A stylish fireplace design can anchor a room, all the while offering the practical benefits that come with adding coziness to a living space. But fireplace ideas shouldnt be something you ponder only when the temperatures drop. Whether sleek and modern or traditional and ornate, a well-designed fireplace reflects the personality of the space and its occupants, adding texture, showcasing materials, and ensuring the room feels cohesive and inviting, says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative officer of Lindye Galloway Studio in Newport Beach, California.For its October 1977 cover, Architectural Digest featured the carved woodwork of a fireplace in a Madrid manse.Photo: Jose Luis PerezWhile marble and stone fireplaces will always remain classic, as ADs own archive can attest, theres no one right way to do a fireplace. Below, browse 81 truly stunning roomsincluding the homes of Anne Hathaway and Diane Keatonall of which feature a beautiful fireplace. Plus, find advice from top design pros for an extra dose of inspiration.From eye-catching modern designs that can work in a family room to one-of-a-kind creations perfect for an exotic vacation home, these fireplace ideas will inspire you to get started on your own hearth makeover. Or at the very least, you can pick up a few mantle decor ideas.How can you make a fireplace attractive?To optimize a fireplaces appeal, the key is to create harmony with the surrounding decor, says Vyanca Soto, owner and principal designer at Market Studio Interiors in Fullerton, California. A statement surround, carefully chosen artwork above, or thoughtfully layered accessories can help elevate visual interest.Materials also play a huge role in aesthetics. Jordan Mosslar, the founder of FORM(LA), a Los Angeles-based design atelier, emphasizes that you cant go wrong with marble. Marble allows you to make a statement with a bold, grounding form, he says.Those looking to get creative should consider concrete fireplace surrounds that can be cast into smooth or textured forms, advised Sarah Barnard, a WELL and LEED accredited designer in California. These could even be crafted as a nod to flowing waves and kintsugi-inspired designsRegardless of the fireplace design in your home, keep the area clutter-free. It keeps your eye focused on the fireplace design and not the elements on the mantel, says Philadelphia-based interior designer Megan Gorelick.What are the trends when it comes to fireplace design?Current fireplace trends are centered around minimalism and natural materials. The use of materials such as marble, limestone, and reclaimed wood to frame fireplaces adds texture and an organic touch that complements a variety of interior styles, Galloway says.Looking ahead to 2025, the designer anticipates a stronger emphasis on bold, artistic design and unique visual elements. Fireplaces that feature distinctive shapes, unexpected materials, and asymmetrical layouts will gain traction, allowing homeowners to make a statement, she adds.What color fireplace makes a room look bigger?Interior designers often carefully consider fireplace color when striving to make a room bigger. A lighter-toned fireplace not only brightens the room but also creates an illusion of spaciousness, making the room feel larger and more open, Soto says.Mosslar recommends selecting a fireplace mantel color that is a close match to the walls. Color drenching really expands a space and has a calming effect, he says.However, theres also a case to be made for a moodier design. A darker fireplace can provide depth and create a larger looking fireplace wall, says Elizabeth Mollen, Chicago-based interior designer and CEO of Stone Textile Studio. This also gives it an attractive and finished look that will help cover up any smoke stains. Should you want to DIY this, check that the paint is flame resistant.Do fireplaces save on heating bills?It depends. Most people do not use a fireplace as a primary heat source, however a wood burning fireplace that works as a supplementary heat source may reduce a homes reliance on central heating. This could potentially lower your energy bill, if ever so slightly. Mollen considers a fireplace an extra layer of warmth and coziness not a way to save money.Its also worth noting that a gas fireplace may actually increase your energy bills as you will be paying extra for this fuel. Natural gas is a commodity and prices can fluctuate depending on supply and demand. Look at your past utility bill to see your use and payment history before cranking up the fireplace.Now, onto the ideas.Sculptural plasterA sculptural surround can be the perfect complement to a traditional design.Photo: Elliot FuernissMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganDont be scared to step outside of the traditional fireplace design box. Jessica Davis, founder of interior design studio Atelier Davis, employed this sculptural plaster surround by Brent Warr in the formal living room of a French Colonial home. I love an interestingly shaped fireplace, she says. This is the perfect juxtaposition to an otherwise traditional interior, especially when flanked by the beautiful chartreuse Venetian glass sconces.Keep it lowA special accent wall can turn the entire area into a statement fireplace wall.Photo: Mike Van TassellModern fireplace ideas can depart from the traditional square shape of the hearthtake inspo from Galloway to create a fireplace wall. The hearth sits low, yet the slate-hued wall gives this design a grand moment.Picture-perfectUse your fireplace to determine art, as demonstrated in this room designed by Galloway.Photo: Shade DeggesMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganA remodel may be the perfect time to add a fireplace mantle. For the ultimate focal point, hang art that reflects the size and shape of the fireplace. By choosing a light palette, Galloway creates impact without overpowering the living space. High ceilings, geometric shapes, and luxurious materials add to the grandeur, she says, but the true centerpiece is the modern fireplace, which anchors the entire space.Think pinkA pastel pink can be the perfect addition next to a traditional marble