Monochromatic Contemporary Doesn’t Have To Be Bland

The white and light gray tile surround gives a monochromatic feel to this living room’s inspiration. In some cases, too much of one color can be a disaster, but this is a perfect presentation resulting in an understated glam look for your home.

The larger tiles give a feel of a consistent surface, drawing your eyes up to the sharp edge accent leading to the chimney beam, making the ceiling appear to soar even higher than it does.

Chevron Patterns

Chevron is a zig-zag pattern that is similar to the herringbone design. The difference is the end cuts – chevron has a 45 degree cut at each end to make a right angle.

In this modern design, the mixture of dark and light grays with white contrast each other so that the zig-zag pattern stands out. Matching the darker color with an accent in this living room, like the side cabinets, can pull the room together while still keeping the main focus on the tile fireplace.

This chevron pattern also stays with the grayscale color scheme, but with the white surround, you get a much lighter and brighter feel in your home.

Herringbone Patterns

Herringbone tiling has become all the rage, and there are a few different layouts to get you the look you want. For example, on tiled fireplaces,  like this one, the long and skinny subway tiles are laid out diagonally, giving a luxe look. Alternatively, shorter, thicker subway tiles can be installed at a 90-degree angle giving your home a more modern feel.

Revamp A Classic Style

The dark cyan subway tile on this modern fireplace gives the classic wood paneling a bright touch with the shine. Most people imagine the stark white when they think of subway tiles, but using different colors can change the effect you are going for.

Retro Mid-Century Modern

The style here is the perfect retro throwback using a blue and white pattern tile design with a modern twist. Making sure the tiles are lined up so seamlessly takes patience, but it is worth it for the end result. This is great if you have a mid-century modern style in your home.

Texture For Artistic 3D Beauty

Using glass with texture gives a three-dimensional look makes it a statement piece. The dark olive color with the gloss accents the wood in this living room perfectly. With all of the surrounding windows, the gloss is highlighted, making a strong impression.

The dark bronze ceramics in this inspirational design have a slight texture, giving just the right amount of pizazz.

Stylish Geometric

The cream elongated hexagons used here gives a unique feel to this living room. Using a darker grout brings dimension into the design.

The same effect can be made if you have a darker tile and use a light grout. The dark black insert stands out with the lighter colors in the surround.

Square Tile Designs

Using porcelain squares is a more classic look – but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. In this case, the rest of this wood feels dramatic, and so the understated brown squares are the perfect accompaniment.

Porcelain squares are laid out seamlessly in this design with subtle accents of smaller squares. The rust color scheme gives great contrast to the bright white walls.

Got The Blues

Who doesn’t love cobalt blue? I know I do. Now, some people might not be daring enough to do a full-length floor to ceiling tiled fireplace with a bold color, but I am loving the result, especially with the different use of glass subway tiles in a vertical pattern.

Large And In Charge Fireplace Tile

You can use marble that is usually seen on the floor if you want a cohesive look where it almost looks as though the surround is all one slab.

Sticking with more neutral colors like whites, creams, or light grays works well in this design. This is another example of larger tiles used for a fireplace surround. The same tile is continued to the hearth, where there is a large enough area for seating or to display artwork.

Take Your Fireplace Design Vertical

The gold porcelain tile with a mild gloss is an unexpected choice for a large modern surround like this one. But look at that glam! It really works. Just imagine sitting in this living room at night with the reflection of the flames bouncing off of that gorgeous tile.

The pattern and layout of the tiles are just as important as the type of tile you select.

Add Depth To The Design

The raised mod circles add subtle dimension to this tile design. The repeating texture of the tiles results in a ton of personality, while the neutral color balances out the look, so the design is not too overwhelming.

Look at how the understated hearth sits off the floor, bringing even more depth to this avant-garde style.

Unique Custom Made Mosaics

A fireplace can become the statement piece of an entire home. What better way to make your guests green with envy than to design a piece that rivals art in some of the hottest art galleries?

The bright orange glass mosaic and cobalt blue ceramic with pops of vibrant green combined with the different shapes make a colorful work of art for your home.

The bohemian design of this room is accentuated by the drama of the mosaic design.

It is hard to find words to describe the magnificence of this unique pattern. The jeweled glass mosaics mixed with metallic swirls give a funky yet glamorous feel to the room. And those striking wrought-iron gates deserve an article all their own.

This mosaic piece is a work of art in its own right. The decorative ceramics in earthy tones match the wood ceiling and furniture in the living room of this home and create a timeless masterpiece.

Pastels Bring Coastal Elegance

The pastel teal and tan mosaic design of the large flower tiles give a coastal elegance that is reminiscent of a sunny beach house in this family room. The vast wooden mantel brings in a natural element that breaks up the light colors of the surround and the white walls.

Intricate Flawless Focal Points

How would you like to count the mosaic squares on this metallic modern design? The intricacy of the tiling makes this a great room divider and a perfect counterpart to the larger squares on the floor.

This bathroom fire insert is another example of intricate design, this time using small vertical natural stones. The tan stone color continues the serene feeling of the bathroom and wood cabinets, making it a great place to enjoy a bubble bath in front of warm flames.

Pearlized stones are used from floor to ceiling make a sleek and sophisticated statement. It contrasts nicely with the built-in wood cabinetry.

Maintain The Style, Even Outdoors

This colorful mosaic surround compliments the adobe style of the home. Remember, when designing for an outside space, to make sure the you use outdoor-rated materials.

Stone Fireplace Done Right

There is definitely a way to do stone right, and this is it. While the natural stone takes up most of the wall, it is designed with a rustic simplicity that balances the more dramatic blue glass tiling that directly surrounds the gas insert.

The Hearth Stands On Its Own

When choosing a hearth design for a contemporary design, you need to decide if you will continue the tile, or pick a different material to complement the look. In this example, the lighter-colored solid surface hearth breaks up the space between the darker surround and flooring.

It’s Okay To Go Halfway

I wanted to show you this photo because it is so unexpected. It only goes halfway, but the shape and the dark metallic color blend perfectly with the industrial look of the other half of the surround.

Bold Colors

The vibrant red and orange glass remind me of fire. For a family room, it is okay to go as bold as you want, but I would suggest keeping the wall color and flooring more neutral.

Make a statement with this dark graphite gray porcelain with raised oval insets to give dimension. Again, tiling all the way to the ceiling gives this living room height.

Shimmer & Shine

The metallic mosaics remind me of a disco ball – without the accompanying music, of course. The light gold shimmer adds glam to an otherwise bland room design.

Keep The Focus On The Fire

With a two-sided one here where the obvious intent is to have the focus on the electric insert, using a more understated marble works well. The light colors and continuous tiling from floor to ceiling brings the eye directly to the fire and not focused on the surround.

Gray Stone Floor to Ceiling

Going all the way to the ceiling creates a remarkable effect that has a major impact. The gray brick-like stones used here combined with the tall windows is the perfect way to bring in natural light and make a statement.

The Entire Wall To Wall

The deep blue miniature subway tiles cover an entire wall, but the way it is done is not overpowering. If you are going to cover an entire wall, the consistent color, and the simple pattern are the perfect way to cover a large space without being too overwhelming.

Wave Patterns

The peaceful wave patterns gives a serene vibe, just like the rest of the bedroom. The gray accents around the insert gives an extra boost to the design and takes your eye where it is supposed to be – on the fire.