I Found These 20 Modern Fireplaces and Asked an Expert How to Copy
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your modern living room, one way to achieve a cohesive aesthetic is to ensure the fireplace also has a modern look. There are lots of ways to do this, depending on the types of changes you’re able to make. A modern fireplace looks minimalistic and sleek, with clean and fine lines, and is made with a variety of materials like stone, metal, concrete tiles, and even glass, says Carmen Diehl, principal designer at Charles Diehl Architect. “But most important, a modern fireplace now focuses on functionality and aesthetics rather than an element of decoration,” she shares.
Already have a fireplace in your living area that’s less-than-modern? A fresh coat of paint (with your landlord’s permission) might be the best way to update your fireplace if you rent your home (or if you own and don’t have it in the budget to replace one). Black, navy, and gray are popular chic and modern paint options. “You can either be subtle and paint it white or be bolder and paint it in a color that completely contrasts the colors of the house,” Diehl explains.
But if you’re able to do more extensive upgrades to create a modern fireplace, you could consider switching out the mantle for a sleek, simple one, adding modern tiling to the fireplace (you’ll see some fantastic ideas here), or incorporating modern elements like matte black or brushed metal.
Modern Fireplace Trends
There are a lot of current trends that fit that sought-after modern aesthetic. Diehl shares a few of her favorites:
- Double-sided fireplaces, which are situated in a central location and can be seen from all angles and multiple rooms.
- Linear fireplaces that are long, sleek, and rectangular — and have a wide flame display, giving the house a modern look.
- A frameless fireplace, which is great for creating a focal point in the house. Since it doesn’t use framing materials, it gives the illusion of glass attached to a wall.
- Floor–to–ceiling fireplaces that are used in big spaces to create a dramatic focal point.
- Smart fireplaces that incorporate smart home technology.
In this article, I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite fireplaces for you to browse. You might just find the inspiration you’ve been looking for in these modern fireplaces.
1. A Modern Marble Fireplace
During cold Chicago winters, a fireplace is a necessity. However, Wicker Park homeowners Gabriel Fontes de Faria and Grant Gochnauer’s marble fireplace is a work of art as well. Encased in modern white marble, the gorgeous fireplace in this minimal Chicago home features a coordinating white shelf above, which plays host to antlers that interrupt those clean, angular lines, along with florals that soften the entire space. Above the fireplace, you’ll find neatly framed art in green hues, a prominent color throughout the home.
Take in all the beauty of this modern home in the full House Tour.
2. A Stark Modern Minimalist Fireplace
The modern fireplace in this Toronto home is electric, and it’s encased all in white, with angular lines and no decor save for a pair of decorative antlers. It’s in keeping with the rest of this minimalistic space shared by Robyn and Sam. Regarding their commitment to minimalism, Robyn indicated during the tour that it’s about “moving away from the focus on ‘stuff’ rather than worrying about having tidy drawers or a certain number of items.”
See this pared-back space in the full House Tour.
3. A Modern Fireplace is Colorful and Maximalist
In the funky abode of content creator Maitri Mody, a stone fireplace stands stoically in the main living area. It could lend an outdated feel, but instead, Maitri has added playful, colorful accents like rainbow-hued candles, a bold lamp, and a floral print on the wall behind. These, along with the other decor above the fireplace, add a sense of maximalism, keeping with the rest of her colorful NYC apartment.
Explore more of Maitri’s vibrant space in the full House Tour.
4. A Fireplace That Fades Into the Background
In this modern Barcelona home shared by Alba and Khaled, the kitchen and dining area are an ample, open space. In the corner rests an unassuming modern fireplace that matches the wall behind it so as not to draw attention to itself. While small, it projects enough heat to make this living space warm and cozy.
Visit the full House Tour to see the rest of this beautiful Spanish home.
5. An Adorable Mid-Century Fireplace is a Talking Point
In Catherine’s 350-square-foot vintage-filled Chicago apartment she shares with her cat, she instantly fell in love with the quirky little fireplace in the living room. Shaped like a teepee, this mid-century modern fireplace works hard to keep the area warm and toasty. It’s painted white to prevent the vent from being too distracting in the small space.
See more of this cute apartment in the full House Tour.
6. A Red Fireplace Pops
The modern fireplace in Julie Judson’s colorful Boston apartment is encased entirely in red, which starkly contrasts the surrounding wall, which is painted white. But when you see the rest of her apartment, it makes sense: There are pops of color set against a neutral background. The result is clean and uncluttered but equally interesting.
Check out the full House Tour to see more of this colorful apartment.
7. A Stunning Scandi-Style Fireplace
When the Carmody family purchased this contemporary Michigan home, they set out to renovate it from top to bottom using a Scandinavian-inspired minimalist aesthetic. And they nailed it. Every inch of the house — including the modern fireplace anchoring their main living area — feels like a breath of fresh air. You’ll find neutral color palettes combined with light wood for an open, airy feel.
Visit the full House Tour to see more modern details throughout the space.
8. A Modern Fireplace With a Whimsical Pop of Color
This historic bungalow, located on the northwest side of bustling Chicago, is owned by Becky Bloom, a lawyer deeply inspired by her space’s array of funky colors. “Color is about what makes you happy — it isn’t about trends,” Bloom said at the time of the tour. Her artistic touch is evident throughout, and this bright orange fireplace is no exception. The standout color pops against the purple walls across the room and more than makes up for the stove’s smaller size.