fireplace.Photo: Molly CulverA pastel palette creates a demure transition between the fireplace mantel and the rest of the space, especially if youre big on delicate patterns. Pair it with classic marble for a timeless look. Going lighter and cleaner will make the space look much larger, says Houston-based designer Jennifer Barron. Painting the mantle the color of the room can make everything feel larger and cohesive throughout.Sleek plasterA plaster fireplace works well for homeowners who prefer sleek line, clean lines.Photo: Darlene HalabyMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganEpitomize sleek, modern design by featuring a refined white plaster surround that echoes elegance. The choice of a neutral white plaster enhances the clean lines of the fireplace and creates an airy ambiance by reflecting natural light, making the room feel more expansive, Soto explains. The wall-mounted TV complements the minimalist aesthetic, and the greenery framing the fireplace serve as a focal point that helps add balance to the overall inviting atmosphere.Back to blackSometimes a quick paint job can drastically make over a fireplace.Photo: Dustin HalleckFor her own home, Mollen wanted a more modern space, but didnt want to sacrifice the dentil details of the 100-year-old millwork. The solution: retiling the fireplace surround with marble and painting the original mantel in Farrow & Ball Off Black.Layer stoneJAMs simple design is elevated with bespoke stone.Photo: Gieves AndersonMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganJoe McGuier, cofounder and principal at JAM, designed this mantel for this years Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse.Using clean, stepped geometric forms in an asymmetrical arrangement, the mantel becomes a quiet canvas for the incredible amber marinace marble, McGuier says. Sourced and fabricated in collaboration with Agnes and Beata at BANDA Stone, this mantel is truly the off-center centerpiece of the room.Work with white wallsUse texture to differentiate a fireplace and wall that are painted the same color.Photo: Sam FrostA white fireplace wont get lost in a white wall if it has texture. When working on this room, Galloway drew inspiration from old Spanish architecture and European influences and opted for a raked plaster detail on the fireplacea modern take on the traditional exterior plaster of Spanish architecture. Instead of disappearing, it further enhances the layered design ideas.Striking silhouetteTurn your fireplace into sculptural art.Photo credit: Eefje De Coninck & Senne Van der VenMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganA fireplace can anchor any sitting area. Belgian interior architect Peter Ivens envisioned a bespoke silhouette that attracts without distracting. His recent monograph, Peter Ivens - Houses (Luster), highlights how to create character in a home without being ostentatious. A luxurious limestone construction for this fireplace mantel proves the point.Tune into natureMaterials like Ceppo di Gris add a natural element to a fireplace.Photo: Nils TimmChannel natural elements by adding a variegated Ceppo di Gris into the surround. This is a special place in your home as its alive, says Joelle Kutner at Ome Dezin in Los Angeles. It is the focal point of your room and a bit of a watering hole for you and your guests.Revive the brickPainted brick is a quick project for a modern upgrade.Photo: Dustin HalleckMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganFor this family room, Mollen designed custom built-ins around the original fireplace and updated the whole space with a beautiful charcoal gray paint color. Painting the brick the same color as the built-ins gives it a more modern look, she says.Find zen in zellige tilePhoto: Nils TimmZellige tile provides texture that is equally contemporary and lived in. Kutner emphasizes that the right fireplace doesnt necessarily make your main space look bigger, the goal is to make it feel more intimate, as seen here.Think steel surroundThe fireplaces surround serves as a backdrop in this Austin home.Photo: Douglas FriedmanMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganFor this ranch-style home in Austin, Ryan Street Architects designed a music lounge to entertain and host impromptu concerts. The fireplace features a steel surround with a matte finish creating a moody, atmospheric backdrop. The idea was to create a centerpiece that highlights the rooms balance of contemporary and organic materials, says designer and firm owner Ryan Street.Lean into geometryReferencing vernacular design ensures a home fits with its surroundings.Photo: Guillaume de LaubierTake inspiration from your locale. For this outdoor fireplace, designer Pirajean Lees was inspired by the Moroccan countryside. The geometric cutouts flanking the hearth create a version of an accent wall that feels as if its always been there.Consider clearGlass fireplaces work well in modern homes.Photo: Venjhamin ReyesMost PopularArchitecture + DesignNew York Skyline: Everything You Need to Know About the Big Apples Big BuildingsBy Elizabeth FazzareArchitecture + DesignThis Furniture Maker Built His Germantown House and Filled It With His Own CreationsBy Morgan GoldbergArchitecture + DesignTour a Ray Kappe Home With a Japanese-Inspired RebootBy John WoganA custom glass fireplace may be just what you need for a modern living room design in a coastal abode. This way, no views are obstructed and the glass reflection can even make the room appear larger. It is especially beautiful in the moonlight, designer Gorelick says.Cozy minimalismPainted bricks and wood tones are a perfect match.Photo: Ace Misiunas Design: Sarah Barnard DesignMinimalist room ideas dont have to feel clinical. Painting brick fireplace faades the same color as the walls work for midcentury and modern farmhouse interiors, especially when paired with wood tones and plush textiles. Stone faades and mantels can introduce a luxurious visual connection to the natural world, Barnard says. Its a versatile material that can create contemporary, clean lines.Make it a museConsider your fireplace as a work of art.Photo: Julie SoeferMost Popular