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Indoor fireplaces have been a mainstay in homes for centuries. In the early days, they served purely functional roles in the home before modern-day heating systems. But now, even with automatic heating systems, the feeling of relaxing beside a fire is hard to resist.
Today, fireplaces occupy a special place as a design element that also serves a purpose. In many living rooms, they act as a key focal point for the space, especially when TVs are placed above them. You’ll typically see a few main materials used: stone, wood and metal. Combining materials also makes for some interesting designs. Below are some of the best-designed fireplaces in each material for your design inspiration.
Stone indoor fireplaces
Stone is a favorite for indoor fireplaces due to its customizability and durability. Back before central heating systems, stone was used to create fireplaces for its ability to withstand heat. If you’re looking for a classic style for a fireplace, stone is the way to go.
Your mind may automatically leap to brick fireplaces, but there are also modern styles that make use of light, sleek stone like marble. In that way, while stone tends to be classic, it is also easily adaptable to different styles. Take a look at some of the ideas below to see how stone works in a variety of room styles.
Light stone works well in transitional spaces. Image: Arjay Builders
Sleek, marble fireplaces enhance modern spaces. Image: Flue Tech
Differently sized stone goes well in rustic or country spaces. Image: Timberlake Custom Homes
Different shades of neutral beige stone match just about any space. Image: Patrick Schmitt Designer
Light slab stone is a solid option for bright color schemes. Image: Liv Design Collective
Wood indoor fireplaces
Wood is another favorite for indoor fireplaces. It gives a cozy, warm feeling when used in a mantel design. It’s also easy to carve different patterns into it, making it an artistic choice. Lean into this by installing shelving and art display areas directly into the wood. Often, wooden mantels are fashioned to match the walls and cabinetry of the rest of the room, leading to a more unified space. Take a look below to see how wood fireplaces fit into many different home styles.
A gray wood texture complements modern spaces. Image: Ward Young
An unconventional take on a mantel, this curved design is a perfect frame for the funky makeshift “fireplace” of candles. Image: Caroline Beaupere
A dark wood mantel adds contrast to a light color scheme. Image: Grand Home Solutions
Sticking to one color scheme helps the fireplace blend into the rest of the room. Image: Debra Campbell Design
Wooden mantels can also be highly functional, as is this case with this shelving and display area. Image: JG Hardwood
Metal indoor fireplaces
On the more unconventional side of indoor fireplaces is metal. This material fits particularly well into industrial spaces. High gloss metal gives an attractive sheen that helps the mantel stay the focal point of the room. Some industrial designs even make use of exposed bolts for a more rugged feel.
Metal also works around minimalistic, contained and modern fireplace spaces. The sleek design of the metal adds to the sense of minimalism. Take a look below for some of the top metal fireplaces and the home styles in which they work best.
Though technically mixed material, this overwhelmingly metal fireplace gives an industrial look to the space. Image: Studio80
Sometimes a metal fireplace can be set into the wall to create just a hint of framing. Image: Fireplace Doors Online
This funky modern space shirks traditional indoor fireplaces with a metal fire pit. Image: Miller Design
A full-wall metal fireplace adds sleekness to the room. Image: Best Home
Sometimes a metal design can be a simple wall-mounted gas fireplace. Image: Design Milieu
Mixed materials for indoor fireplaces
Mixing materials also works well for indoor fireplaces. For instance, the clean designs of painted wood and gray stone complement each other. Stone works well as an interior accent on a wood mantel. This style is all about combining different textures for either unity or intentional contrast.
Outside of texture, mixing materials is also a great way to work with color. Some styles use gray stone and white wood for a muted neutral look. Others use a warm wood and light stones for added contrast. Take a look below for ideas on mixing materials.
A neutral stone texture goes well with a white wooden mantel. Image: KJB Fireplaces
Textured stone is a wonderful accent between the wood and fireplace itself. Image: Brownhouse
The combination of warm wood and cool stone creates exciting contrast in this off-center fireplace design. Image: Urban Colony
The contrast of dark gray stone texture and warm wood design creates interesting geometry in this space. Image: Christopher Developments
Mix and match styles by using rustic stone on the inside of a fireplace and smooth wood on the outside. Image: G.L. Gallow Building and Remodeling
Do you dream of having a fireplace in your home? Or do you have an existing fireplace that you’d like to revamp? We’d love to hear your design ideas below.
