built-in sofa ideas, and a clear surface to style, are great features to implement where possible, and allow for a modern use of the space, either side of the fireplace, where you'll commonly find alcoves used for cupboard/shelving storage.
This example by Hauvette & Madani makes use of the architectural openness by providing a lounge-style fireside seating area softened by a chunky cushion, some artwork, and ambient lighting.
The seating area has a layer of wood, whereas the fireplace is clad floor-to-ceiling in square white tiles with a slight gloss finish where the light hits. This provides a clear use of zoning through material choice, and therefore a naturally sociable environment.
8. The Handmade Effect
Nothing says cozy like a wood-clad cabin housing a richly patterned type of sofa, bold paintings, and a woodburner at your feet. A small space like this is perfect for celebrating the fireplace, with everybody huddled around it. I'm picturing snow outside and heaps of blankets to hand, what could be better? What ensures this is the case is the backdrop and platform of handmade natural clay tiles to frame the fireplace and the rustic open box of seasoned logs.
The uneven tile surface provides character, depth, and movement, referencing the fact that they are handmade. The zellige tiles are glazed and fired at high temperatures, which makes them incredibly durable and heat-resistant — ideal for a fireplace.
"What I like most is their texture; every tile is slightly different. The glaze pools and thins, the edges aren’t perfect, and that irregularity catches the light beautifully. Even in a single colour, there’s movement and depth — it feels alive, almost elemental, which is exactly what you want near a fire,” says Tom.
9. Pattern With a Purpose
This is the perfect example of how traditional global motifs can be reinterpreted to add character and warmth to contemporary interiors in order to get the best out of those tile trends. The Bowery Hotel in New York City features a lobby with a fireplace framed in a mosaic of Moroccan geometric tiles.
“More than trying to make the Bowery look good, we wanted the lobby to feel good — and there’s nothing quite like the warmth of an oversized antique fireplace," says renowned hotelier, restaurateur, and designer, Sean MacPherson.
Sun-washed yellows, terracottas, and soft greens reference aged plaster, desert clay, and oxidized metal, while the pattern, intricate yet symmetrical, feels both traditional and graphic, striking a balance between vintage craftsmanship and urban edge. Set against the Bowery’s mix of aged wood, Persian-patterned rugs, and velvet seating, the tiled hearth becomes a design anchor that feels worldly and warm.
Add some tradition and style to your space with a Persian rug.
10. Textural Drama
Let's talk about the power of contrast. A chic monochrome color scheme will always be a classic choice; it's how far you take it that makes all the difference. This living room by Holly A Kopman, founder of Holly A Kopman Interior Design, is unapologetically bold, yet refined.
"I love when a fireplace becomes the crown jewel of the room," she says. Here, the sculptural three-dimensional black tile wraps the surround in texture and movement.
"It anchors the space with rhythm and energy,” Holly adds, and it's totally true — the striking statement creates interest and detail, the layers of materials speak to one another, complementing as they go.
FAQs
Are Ceramic Tiles Suitable for a Fireplace?
In short, yes. Head of creative at Ca’ Pietra, Grazzie Wilson explains why, “Ceramic tiles are an excellent choice for a fireplace surround because they are durable, heat-resistant, and easy to maintain. They hold their color beautifully over time, even with regular heat exposure, and their glazed surface makes them simple to clean.”
Whether used as plain field tiles or as part of a decorative motif, ceramics offer a timeless finish that feels effortlessly at home in both period and contemporary settings.
Today’s tiled fireplaces are so much more than a source of warmth; they’re a chance to make a real design statement and showcase your personality. Tiles bring texture, color, and unique style, turning this essential part of the home into a focal point to celebrate, looking both timeless and on-trend.
Whether you’re reviving a traditional surround or creating something fresh and contemporary, the key is finding that sweet spot between comfort and character. No matter how design trends evolve, there’s nothing quite like the glow of a fire framed in tiles you love.
