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25+ Stunning empty fireplace ideas that you’ll love

Too warm for a fire? No worries! Fill your empty fireplace with decorative pieces for a stunning feature piece.

Do you have an empty fireplace that you’ve filled in or that doesn’t get used? Well, look no further because I’ve got the perfect empty fireplace ideas!

Whether you’re wanting something that is decorative and matches the décor of your home or something a little more functional–there are so many things you can do. And while you’re at it, you could even spruce up your fireplace with a fresh lick of paint and new tiling.

Empty fireplaces can be filled with your favourite decor pieces, books, candles, woodblocks and more. And I’m here to show you that there are certainly endless possibilities when it comes to decorating your empty fireplace. I’m sure there are some ideas in here that you haven’t even considered before. So let’s dive into these inspirational empty fireplace ideas below.

1. Fairy lights

Fairy lights are one of my favourite ways of creating warmth and a cosy feeling in a home. And I love the effect that fairy lights give this empty fireplace. A similar glow to a real fire, without the upkeep – win-win! I also love the assortment of white pillar candles placed inside the fireplace area. I would love to put my feet up and relax in this space!

empty-fireplace-candles — Source: Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

2. Fabulous foliage

An empty fireplace is just perfect for displaying beautiful foliage in a large vase. You can also add foliage to the wooden mantle to bring things together nicely.

If you need a mantle hung up (and they can be seriously heavy) you will want a carpenter to install it correctly.

3. Woodblocks in an empty fireplace

This is one of my favourite ways to fill an empty fireplace, woodblocks! Adding blocks of wood to your empty fireplace will give an awesome fireplace look without having to worry about a live fire. An empty fireplace is also a great place to store firewood if you have an active fireplace in another area of your home. Genius!

4. Flickering flames

Candles are another one of my favourite ways to decorate an empty fireplace. I love when different candle pillar sizes are placed inside a fireplace and provide a magnificent glow to the dark space. What a magical set-up indeed!

5. Dried foliage

Simple and elegant styling with so much character. The arrangement of pine cones and dried foliage inside the fireplace looks so lovely and simple.

empty-fireplace-pine-cones — Source: Photo by carla baccari on Unsplash

6. Add tile for character

Detailed tiles are a great way of bringing some pattern and character into your space. Consider adding starry tiles to your empty fireplace which will look extra magical at night, especially lit up by the glow of flickering candles! Just add some foliage in a vase on the mantelpiece and voila!

7. Bedroom empty fireplace

If your fireplace used to be a feature of a bedroom, then it’s important to still make the space look equally as special when it’s filled in. You can use the former mantel as a shelf to display family photos and art, and drape some fairy lights across it.

empty-fireplace-filled-in — Source: Photo by Maël BALLAND from Pexels

8. Driftwood candelabra

If you love coastal styling then consider a candelabra made of driftwood! These almost look like they have been washed up from the shore, just with a handmade touch. White pillar candles are simply perfectly placed across the driftwood. Stunning!

9. Faux fireplace

If you don’t have a fireplace to work with but want to create a faux one, installing black pillars will give the fireplace look without having to worry about committing to a major installation!

10. Seasonal décor

Empty fireplaces are perfect for displaying seasonal décor like pumpkins for Halloween. Keep your fireplace neatly painted and clean, and you can use it as a frame to set up all kinds of cute festive displays.

empty-fireplace-seasonal-decor — Source: Photo by Ellen Auer on Unsplash

11. Interesting stone

You’re in luck if you have an unused but lovely stonework fireplace. They have so much character with all the different shaped, sized and coloured stone bricks. To decorate, just add your favourite décor items—candlesticks, indoor plants, a throw blanket in a basket at the base.

12. Log feature

This gorgeous living room features a stunning moulded fireplace which is being used to store logs. The beauty of a log stack in your empty fireplace is all the gorgeous different and warm tones of timber it brings to your living room.

13. Matte black

For a chic and classy empty fireplace, give it a matte black finish. Add in some awesome trailing plants for a pop of vivid green, or contrast with a moss green couch!

14. Indoor plants

As mentioned, empty fireplaces are perfect for foliage, flowers or plants. If you have a jungalow style living room, add in some spectacular feature plants into your empty fireplace space. Set your plants off against a white painted fireplace, or opt for gorgeous black and white tiling which adds an awesome pattern!

empty-fireplace-potplants — Source: Photo by Thirdman from Pexels

15. Herringbone tiles

If your fireplace is filled in, you still want it to be presentable. So installing some additional tiling is a great way to finish off your space. And I love herringbone fireplace tiles laid into empty fireplaces as it’s typically the perfect burst of pattern for the space.

