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When you want to change the look and feel of your home the right way, searching for fire surround ideas is the way to do it. Turning your fireplace from an afterthought into a focal point can create a real sense of unity in the living room or lounge. That’s what you want to hear when making a house a home in your signature way.
Now that you’re ready to get started, it’s time we discuss your options so you can find the perfect fit for your home. Enjoy!
Modern Fire Surround Ideas
If you want to create a space that is contemporary, modern and striking yet still retains a homely vibe, it’s best to search for modern fire surround ideas. We’re thinking minimalist, chic, sleek options. Maybe a media wall? or a clean fireplace with a hole-in-the-wall fire. Our Freestanding Fireplaces are a good starting point here as many modern homes have a flat wall and require a fireplace which “self contains”.
To get you excited about what you could create, we’ve covered a couple of fire surround ideas and provided a whole host of style tips below.
Modern Stone Fireplaces
A modern stone fireplace offers balance to your home, whilst stone was once a statement of elaborate luxury, dominating any space with its grandeur, today’s stone fireplace designs adopt a more subtle refinement. If seeking a sleek, modern look, we can help you achieve a style that merges with your décor.
Design Considerations for a Contemporary Stone Fireplace:
- Choose a stone that complements a secondary colour in your room to create a subconsciously balanced design. Using white walls with a white stone, the fireplace will be lost. Try a off-white, cream colour such as Limestone, then match accessories in the room to this tone. This approach ensures your fireplace feels naturally integrated rather than a standalone feature.
- Keep ornaments and trinkets to a minimum. Let the beauty of natural light enhance the crisp, clean lines of the stone on your fireplace. The natural light allows the material itself to shine, reinforcing a sophisticated modern aesthetic.
- Match the metal finishes in your space—such as light fixtures or furniture details—to the finish and profile of your selected fireplace. If you’re going for a brushed steel gas fire, think of matching your light switches and electric sockets to a brushed steel finish too. This small but thoughtful coordination transforms the fireplace into a seamless extension of the room rather than a bold, overpowering statement.
A palette of whites, greys, and blacks utilises elegant grayscale simplicity. Accents of chrome and modern gold add a refined touch. Stone options include Italian Polare White, an almost pure white, and Portuguese Limestone for an off-white, matt and natural appearance.
For the fire itself, electric offers the sleekest modernity, while gas remains a strong contender. When we think modern, the fireplace isn’t meant to dominate the space but to harmonise with the contemporary aesthetic, seamlessly integrating into the design rather than demanding attention. Modern and Marble go hand in hand, you wont be short on fire surround ideas!
Modern Stone Fireplaces Mood Board
Modern Oak Fireplaces
When seeking a more homely alternative to marble, the balance of warmth and beauty solid oak provides can give excellent balance to modern interiors. Whilst typically associated with more traditional fireplaces, when the correct design is selected, oak can take on a modern edge. Its organic grain and texture add personality, making it a solid addition to tone down contemporary interiors.
Modern oak fireplaces are often lower in height, designed to be completed with a television above, for more on this you can read our article on putting a TV above your fireplace safely.
Design Considerations for a Contemporary Oak Fireplace:
- Pair the rich oak tones with natural, organic elements like a jute rug, linen upholstery, or slate decorations to enhance its natural appeal. This approach utilises traditional texture in a contemporary way.
- Opt for a modern hole-in-the-wall fire that raises the heat source closer to eye level when seated. A simple oak surround adds warmth without overwhelming the space, creating a cosy yet modern focal point.
- Balance oak’s warmth with more modern materials like black metal, polished concrete, or matte ceramic tiles. This contrast adds depth to the design, making the fireplace stand out as a sophisticated yet inviting feature.
Blend the natural warmth of oak with a sophisticated palette of whites, greyscales, and stylish textures. To enhance the contemporary aesthetic, combine other textured touches into your décor, such as acoustic wood panelling, riven slate, and matte finishes. Black metalwork for lighting, power outlets, switches, and the fire creates a striking contrast, backing the appeal of black and oak—a combination that seamlessly aligns with today’s minimalist “industrial vibe” Finding modern oak fire surround ideas can be tricky, but we’ve selected a few below!
