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Design inspo: Cool fireplaces to keep you warm this winter

Who doesn’t love curling up in front of a fireplace during those cold nights?! With the cooler weather starting to set in, it’s also the perfect time to share a round up of the most beautiful fireplaces we’ve ever seen.

So whether you’re about to put in a fireplace and are looking for ideas, or just loooove drooling over gorgeous spaces, keep scrolling for this round up of cool fireplaces.

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Square tile

The latest ‘It’ shape in tiles is square — so why not use them to clad your fireplace? Decorative tiles can be used floor-to-ceiling to give your fireplace the wow-factor it deserves. In fact, we’ve got plenty of examples using different tile shapes in this article.

Our fave choice is an understated white square tile with undulated surface, such as the Moroccan Zellige tile below. But if you prefer colour, you’ll find some brightly glazed options further below.

Earthy living room with square tile fireplace
Image via @simplystyled_interiors
Zellige tile around fireplace cool fireplaces
Design K Interiors, Photography Vivian Johnson

Minimalist plaster fireplace

You’ve heard the saying less is more, and this cosy living room proves it to be true! Featuring a clean geometric square design, this minimalist fireplace oozes understated luxury.

When you consider the versatility of plaster and how it can literally be sculpted into almost any form, we’re betting there are plenty more cool fireplaces out there using this material!

Square tile fireplace
Rendered fireplaces ooze cool | Image via @segretofinishes

Apex basalt mosaic

Here’s another example of the impact of decorative tiles used from floor to ceiling on a fireplace! The team at The Mill clad this cool two-way fireplace in a 3D natural stone mosaic (basalt tile for anyone who wants the same). It’s contemporary but warm and makes for an incredible feature that can be enjoyed from the lounge and dining. LOVE.

Apex basalt fireplace
Interior Design by The Mill Design

Patterned tile

For an attention-grabbing fireplace, it’s certainly hard to beat the impact of a patterned tile.

There are plenty of options on the market now, from classic petal shapes to Moroccan patterns, geometric and lantern prints, for instance.

pink pattern fireplace
Credited image to @clarenicolson
blue and white check tile fireplace
Credit design to @jessieparrislamb, Image credit to @isabellebaldwin
Black and white wave pattern tile around fireplace
Designed Ana Claudia Schultz, Photography Nick Glimenakis

Concrete

Whether it’s a concrete slab base like the fireplace below or a full concrete render fireplace, there’s no denying this material is a fab choice.

If you want to achieve a contemporary interior, concrete is versatile and above all, cost effective. You can even add oxides to tint the render a different colour, such as white or black.

brick herringbone fireplace
Both Minds Design, Photography by Native House Photography
Concrete plinth fireplace
Designed McKimm, Photography Derek Swalwell
Concrete render fireplace
Techne Architects, Photography Tom Blachford, Build Loc Build

Herringbone tile

Timeless and beautiful, herringbone tiles are always a good idea! Depending on the colour, size or finish, you can make these work in virtually any style of home from Victorian to coastal, and contemporary too.

We also love that chevron tile used on the full wall of that fireplace below — so luxe!

white herringbone fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Image via doras.rua
black herringbone fireplace
Credited image to @nikiebarfield
herringbone fireplace
Ashley Montgomery Design, image via @trumeaustones
Chevron tile fireplace
Designed McKimm, Photography Derek Swalwell

Solid stone slab

Be still beating heart! Mmmk, if you really want to amp things up and create a big design statement, you certainly can’t beat solid stone!

Understated luxe and serious sophistication are guaranteed with this timeless and beautiful material. Use stone to surround your fireplace, or on the other hand, as a plinth to anchor your fireplace. This is our favourite look so we’ve gathered plenty pics of cool fireplaces using solid stone below.

You can also achieve the same visual impact by using extra large porcelain panel tiles in a stone pattern (more on this below). This material is more cost effective than solid stone and requires zero maintenance.

solid marble slab fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Image via @artisan.kraft
grey slab fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Image credited to @jeremiahbrent. Image via @cestesdesign.
solid stone fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Zerni Projects, Photography by Brook James

Victorian fireplace

If you’re lucky enough to have period features in your home, celebrate them!

While traditional woods may feel a bit heavy in a contemporary home, a lick of white (or black) paint can instantly propel these beautiful fireplaces into the 21st century.

white victorian fireplace
Image credited to @gatheringwalls
Living room with coastal view _ Mosman Residence III
Mosman Residence | Take the tour
grey living room with victorian fireplace
Credite to @newhome_oldhouse_

Cut stone

A classic but firm favourite for fireplaces is cut natural stone — from darker varieties like slate or bluestone to lighter shades like sandstone.

stone fireplace
@cmpg.design.constructions, image via @eldoradostone. Photography by @photographieinterieure.co
coastal living room fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Three Birds Renovations
beige cut stone fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Credited to @homewithemilyjean

Moroccan tiles

If you really want to make your fireplace the focal point of the room, the stunning range of glazed and patterned Moroccan tiles will certainly achieve that.

And when one tile isn’t enough, why not layer 3, 4 or 5 different types?!

Moroccan mosaic fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Reposted by @northcountytileandstone

Brick or brick tile

Another classic shape is brick or brick tiles but with the range of new finishes and colours, you can easily put your own modern spin on this look.

We also love how Michelle of Bask Interiors used a straight stack in the Hampton reno living room below.

beige wall panels with white brick fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Image credited to Timber Trails Homes
brick bond fireplace _ cool fireplaces
CJH Studio
Bask Interiors modern tiled fireplace cool fireplaces
Styling by Michelle Hart of Bask Interiors and Be and Co Style / Photography by Martina Gemmola

Metal cladding

We also love this bold statement from Canny Group in their Barn house project. They allowed the full-height rusted metal-clad fireplace and vaulted ceiling be the heroes in this space. The combination of rustic materials paired with polished finishes is so dreamy!

Rusted metal cladding around cool fireplaces
Designed Canny Group, Photography Derek Swalwell

Large panels

Extra large porcelain panel tiles are above all the latest thing. They instantly create a high-end look and can be used anywhere from bathroom tiles, to kitchen splashbacks and of course, fireplaces.

This stunning living room has used a bluestone-look panel but you can also find them in concrete, marble, travertine and so many other patterns.

Cool fireplaces large bluestone tiles around fireplace
Design Kristina Lynnem, Photography Tracey Jazmin

Which of these cool fireplaces is your favourite? Do you have a particular one you’d like us to share? Tell us in the comments below!

Find more design inspo here

concrete fireplace
Credited to InForm Design, Photography Timothy Kaye, Styling Bek Sheppard
black subway tile fireplace _ cool fireplaces
Image via @cletile
orange and blue patterned tile
Design by @patriciarodi
pink square tile fireplace
Image via @marlboroughtiles
Black square gloss fireplace
Designed Lindye Galloway, Photography Chad Mellon

This article was originally published in April 2019 and continues to be updated with latest information and images.

Gina Beschorner Style Curator

Welcome to Style Curator, your destination for daily interiors inspiration, styling tips, reno advice, home tours and DIY projects!

We're on a mission to help you create a home you love. And with plenty of tips and tricks, tutorials and other home inspo, we give you all the tools to achieve it!

I’m Gina, Founder and Interior Designer, and you can read more about Style Curator here.

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