16. Thrifted finds

Decorate your empty fireplace with an awesome collection of thrifted finds. It might be ornate candlesticks or picture frames, lamps or a vintage glob. Or it may be vintage brass fireplace stokers or a peacock-shaped brass fireplace guard like this.

empty-fireplace-covered — Source: Photo by Diogo Fagundes on Unsplash

17. Cocktail, anyone?

Who wants a cocktail? Me, please! How great is this idea for an empty fireplace—turn it into a home bar! You can even create two different levels inside so that the contents can be displayed clearly and in an organised way. A little table next to the fireplace works so well as an area to create your beverage masterpieces.

18. Festive scene

Ho, ho, ho… Merry Christmas! This festive scene is giving me all the Christmassy vibes! If you live in the northern hemisphere, then sitting around the fireplace would usually be a necessity for you for Christmas, but if you are in the southern hemisphere and have a warm Christmas, then fireplaces are more of a novelty. I love how this empty fireplace has been decorated for the season.

19. Book nook

Another great empty fireplace idea is making it into your very own mini library. A creative book nook, I like to call it. I love all the colourful books all stacked up. If you love reading and have an overflow of books, then this idea is definitely for you!

20. White and grey

If you love a white on white living room colour, then consider trying something a little different like white and light grey. You still get a similar effect to all white, however the light grey and the white is such a lovely and less common combination. The light grey looks lovely around the brick fireplace, while the slim white mantle is the perfect border.

empty-fireplace-bricked-in — Source: Photo by Macauly Addesso on Unsplash

21. Ornate details

How elegant is this living room with its unused fireplace stowed away behind the gorgeous brass and black fireplace guard. I love the way the metal extends out to the mantel. The overall effect is very sleek and sophisticated.

empty-fireplace-elegant-cover — Source: Photo by kelsey roenau on Unsplash

22. Navy and white

Navy and white really is such a beautiful combination if you love a dark living room. Consider painting the main portion of your wall in navy and the top strip of the wall and inside the fireplace in white. Just add a beautiful large round mirror above the fireplace and some prints leaning up against the wall for a trendy look.

23. Shabby chic

How gorgeous is this shabby chic empty fireplace! I love the weathered bricks against the white wall and green foliage. Adding some macrame across your empty fireplace is a lovely Boho touch.

empty-fireplace-boho-decor — Source: Photo by Angela Roma from Pexels

24. Painted wood

There’s plenty of beautiful ways to display wooden slices or logs in empty fireplaces, but what about painting the wood in your fireplace?! If you have a certain colour scheme in your home, then getting creative and painting your wood is such a great idea!

25. Faux neon fire

Last but not least, perfect for your empty fireplace–a pretend fire, in the form of a neon flame. Witty, quirky and very appropriate!

empty-fireplace-faux-neon-fire — Source: Photo by Thom Law on Unsplash

So that concludes 25+ empty fireplace ideas! I love fireplaces featuring indoor plants as well as those with assortments of different sized pillar candles and the awesome fireplaces with the firewood stacked and displayed. What empty fireplace decor ideas will you be trying? Let me know in the comments below!

25+ Fabulous fireplace tile ideas

Put a creative twist on your space with some fancy tiles!

The tile choice for your fireplace can really make a room stand out More often than not, fireplaces are the focal point of a room so you want to depict that in the tiling and styling. Another important note is that most tiles are easy to maintain and built to last which is definitely what you want in a fireplace! From renovating a traditional fireplace to build ing a new modern one – here are my favourite fireplace tile ideas that will inspire you.

Herringbone

Installing your tiles in a herringbone pattern is so chic and timeless. Plus they really make a statement! Due to the zig-zag pattern of herringbone, it really can work with so many different styles.

Intricate designs

Intricate designs work well in fireplace styling as they are a great addition to be able to add some pattern and character to a space.

fireplace-tile-chic — Source: Photo by Jake Goossen on Unsplash

Stone and marble

Due to the natural finish of stone and marble, tiling done in this way will look so sleek with all the natural textures and veining coming through the unique patterns of the tile.

Now without further ado, check out these #+ fireplace tile ideas!

1. Modern grey

Using grey in your home can really lift your space and make it look ultra-modern and classy. I love this modern grey fireplace instalment with sandy brick facing tiling. I can just imagine how awesome this modern living room would look styled with furnishings and decor to match the modern look!

fireplace-tile-facings — Source: Photo by Macauly Addesso on Unsplash

2. Bohemian fireplace tile ideas

I absolutely love Bohemian living room styling. It is so laid back and always looks like a very calming place to hang out in. I love the Aztec style blue and white fireplace tiling which adds intricacy and delight to this room. I would love to lie back and lounge on the chair with a good book.

fireplace-tile-colourful — Source: Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels

3. Simple, small and square

If you prefer something a little more classic and simple, then basic white tiling might be for you. For a contemporary look, choose small, square white tiles. Sometimes, less really is more.

