45 Fireplace Decor Ideas That Feel Warm and Cozy
These creative design tricks will light up your living room.
Not only does a fireplace serve as the focal point of any room, but it encourages family and friends to gather around. Whether you've got a wood-burning, electric or a faux fireplace mantel, there's something about the presence that bring warmth and charm into a home. While the architectural details of a fireplace mantel tend to draw the eye, decorating the surrounding area can add dimension and personality. If you're not sure how to elevate your setup, browse these designer-approved fireplace decor ideas that range from minimalist and modern to eclectic and farmhouse.
Adorn a hearth in the living room with beloved artwork, lush plants or a collection of mirrors. Bring in an assortment of statement vases, frames and sculptural elements that vary in scale, shape and height to create depth and intrigue. If you're feeling inspired, start a DIY project, like giving bricks a fresh coat of paint or building your own faux fireplace. The fun part about decorating the fireplace? You can easily swap out decor, whether it's a change in season or you're craving a refresh.
Layer Vintage Mirrors
Create height and dimension by leaning mirrors on the mantel. Here, blogger Sarah Vandiver pairs a floor-size mirror with a smaller version of the same design. In this sunny living room, the mirrors help reflect natural light in the space.
RELATED: Affordable Vintage-Inspired Gold Mirrors to Shop Online
Turn Art Into a Focal Point
In this cozy sitting area, the eye is instantly drawn to a large painting over the fireplace. To elevate the space, Susan Yeley Homes hangs a wall-t0-wall floating shelf and fills an antique vase with faux greenery.
Photo by: Sarah Shields Photography
Settle for a Neutral Color Palette
Stick with minimalist decor and bright neutrals. A framed abstract print, potted plant and trio of bud vases add a little personality to this modern living room.
Use Mirrors to Hide the TV
Here's a genius way to mount a TV above the fireplace without sacrificing elegance. Interior designer Dara Haung had a handyman glue mirrors onto MDF wood boards and used closet hardware to create a foldable mirror display. Just open it when you'd like to watch TV!
Introduce Eclectic Elements
If you've got neutral walls, infuse color and personality with accents. Here, homeowner Sara Ligorria-Tramp frames a piece of embroidered textile from her mother for over the fireplace mantel. She also uses a vintage grate that came from a family member.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
Photo by: Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Whitewash a Brick Fireplace
Whitewashing involved painting with watered-down paint, which allows the original texture and color of the bricks to shine through. Here, designer Jessica Nelson brightens the fireplace with white paint but leaves some bricks uncovered for dimension.
Photo by: Carina Skrobecki
Weave in Vintage Artwork
Add charm to any interior by sourcing artwork and decorative items from local antique shops. Here, Susan Yeley Homes goes for a striking painting over the fireplace, which also injects colors that tie back to the nearby area rug and dining table.
Photo by: Sarah Shields Photography
Cozy Up the Space
From the wood paneling and dark bricks to moody decor, this basement living room begs you to snuggle up and stay a while. There's also a plush rug, so you can sit on the floor in front of the working fireplace for extra warmth.
Swap Decor for the Season
Update your mantel decor for the upcoming season, whether it's a simple fall fireplace or elegant Christmas mantel. Keep certain elements the same, like baskets, trays and vases, but swap in festive greenery and decor.
DIY a Concrete Fireplace
If you don't love your brick fireplace, no problem. Frame out the fireplace, adding shiplap up top and cement board and drywall down below.
Hang a Floating Shelf
Make your own mantel by mounting a single shelf over the fireplace. Use it to display artwork and ceramic vases, just as Susan Yeley Homes does here.
Photo by: Sarah Shields Photography
Decorate With Natural Textures
Top a cement fireplace with a natural wood mantel to create an earthy aesthetic. Layer the mantel with organic decor and greenery to add warmth and texture to the space.
Play With Scale and Height
Style the mantel with vases, picture frames and mirrors of various shapes and sizes to create dimension. Here, a large mirror is the standout accent and small decor elevates the look.
Build a Faux Fireplace
Create a faux fireplace with peel-and-stick brick panel, MDF board and roman clay for the stone-like facade and a fireplace surround. This blogger snagged a historic mantel on Facebook Marketplace.
Paint the Mantel a Matching Hue
For a monochromatic moment, paint the fireplace mantel the same color as the walls. Here, a dark teal paint color makes the living space feel warm and moody.
Surround Your Space With Wallpaper
Here, Kirsten Blazek of A1000XBetter pairs a black fireplace with deep, whimsical wallpaper — which makes the whole space feel larger and more cohesive.
Photo by: Virtually Here Studio
Stack Gold Mirrors
Whether you go for a modern or vintage style, mirrors on the mantel add depth and dimension to a living space. Mix different shapes, sizes and styles to create a striking focal point.
Photo by: Erin Feinblatt
Go for Blues
Paint your entire fireplace a cozy shade, like this deep blue. Then paint the walls a complementary shade and pick up a matching armchair. To serve as a focal point, fill a nearby closet with firewood and add a dried citrus garland.
Photo by: Virginia Macdonald
Layer in Textures
Straying away from traditional fireplace design, interior designer Michelle Boudreau uses intriguing color, texture and shape to turn this fireplace into a statement piece.
RELATED: Budget-Friendly DIY Home Decor Ideas for an Instant Refresh
Find Where Vintage Meets Modern
Breathe new life into a dated brick fireplace by adding a white wood surround over top. Fill it with fresh flowers and greenery, then layer in an antique-style painting — like interior designer Francesca Grace does here.
Photo by: Marisa Vitale
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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