Modern Oak Fireplaces Mood Board
If this focus on oak has you thinking about more traditional routes, let’s continue down the same path…
Traditional Fire Surround Ideas
If you prefer the timeless charm of classic 16” gas and electric fires, look for more traditional fire surround ideas, these could be the perfect choice for your home. Traditional fireplaces feature elements such as ornate corbels, cast iron insets, and bold features to create a warm, inviting, but elegant atmosphere year-round. Adding a touch of heritage and comfort to your living space is warming, even when the fire isn’t in use!
Traditional Stone Fireplaces
A traditional stone fireplace offers a style which provides endless possibilities for cohesive and timeless design. You can select stones that are matt, polished, or something in between, in a host of colours, from whites to creams. We’re not short on traditional stone fire surround ideas, the traditional approach lets you maintain a warm, inviting atmosphere without straying too far into contemporary minimalism.
Design Considerations for a Traditional Stone Fireplace:
- Consider matching your stone fireplace to the colours of your room’s accessories, such as coasters, lampshades, art pieces, and blinds. This subtle but essential coordination adds character to your décor.
- For an even more classy look, incorporate soft furnishings like textured throws or woven rugs that echo the hues of the stone. These elements add warmth and depth, reinforcing the traditional aesthetic.
- Take the time to reach the proper balance between your chosen stone surround and your living room, and your fireplace won’t just be a feature; it will become a centrepiece that ties together your room’s traditional style.
Look to combine the timeless classiness of natural stone with a rich palette of warm neutral colours, deep earthy tones, and classic textures. To enhance the classic aesthetic, include materials which compliment that style such as aged wooden beams, floor tiles, and antique brass accents. Look for detailing on the fire surround and pair with wrought iron fixtures for lighting, fire tools, and trinkets. This is a match made in heaven which will add character. Whether made from classy, matt limestone, or a poilished marble, a traditional style stone fireplace serves as the heart of a room, exuding charm and heritage. Finding the perfect vibe can be challenging, but we’ve curated a selection of inspiring fire surround ideas below!
Traditional Stone Fireplaces Mood Board
Traditional Oak Fireplaces
For those spaces where you feel like a marble fire surround, even in a traditional style, may modernise things a little too much, there’s always oak. This timeless, classic, and traditional material is the perfect way to bring a homely fireplace to life that will make you smile whenever you walk into the room. When you think of oak fire surrounds, typically you think of classic or traditional fire surround ideas, so there’s plenty to choose from here.
Design Considerations for a Traditional Oak Fireplace:
- Pay attention to choose the right shade of oak; lighter tones emphasise the natural light which in turn creates an inviting feel. Deeper, darker shades add warmth and a sense of old style heritage.
- Craftsmanship matters, a well-crafted oak fire surround will emphasise the knots, grain, and natural imperfections of the wood, enhancing its character rather than distracting from it. With over 20 years of experience crafting oak fire surrounds in our UK-based workshop, you can trust us on this one!
- Consider all finishing options, you can further tailor your fireplace to your aesthetic with different finishes: Oil is a matt finish which enhances the wood’s natural warmth, whilst waxed finishes give a subtle sheen.
Rich in texture and timeless in appeal, these traditional oak fire surround ideas match beautifully with various creams, bold colours, and layered textiles—think plush or fluffy pillows, deep-woven rugs, and long elegant curtains with patterns that enhance the warmth of a classic fireplace. For added grandeur, consider selecting a fireplace with corbels, intricate moulding or striking features such as an arch to enhance the design. Black granite or slate hearths create a notable contrast, while a cast iron insert completes the look with a touch of heritage charm. Below are some traditional oak fire surround ideas from our range.
Traditional Oak Fireplaces Mood Board
And if you’re reading this and feel like you need something somewhere in the middle, we’re ready and waiting to show it to you…
Hybrid Fire Surround Ideas
Imagine blending the elegant, modern sophistication of a hole-in-the-wall fire with the warmth of a more traditional fireplace. Or perhaps a clean, contemporary fire surround with a classic style cast iron? Either can create the perfect balance between modern minimalism and old homeliness. This approach is what we call “hybrid style” these fire surround ideas offer the best of both worlds, combining clean lines with classic materials and textures. Whether you prefer the elegance of a stone, or the rustic appeal of oak, the charm of a cast iron insert, or the contrast of polished chrome accents, this fresh approach allows for a design, unique to you, that integrates into any interior while maintaining a welcoming feel.