4. Floor to ceiling marble

When in doubt, floor to ceiling marble is always a good idea. I love how subtle marble can be depending on what type of slab you select. And I love the marble that has been chosen for this room. Not too much, but just enough. The grey tones in the marble perfectly match the accents in the room and the white matches everything else!

fireplace-tile-floor-to-ceiling — Source: Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

5. Iridescent and matte

For truly awesome tiling, consider a design that pairs iridescent tiles with matte ones. Iridescent tiles have an oil slick effect which creates a lot of tonal variation. And then matte tiles work to offset the drama of the iridescent tiling.

6. Faux timber

For a unique look, how about this unusual fireplace clad in faux timber facings? The timber look adds so much cosiness and warmth to the space. I love the addition of the artwork to break up the expanse of brown.

fireplace-tile-faux-timber — Source: Photo by Kimberly Moreland on Unsplash

7. Brick-like black

These tiles are in a rectangular shape which emulates bricks. What a great idea to pay homage to a traditional brick fire, but with a modern twist! I love the choice of black for the tiles. It works so well with a black cast iron finish fireplace, as well as the black screen of the tv. How very cohesive!

fireplace-tile-black — Source: Photo by Vadim Sadovski on Unsplash

8. Brick, white and wood

Here’s another lovely fireplace with marled brick tiling which adds a gorgeous pattern to the rustic living room! Without the patterned tiling, this space would be a bit bland and a little less interesting. I also love the wooden mantelpiece which really makes the whole instalment stand out beautifully.

fireplace-tile-warmth — Source: Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

9. Moroccan style

The interior (and exterior) design world is crazy over Moroccan style finishes. There’s just something about the angular shapes and patterns that really work. Just add some frames and decor around the fireplace for added pizzazz. Perhaps it would even suit your Moroccan bedroom style!

10. Stacks of stone

Another great way of tiling your fireplace is with stone. This fireplace gives the look of lots of different stones stacked on top of each other. Using a natural texture like stone gives so much character to space due to the varying patterns and colours that naturally occur.

stone tile fireplace — Source: Mike Gattorna on Unsplash

11. Textured mosaic

Textured mosaic style tiles look stunning used for the wall of a fireplace and tv area. You’ll have a variety of different tones and yet it will still look uniform. A mosaic tiled finish really provides great texture to a space.

12. Dimensional fireplace tile

The 3D effect of dimensional tiling is the perfect way to add some texture and interest to your fireplace. It will create the perfect feature wall.

13. Wall tiling around fireplace

If you’re wanting to cover your whole wall in tiles, then this one’s for you! Not only is this an awesome way to tile your fireplace, but it has also created a great feature wall for the room!

fireplace-tile-stone — Source: Photo by Krystal Black on Unsplash

14. Scalloped mermaid tail vibes

Whenever I see scalloped finishes, I always think of mermaid tails! They just give off such a cool scale-like look. Even if your space isn’t the most coastal styled home, neutral toned scalloped tiles work so well to bring in an awesome pattern and focal point to your living room.

15. Black herringbone

Ah, I just love herringbone tile ideas. There’s just something about the zig-zag style of the tile design that gives such a beautiful effect. And I especially love black herringbone tiles with white grout in between – it’s such a striking look.

16. Bright colours

How cool is this fireplace tiling?! The bright colours and groovy pattern remind me of something taken straight from the 1960s – groovy, baby!

fireplace-tile-green — Source: Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

If retro is your jam – check out these retro kitchen ideas as well.

17. Sleek navy

Tiles with a ‘wet look’ to them means that when there are lights on or windows open, the light will beautifully reflect off the tiles. This can even slightly change the colour of them for the time being. For something different, how about opting for a gorgeous sleek navy?

18. Intricate designs

If you have a simple space to work with that’s quite minimalist, don’t be afraid to go a little out of your comfort zone and add some pattern. The intricate design in the tiles used in this living room is the perfect example. Using muted colours like beige and white also means that the pattern comes off a little more subtle rather than using bold colour and having the fireplace stand out. I absolutely love this room!

fireplace-tile-texture — Source: Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

19. Lime green

OK, so this fireplace tile idea is definitely for those of you who love colour and something a little more quirky in your home. Although it’s not a colour you might normally think of, lime green tiling around the fireplace can look so sweet and adding a white mantle around it helps to soften everything. Plus you could add awesome lime green floor tiling to match.

20. Chic and fabulous florals

For something chic and fabulous, consider floral tiling of the wall around your fireplace. Florals usually give quite a feminine look, but a neutral colour scheme and a subtle floral design keeps things simple and could work in most homes. The perfect accompaniment? A gold-framed mirror above the fireplace.

21. Grey stone

Look at how awesome the grey stone tiling looks in this space. There’s so much texture and so many differences in the individual stone tiles which really create such a beautiful look. This space could definitely use some greenery and decor though!

fireplace-tile-dramatic-oversized — Source: Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

22. Organic designs

Installing your fireplace tile in a very random and irregular way makes the whole instalment look more organic. It’s very much an on-trend look at the moment, too.

