1Think About Scale
John Merkl A vibrant artwork by Beatriz Milhazes adds a punch of color to the otherwise earth-toned color palette design firm Harte Brownlee & Associates used in this living room. The large scale of it also balances the large fireplace and dramatically high ceilings, which stretch up to twenty feet, creating a sense of expanse and awe.
2Disguise Your TV
Nicole Franzen If you're anything like us, then nothing pains you more than ruining the view of a gorgeous fireplace by putting a bulky television right above it. This modern farmhouse living room designed by Kristin Fine proves that you have both an entertainment system and an old-school roaring fire. She tucked a TV behind custom plaster panels that blend right in with the cream fireplace wall.
3Give It Purpose Beyond a Firebox
Floto Warner A nonworking fireplace can still be a valuable feature. Use the area to display a collection (Elizabeth Roberts Architects filled this one with plants) or cluster some pine-scented candles to get that flickering flame effect.
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4Paint It Black
Nanette Brown Brick doesn't always vibe with sleek monochromatic decor, luxe natural stone materials, and modern art. Nannette Brown's solution was to paint the brick firebox black. This creates depth and makes the old-timey character of bricks more discreet. Do this if you want to make your empty fireplace look edgy but understated. Plus, a dark wall makes a fireplace feel even cozier.
5Honor the Architectural Bones
William Abranowicz Clean, modern lines don't mean you can't also embrace the location-specific architecture bones of your home. In this Mexican villa designed by John Houshmand, the tiled ceilings and floors embrace indoor/outdoor casual living while the modern furniture and fireplace add a sleek formality.
6Simplify Millwork
KARYN MILLET Designed by Intimate Living Interiors, the firm decided to strip away the heavy Tuscan-inspired millwork in this home to give a more modern, open, and airy atmosphere. So if you prefer modern spaces, when in doubt: simplify. The classic stone of the fireplace surround pairs beautifully with the other timeless yet contemporary features of this space.
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7Spread From Floor to Ceiling
Jane Beiles Floor-to-ceilings fireplaces are sure to deliver a major impact. This design will stand out, even if you choose a neutral color, but we admire the bold choice of material in this living room designed by Kris Cochran. The custom copper sheet make the gas fireplace really pop.
8Blend It In
John Bessler Lydia Pursell covered all the surfaces (excluding the floors) in a blue-green paint color, from the trims to the fireplace surround and mantel. It's a bold and unexpectedly mod approach in a classic dining room that exudes confidence.
9Don't Strip Away Historic Character
Shawn Henderson Designer Shawn Henderson struck the perfect balance between modern and timeless in this 19th-century apartment—instead of clashing, old and new complement each other. Clean lines, modern artwork, fresh paint, and modern lighting mix with antique accents, repurposed wood ceiling means, and hardwood floors for a blended look. He leaned some logs inside the firebox and forwent a screen since the fireplace is just decorative.
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10Accentuate a View
Haris Kenjar Striking steel and glass floor-to-ceiling windows blend the modern architecture with the beauty of the surrounding environment beyond in this Seattle home designed by Andy Beers of Ore Studios. The fireplace brings some drama, but without overwhelming the eye.
11Hang a Modern Photograph
Laure Joilet If you want to add color and movement at a more affordable price point than natural stone, opt for tile. Reath Design framed a gas insert with high-gloss green tiles for casual California elegance.
12Go Nordic
Courtesy of Nicole Franzen The recipe for a Scandinavian-inspired room: sheepskin, minimalist decor, and organic furniture. This streamlined fireplace is the perfect fit for the modern, thoughtfully curated, and layered living room. The built-in wood storage compartment is also super h handy.
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13Get Wacky With Tile
Kingston Lafferty Design Old meets new in this living room by Kingston Lafferty Design. The ornate Victorian mantel contrasts with the graphic tiled fireplace, which reflects the geometric cabinets. The cactus in the fireplace niche livens it up.
14Soften It Up
Brigette Romanek Studio Super simple with a cream finish and soft, curved facade, this clean white fireplace makes this living room lighter and airier than it already is. Not a collector? No problem. A lone silver vase with orange flowers picks up the fall tones in this living room by Romanek Design Studio, from the marigold armchairs to the chrome accents throughout.
15Embrace Industrial
William Abranowicz Gray might sound industrial and cool, but it can actually be seriously soothing. This simple, modern fireplace in Kathleen McCormick's living room is grounding and makes a statement without overpowering the room.
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16Camouflage It
Joshua McHugh For ultra-modern fireplace design inspiration, look no further. In this living room designed by Raji RM, the firebox is flush with the wall for a camouflaged, barely-there effect.
17Keep Historic Charms
Annie Schlechter Old-school charm with modern bells and whistles is the way to go for the best of both worlds. A bedroom with a fireplace will ignite the passion like no other. Rather than using stone for the fireplace, decorator Cathy Chapman opted for a more modern design surrounded by a custom blue paint and then brought the stone material to the walls for that old school romance and charm. "The stones used for the walls came from a quarry a couple miles away," she tells us.
18Use Striking Materials
Ben Gebo Elizabeth Georgantas chose a bold quartz slab that doubles as a work of art. Darker marble is relatively low-maintenance, but for lighter tones, keep the area clean to ensure that soot doesn’t leave permanent stains.
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19Modernize It With Sculpture
Rayon richardson In her Brooklyn brownstone, designer Delia Kenza honored the original style of the home’s architecture, ornate mantel and all. She inserted a new (but antique-looking) wood-burning stove that produces real fire but eliminates the risk of indoor smoke you’d get from a masonry fireplace.
20Surround It With Cool Pieces
Brigette Romanek Studio To give a more traditional fireplace a youthful feel, paint the surrounding walls an unexpected color and decorate the room with eclectic furniture, modern art, and Avant grade light fixtures. Romanek Design Studio opted for a dusty rose tone to complement the warmer grains in the marble.
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