Fireplace Wall Designs Ideas - A traditional or electric fireplace is something you definitely shouldn't give up.
If you happen to own a fireplace in your home (whatever room it is in), it deserves to be the focal point of your design.
This applies to both the fireplace itself and the wall surrounding it.
Decorating any wall starts with the basics. From a fresh coat of paint to a major overhaul, these finishes can literally transform your fireplace.
If you don't know where to start updating your wall, social media is here to help.
Check out some amazing fireplace wall design ideas and get inspired to start your own design project.
Fireplace Wall Design Ideas
1. Ideas for Brick Fireplace Walls
Contrary to popular belief, brickwork looks exceptionally modern. For the simplest look, use a uniform brick and even grout lines.
If you're looking for something more textured, lay in natural-cut bricks and colored versions for an exotic backdrop of stacked stone.
A red brick fireplace is a classic example of home design, but that doesn't mean you should use it in your project.
Muted brown or gray brick will give it an updated aesthetic. For contrasting grout lines, choose a light shade of grout.
If you plan to tone down the existing brickwork around your fireplace, a coat of paint will suffice.
Choose a neutral color - matching the color of the fireplace with the wall behind it will make the brick fade against the general background.
2. Fireplace Wall Ideas
The wall behind the fireplace is not just a backdrop for your main attraction. Whether you're decorating a wood-burning or electric fireplace, invest in a mantel for small items.
Hang a large mirror, picture, or TV over it for the final finished look.
Bring the fireplace wall to the forefront of the room's design with tiling.
Stone and cement tiles are a great way to add elegant texture to your environment with a neutral color palette. Use small geometric tiles to decorate the interior of the entire wall.
A simple coat of paint can transform an old fireplace with minimal effort. Match the paint to the surrounding walls to give other decorative elements a chance to play.
Or choose a contrasting color to highlight the background.
3. DIY Fireplace Wall Ideas
You don't have to sacrifice traditional style for modern comfort. Build a fake fireplace around an electrical device and you have the best of both worlds.
Complete the look with a fireplace mantel.
Making a DIY fireplace is surprisingly easy if you love the look of a hearth but don't need a heating element itself.
Purchase or build a freestanding fireplace by attaching it to the wall.
Paint the interior wall a contrasting color (or add tiles for a more dramatic effect) and fill it with decorative logs.
For a rustic DIY project, consider making a wall covering from end-of-life wood.
You can sheathe the entire wall or just the area directly above the fireplace.
Choose a tree of different colors, and keep the rest of the interior simple.
Your decorative wall will do the rest of the work.
4. Ideas for Walls With an Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces bring a fresh, modern aesthetic to the home, mainly due to their sleek design.
Add to the elegance of your fireplace a straight-line look that does not require any frills in the back wall.
A long, linear fireplace is a great way to warm the center wall in your home without any physical bulky structures.
Install a modern electric fireplace directly into the drywall or line the entire unit with architectural tiles.
Ditch the traditional wooden (flammable) hearth in favor of a floating entertainment center.
Do not try to think only about matching the interior to the exterior of your electric fireplace.
Many electric models are lined with wood, stone, or other material on the inside.
Your electric fireplace may also have a built-in light that is independent of the fire.
5. Fake Fireplace Wall Ideas
If you have a non-functional or unwanted fireplace in your home, resist the temptation to tear it down.
There are ways to include it in the interior of the room without using it as a working heat source.
Use it as storage or to display your favorite home decor items. Place a large basket inside for blankets or other room items.
Before giving an old fireplace a new life, make sure everything inside is clean and the chimney is covered.
If necessary, touch up the interior with paint or tiles. Arrange decor items as if it were a traditional fireplace.
On the other hand, you can mimic the look of a real wood or gas fireplace by building an artificial one.
If you plan to have your imitation still emit light, place battery-operated candles or a lantern inside.
A stack of chopped firewood in your hearth will create a warm, homely atmosphere.
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6. Ideas for Walls With Fireplaces in the Living Room
The living room is already a room with a lot of decoration, so don't be afraid to take a subtle approach to decorate the wall.
