Even when the fireplace is not in use, it is a natural gathering place in any room. Fireplace surround designs should flow seamlessly into the rest of the room, to create a uniform appearance, but that doesn’t mean that they need to be bland or boring. Tile fireplace surrounds and hearths can create rich and unique effects that can draw the eye whether there is a fire in the box or not.
Use Three Dimensions
New tile designs being produced around the world use dimension to bring additional interest to their surfaces. Using these three dimensional tiles, whether in a geometric pattern, which creates interlocking diamonds, circles and rhomboids on the tile’s face, or in a more traditional look of flowering vines or grapes, can make the fireplace surround stand out in more ways than one.
Change the Shapes
Circles, ovals, penny tiles, thin rectangular tiles; changing the shape of the tile can give a fireplace surround a unique and interesting appeal. Try using penny tiles in multiple sizes, or multiple colors in a family room for a fun, eclectic feel. The fireplace hearth can be bordered in oval tiles where it meets the rest of the floor, and filled in with large format tiles of the same color or material.
Or use netted rectangular tile “sticks” and place the tiles going in different directions. For example, if using 1” x 6” rectangles, lay them horizontally 6 tiles high, and then lay them vertically, 6 tiles wide. Continue alternating the direction of the tiles to create movement across the fireplace surround.
Alternatively, use falling water patterned mosaics; multi-sized rectangular tiles netted on one sheet, and change the direction of the sheets as they move across the surround. For example, the can run vertically on the legs of the fireplace surround, and horizontally across the top. Or, if the fireplace surround goes straight to the ceiling, consider using falling water style mosaics in multiple shapes and sizes of rectangles vertically over the entire surface. This will draw the eye vertically, while the multiple grout lines will create additional dimension and texture.
Change Tile Directions
Rather than laying tiles vertically or horizontally, try using rectangular tiles laid at a diagonal. The tiles can be laid rising to meet the firebox on either side of the surround, moving from left to right and from right to left starting in the lower corner of each leg, and continuing upward. This will emphasize the firebox, by drawing the eye to it, and can create a modern, contemporary feel.
Create an Arts and Crafts style fireplace surround by using multiple sizes of one material and piecing them together like a jigsaw puzzle. For example, use 2x2, 2x4, 4x4, 4x8 and 8x8 tiles, and change the direction of the rectangular tiles while they mix with the squares. Begin at the bottom of each leg and work up, so that a 4x8 tile will be laid horizontally at the bottom, next to a 2x2 tile. Above it would be a 4x4 tile, two 2x4 tiles laid vertically next to one another, and a final 2x2 tile stacked on top of the first one. Continue up the legs in this manner, changing the direction and placement of the tiles as they go. Use one color, or several complimentary tiles, changing the shape and size of the colors that are used as well.
Fireplace hearth designs can continue in the same way, with multiple sizes of tile, or can be tiled with multiple sizes and colors, while the surround is tiled more simply, to bring the focus down, and out into the room.
Keep it Focus Small
For rooms that have a lot going on, where a busy fireplace surround would detract from the room, rather than add, try adding one small unique touch to the design, while keeping the overall feel simple. For example, tile the entire fireplace surround with 2” stone mosaics in a color complimentary to the rest of the room. At the point where the legs of the surround meet the hearth, remove one tile, and replace it with a ceramic tile that has a three dimensional picture of a cricket. This adds a fun, whimsical touch to the room, without creating too much chaos in the design.
Another way to add some interest without additional busyness would be to replace random tiles on the surround and hearth with tiles of the same size and color, but a different material or texture. For example, tile the surround in 3x6 sea green ceramic tiles. At random intervals, replace 1 tile with a 3x6 sea green glass tile. The effect will be subtle, but will still provide interest and depth to the design.
Creating unique fireplace tile designs can add interest, texture and life to a room. Be sure to use colors that are already in place in the room, to keep the design as seamless as possible, and make a focal point in the room all year round.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