Explore more of this whimsical home in the full House Tour.
9. A Dark Modern Fireplace Stands Out
This moody, stone-covered fireplace stands out against the pink-hued walls in the Seattle home of Zoë Withered and her partner Mark Lee. To give it a modern vibe, they’ve chosen carefully curated pieces — and several houseplants — to adorn the wooden mantle above, along with funky framed art on the surrounding walls.
Check out all the houseplants in this gorgeous home in the full House Tour.
10. A Modern Fireplace in a Colorful, Maximalist Abode
The stately white fireplace in Meg Gustafson’s Chicago home is anything but basic. That’s mainly thanks to the funky black-and-white pattern she’s added to the back of the firebox. It expertly picks up the black bottom of the fireplace and combines the whole look for a funky, modern vibe. A supercool vintage red music player rests atop the white mantle for a welcome pop of color.
Visit the full House Tour to see more of this ’80s-style home.
11. A Tiled Fireplace Stuns
Owner Andy Grant considers the style of her beautiful Detroit home to be “modern eclectic.” And the bold tiles she chose for her fireplace certainly fit that vibe. Knowing it would become a statement piece for the entire living area, she opted for a bold, black-and-white patterned tile to turn her existing fireplace into a modern one that fits the rest of the home. It’s a DIY project she takes a lot of pride in.
See the rest of her unique projects in the full House Tour.
12. A Rustic Fireplace in a Serene Setting
A rustic, modern fireplace looms large in Majo and Arturo’s Buenos Aires living room. Constructed of cement and featuring angular lines, this corner fireplace and its vent are painted an unassuming gray that doesn’t take the eye away from all the beautiful decor surrounding it.
Check out this stunning countryside oasis in the full House Tour.
13. A Stark White Modern Fireplace
Finding a home that was nearly in shambles didn’t scare off María José Montiel Meurer and her husband, Alejandro Peralta. Instead, they jumped headfirst into renovating their Buenos Aires home. And the results are stunning. Throughout, original details like brick walls and rustic beams take center stage, thanks to the otherwise minimalist design. The modern fireplace anchors their living space and is finished in white to coordinate with the white-washed brick walls behind it.
See more of this stunning space in the full House Tour.
14. A Modern Fireplace in a Victorian Home
When Forrest Lewinger and Molly Prentiss moved into this eclectic Brooklyn home, it had already undergone a transformation to take it from old-school Victorian style to a fresh, modern feel. The fireplace serves as sort of a juxtaposition of both styles. A dramatic, wooden hearth featuring Corinthian columns catches your eye immediately but gives way to modern tiling in subdued hues inside and surrounding the firebox.
Visit the full House Tour to see more of this wonderful home.
15. A Sleek Modern Fireplace Blends Right In
Professional organizer Tinka Markham Piper has designed her spacious Montreal home in a Scandinavian style with bright pops of primary color. Light wooden floors, white walls, and white furniture abound in the main living space. But as you can see, she’s used black as a stark contrast. Not only is black featured on the doors and fireplace vent, but also in the contrast stitching on the white easy chair. Colorful throw pillows and wall art help the space feel like home.
Check out the full House Tour to see Tinka’s clever use of space.
16. A Faux Leather Finish Stuns
This Oakland loft, rented by Tam-Anh and Ricky, features an industrial aesthetic, with exposed brick walls, metal beams, and gleaming wood floors. In their living room, a corner fireplace warms the space — literally and figuratively — with a faux leather finish in a handsome tan color.
See more of this supercool loft in the full House Tour.
17. A Modern Fireplace in a Trendy Space
This minimal Chicago loft, rented by Mel and Austin Holmes, checks all the boxes for a modern aesthetic. The overwhelmingly white interior mirrored on their modern fireplace, built into a wall, is offset by plenty of greenery and decorative accents like rugs and throw pillows.
Explore more of this wonderful loft in the full House Tour.
18. A Modern Fireplace is California Glam
This stunning black-and-white modern fireplace can be found in the North Carolina home shared by Ariene C. Bethea and Daren Z. Bethea II. The black mantle is cleverly surrounded by a swath of black paint that extends to the ceiling for an ultra-dramatic look while white marble pops below. In keeping with the modern aesthetic, tiny gold figurines adorn the mantle.
Take a closer look at this gorgeous home in the full House Tour.
19. A Fireplace Fits Right Into This Home’s Scandi Style
Freelance interior designer Kay Prestney knows precisely how she wants her home to look, and she’s curated every inch of her rustic England home to fit with her vision of a cozy, Scandi-style space. And that even includes the fireplace. Here, she’s incorporated a freestanding (or wall-mounted, in this case) modern fireplace by Danish company Scan. This attractive unit keeps a low profile: It’s certainly not the room’s focal point, but it’s a workhorse when it comes to keeping the space warm and inviting.
Visit the full House Tour to see more of this cozy home.
20. A Clean, Modern Fireplace Gives a Minimalist but Homey Vibe
This beautiful, modern fireplace is located in the light-filled California home of Daina and Justin Trout, founders of Health-Ade kombucha. Wide-plank blonde wood gives this fireplace a contemporary appeal mirrored in the neutral-hued wall art and wood basket. A few dark blue accents give the space a wash of color.
Check out the full House Tour to see more of this airy home.