The fireplace in the living room should become the center of attention, but not dominate the rest of the interior.
Paint the fireplace surround the same color as the main wall, or cover the surface with slightly contrasting tiles or natural wood paneling.
The fireplace is the perfect place to place a wall-mounted or stand-alone flat-screen TV.
Complete it with additional shelves on both sides. Turn your fireplace wall into a built-in entertainment center.
If you have abandoned the TV in the design of the living room (or it is better to place it in another place), fill the space above the fireplace with some other piece of furniture.
Perhaps it will be a mirror, a framed poster, or a large painting.
Hang it above the fireplace or lean against it for a more casual style.
7. Ideas for Walls With Modern Fireplaces
We tend to associate fireplaces with old houses. But they are incredibly common in modern architecture and interior design.
Giving your home a modern twist to a fireplace means decorating the surrounding wall.
Traditional brick or stone fireplaces are not always suitable for modern aesthetics.
Instead, add an organic texture to the wall with polished marble tiles.
You can use sleek wood paneling to bring some warmth into the space without ruining the modern design.
In general, the design of a modern fireplace should be simple and chic at the same time.
Ditch ornate woodwork in favor of a sleek floating mantel.
Use neutral colors throughout the room and don't forget to invest in recessed lighting for when the hearth is not in use.
8. Rustic Fireplace Wall Ideas
For a rustic wall, opt for organic materials. Mix natural stone with reclaimed wood.
Try to keep the fireplace as the center point of the wall - place an accent decor or piece of art above the fireplace, but not a TV.
If the drywall around the fireplace seems too flat and boring, spruce up the accent wall with wood or brick cladding.
These solutions are easy to implement and much more cost-effective than most walls remodel ideas.
Does your idea of rustic style lean more towards "shabby chic"? Choose a white brick fireplace.
Installing a light wooden shelf above the hearth will help warm the design as a whole.
Preserved greenery, such as wreaths or dried flowers, will be a great shelf decoration.
9. Shiplap Fireplace Wall Ideas
Shiplap is not only safe as a fireplace wall decoration (provided you follow a few basic rules), but it is also a great option for any farmhouse-style home design that needs some texture.
Use cladding in the design of the fireplace or for cladding the wall around it.
While bleached panels are the most popular these days, you can simply paint the wood any color you like or leave it as is to give it a weathered look.
Many modern and rustic fireplace ideas include shiplap.
You can combine this trend with wall cladding with wood panels to create an overall homely feel.
However, if you go that route, try using contrasting wall and fireplace trims.
10. Small Fireplace Wall Ideas
The fireplace doesn't always have to be the center of the room.
Installing a small fireplace in your dining room or bedroom offers a great way to add a touch of comfort and luxury to your space without having to completely redesign it.
If the desire to have a small fireplace is more about saving space than a pure design decision, consider installing it in a corner.
If you're focusing on elegant hearth ideas, follow the same philosophy when decorating the wall around it.
Choose neutral hues that blend with the rest of the room.
If you don't stick to any particular color palette, black or white will go with just about anything.
To add texture, consider marble tiles.
Avoid overstuffed fireplaces. If it is possible to build a fireplace into the wall, choose this option.
Otherwise, match the mantel to match the wall and decorate it with just a few eye-catching items.
Store fireplace accessories - pokers, extra firewood, etc - in plain sight in the nearest closet, in order to avoid confusion.
11. Stone Fireplace Wall Ideas
When decorating a stone wall, you need to decide whether its stone veneer is a neutral or accent element.
This applies to a lesser extent to the stone itself, and to a greater extent to the interior of the rest of the room.
For example, most marble fireplace cladding ideas will be the focal point in a minimalist, all-white room.
The same stone will be neutral in a room full of bright design elements.
When choosing a design, refer to the color of your fireplace wall.
Most natural stones come in quite a few variations, and you can use their various shades to your advantage when narrowing down your color palette.
In general, simplicity is the best alternative. A frilly fireplace full of décor will only weigh down your stone wall and all of its innate beauty.
Stick to the bare essentials, like a TV or a mirror, and leave plenty of space for the stone to breathe.