23. Magnificent marble

How magnificent is this marble! I love how the marble tiling is arched around the fireplace area, with a lovely timber surround. I also love how the tile continues along the hearth in front. This creates a wonderful spot to add decor.

fireplace-tile-marble — Source: Photo by Zen Bear Yoga on Unsplash

24. Coastal vibes

Ah, I absolutely love the coastal vibes of this room. The fireplace tiling is a subtle white pattern which adds enough texture and character to this area without it being too over the top. Just add some foraged dried bunny tails in a vase!

fireplace-tile-hamptons — Source: Photo by Curtis Adams from Pexels

25. Blue and white

Speaking of coastal vibes, another beautiful fireplace tiling idea is a mix of blue and white tiling around the fireplace. This looks stunning paired with decor like blown glass or patterned vases.

26. Textured stone

How stunning is this textured stone! I love how the tiles are quite large which gives such a bold look. Plus the natural textures through the stone look gorgeous and have so much character! I also love the cute little seats next to the fireplace. Perfect to sit on and toast marshmallows with your favourite person.

stone fireplace — Source: Jessica Johnston on Unsplash

And there we have 25+ fireplace tile ideas for you to spruce up the look of your fireplace! I absolutely love the fireplace tiling that has intricate patterns which really adds so much interest to a simple space.

When installing a fireplace there are important things you need to make sure you have in place. These include installing a fire alarm, and also you should know how to clean your fireplace so that you keep it in top-notch condition. Remember to find a professional to take care of the TV wall mounting as well.

So which of the fireplace tile ideas above are you raring to try? I’d love to know in the comments below!

How to clean your fireplace

It’s nearing the end of winter, and although cleaning out your fireplace is probably the last thing you want to "How to clean your fireplace"

It’s nearing the end of winter, and although cleaning out your fireplace is probably the last thing you want to do, it’s important to stay on top of it so that there’s less cleaning required at the end of winter. Here’s some helpful tips on how to clean your fireplace.

Source: nous decor

Be prepared to get messy

Soot, smoke, ash, and crumbling chunks of charcoaled timber… be prepared for things to get more than a little messy.

Smock up – an artist’s smock, old apron, or even a plastic poncho will do.
Gloves – something heavy duty and made of fabric.
Drop sheet – you’ll definitely need a plastic drop sheet, or an old bed sheet that you’re happy to dispose of for the floor. Tape it down around the base of the fireplace door/opening, and a bit past the sides.
A mask – if you haven’t cleaned your fireplace in a while, it might be worthwhile wearing breathing protection and an eye mask to protect you while you get grubby.

Image credit: Ashley Poskin
Source: apartment therapy

Get the right tools and materials

Before you start, get yourself sorted out with the many bits and pieces you’ll need to clean a fireplace. You probably already have some of these items as part of your fireplace ‘tool kit’ or in your cupboard.

Wire brushes specifically for chimney and furnace cleaning – long and short handle
A scraper/small shovel
Dustpan and brush (that you don’t mind getting covered in black soot)
Vacuum cleaner – a hand held one or one with a brush attachment would be perfect
Used coffee grounds – if you’ve got some (we’ll tell you why below)
Scrubbing brush
Paper towel/drying cloth
A bin, bucket or cardboard box – or you can just use the drop sheet if you’re not going to miss it
Hearth or fireplace cleanser – either a commercial product or homemade version

Tip: Apartment therapy have some great homemade cleanser ideas that use typical cupboard products like cream of tartar and vinegar.

Source: Etsy

Basic steps for cleaning the fireplace

Remove any chunks of wood or debris from your cold, dry fireplace (yes, let that furnace cool down first or Darwin will get you)
Dislodge any out of sight objects up the chimney using a long stemmed brush
Brush the sides of the inner furnace with a heavy duty or wire brush
Sprinkle used coffee grounds over the ash – their weight and moisture help cling to the ash and prevent it from flailing around your living room
Scrape or shovel the ash and small burnt leftovers out
Brush the inner sides out with a dustpan and brush and if you have one available, go over it with a vacuum cleaner to remove the majority of the particles
Use a hearth or fireplace cleanser of your choice to scrub the insides of the furnace walls, glass and door (don’t forget to clean the grate and fireplace toolkit too if they need it)
Clean the exterior with the product of your choice
Wipe everything out
Collect all of your rubbish and dispose of it
Allow to dry completely before using again

Okay, so you’re all set to get your Chim Chim Cher-ee on! If you’d rather let someone else be an ‘appier bloke, find an Airtasker to ‘shake ‘ands with you’. They’ll cheerfully spend time rolling around in the ashes and smoke.