Hybrid Stone Fireplaces
Going for a traditional material with a real sense of character and presence and combining it with a hybrid design is an inspired direction. It will give you the best of both worlds, setting you free to shape the dream home you’ve always wanted, and all at a pace that allows you to take your time.
Design Considerations for a Hybrid Stone Fireplace:
- Choose a plain and natural stone finish that complements both classic and modern design features. Matt limestone or sandstone pairs well with sleek metal accents, while polished marble or granite blends seamlessly with old style wood beams.
- Decide if you want your fireplace to serve as a statement piece, or a subtle integration into the room. A large, grand stone surround makes a dramatic impact, while a lower-profile design blends in seamlessly and keeps the focus on furnishings and décor.
- Contrast the solidity of stone with more delicate materials—woven textiles, plush rugs, and warm lighting create a welcoming atmosphere. Combining stone with plaster walls, steel-framed glass doors, or contemporary furniture adds depth and character.
Pair your warm stone surround with a palette of creams, bold colours, and layered textiles—think plush pillows, woven rugs, and patterned curtains that add depth and character. For a even more elegant touch, pick a design with corbels, moulding, or arches details to enhance the fireplace’s architectural presence. These fire surround ideas contrast the warmth of stone with black granite or slate hearths, and pair traditional surrounds with modern electric fires, while a cast iron insert introduces a timeless, heritage-inspired finish which pair beautifully with a more clean lined fireplace.
Hybrid Stone Fireplaces Mood Board
Hybrid Oak Fireplaces
If you prefer wood to stone, oak is the perfect material to add to your shortlist of fire surround ideas. By having the fire set back in the wall and the warm grain of the oak glowing across the room, you can create a homely touch with its fair share of modern elements. This is perfect when you want to shape a room that invites you to sit back, relax, and take the weight off your feet.
Design Considerations for a Hybrid Oak Fireplace:
- Choose the correct oak finish for your home, go for a natural, light oak for a soft style or a rich, dark-stained oak for a more traditional, cosy feel. A distressed or matte finish will add buckets of character, while a smooth, wax finish leans into the modern.
- Pair the fireplace with textures, textured wall materials like exposed brick slips, painted plaster, or raw stone will create depth and contrast. A hearth from natural riven slate or a wall with matte black panelling can highlight the warm tones of the wood.
- Keep the décor cohesive by incorporating oak furniture throughout the room, side tables, shelving, or picture frames in matching oak create a seamless connection and maintains harmony between the fire surround and the rest of the space.
Pairing your oak fire surround with a palette of warm neutrals, deep earthy tones, and soft textures is always a good choice—think linen curtains, fleece throws, and deep fibre rugs that sweeten the inviting atmosphere. For a more refined look, choose a mantel with clean lines for a modern feel, or opt for a rustic oak fire surround with knots, splits and shakes for added character. Consider complimenting the oak with a riven slate or concrete hearth for contrast, or introduce black fire accessories to reinforce a stylish edge. A glass-fronted gas fire brings a minimalist touch, and a cast iron insert adds a heritage-inspired vibe that pairs beautifully with both traditional and modern interiors, we’ve curated some oak fire surround ideas below.
Hybrid Oak Fireplaces Mood Board
Do You Need More Fire Surround Ideas?
Don’t worry; we’re always happy to help, between us we have 50+ years in the industry, we’ve seen it all and our brains are filled with thousands of fire surround ideas. Sometimes, when there’s so much choice on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few hints and tips that will help you get moving in the right direction so you can start homing in on the style you want to create:
- Consider whether you want the lounge to be a hosting space, or a snug little room for the family in the evenings.
- If you decide to add a new fire surround, consider how you could change your flooring and window treatments to suit.
- Have you seen styles online that you’ve fallen in love with? If so, add them to a Pinterest board so you can keep track of your fire surround ideas.
With a little extra thought, you can create the warm, cosy, and homely space your family deserves. All you have to do now is revisit your options and start putting your fire surround ideas list together.
Final Thoughts
No matter which of our fire surround ideas you explore further, the key point is that the choice is yours. When you want to make a house a home, you need to have the freedom to pick anything your heart desires, which is where we come in. Give it some thought, take a closer look at your leisure, and then reach out if we can help you.
Seeing what you create when you set your inner interior designer free is exciting!
