A room with a fireplace has a built-in focal point, but you can enhance this homey feature even more by using it as the base for an eye-catching accent wall.
Clad your fireplace accent wall in wood paneling, rustic stone, decorative tiles, paint, wallpaper, or custom finishes. Decorate the wall above the mantel with art, mirrors, or decor objects to adapt it to your home style, be it traditional, modern, farmhouse, Scandi-style, or anything in between.
Whether you live in a condo with an electric fireplace, a suburban new build with a linear gas fireplace, or a large country house with an original wood-burning fireplace, check out these fireplace accent walls in a range of materials, styles, and settings for inspiration.
- 01 of 19
Wood Slats
Clad the wall behind a modern fireplace in thin vertical wood to create pattern and movement that is neutral enough to pair easily with other finishes. Arbor & Co. created this fireplace accent wall by combining wood slats with a mix of white textured and patterned tiles and a simple light wood mantel.
Continue to 2 of 19 below - 02 of 19
Black Background
Turn a small fireplace accent wall into a memorable feature by painting it pitch black and using it as a backdrop for colorful art. Interior designer Alvin Wayne chose a saturated matte shade, painting the firebox and niche in the same creamy white as the walls for contrast.
A vibrant color painting is paired with a display of colorful decorative logs in the firebox, a creative solution for warmer months or those with non-working fireplaces.
Continue to 3 of 19 below - 03 of 19
Reclaimed Wood
Design by Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Reclaimed wood is a sustainable material that will add character to a rustic fireplace accent wall. Interior designers Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost decorated this basement family room fireplace wall with wide vertical wood panels that complement a chunky dark stained mantel and glazed brick wood-burning fireplace for a cozy look.
Continue to 4 of 19 below - 04 of 19
Tiered Concrete
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
If you are a homeowner planning a full remodel, design a fireplace accent wall to put your own stamp on the room. Leanne Ford Interiors created a tiered fireplace feature with a graphic three-dimensional feel that is finished in a concrete skimcoat for a neutral but textured look.
Continue to 5 of 19 below - 05 of 19
Oak Wood Paneling
Oak paneling with a lighter natural finish feels both classic and current, making it the perfect choice for a fireplace accent wall in traditional or modern space. Marie Flanigan Interiors paired the warm oak wall paneling with a black-and-white fireplace and a vintage mirror and wall sconces for a modern traditional feel.
Continue to 6 of 19 below - 06 of 19
Paint and Wallpaper Combo
Design by Caroline Andréoni Interior Design / Photo by Sophie Lloyd
Combine finishes to create an accent wall with polish and dimension. Caroline Andréoni Interior Design amplified the beautiful bones of a classic Parisian living room fireplace wall with peacock blue paint on the traditional moldings. Patterned Art Deco wallpaper on the backs of the built-ins flanking the fireplace adds dimension, and a small mirror adds a modern nod to tradition.
Continue to 7 of 19 below - 07 of 19
Whitewashed Brick
Pair a whitewashed brick fireplace with chunky light wood floating shelves and a matching mantel for a simple modern farmhouse look, like this space from Jessica Nelson Design.
Continue to 8 of 19 below - 08 of 19
Painted Stucco
Paint a stucco fireplace wall in a cheerful or mood-boosting color, like this space from deVOL Kitchens. A single painted portrait hangs on the wall to create a focal point above the wood-burning stove.
Continue to 9 of 19 below - 09 of 19
Vertical Shiplap
Design by Light and Dwell / Photo by Amy Bartlam
Create a subtle fireplace accent wall by installing vertical shiplap panels in the same color as the walls, like this space from Light and Dwell. The shiplap makes the asymmetrical layout feel more cohesive and draws the eye up to the pitched ceilings.
Continue to 10 of 19 below - 10 of 19
Stone With White Grout
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Pale stone with white grout has an earthy but refined European feel that adds character to a modern living room. Marie Flanigan Interiors mized the creamy stone with neutral tones, a white fireplace surround, and light wood accents.
Continue to 11 of 19 below - 11 of 19
Tile and Wallpaper
Create a bold look by mixing tile and wallpaper. Michelle Boudreau Design created a striking oversized fireplace accent wall with Moroccan influences by pairing vivid blue tile with patterned blue-and-white wallpaper that sets the tone for the rest of the space.
Continue to 12 of 19 below - 12 of 19
Black and White Paint
Black and white is a classic pairing that will never go out of style. Louis Duncan-He Designs turned the fireplace wall of this black-and-white living room into a functional feature with black and white paint, creating a backdrop that allows a colorful collection of vintage albums to function as decor.
Continue to 13 of 19 below - 13 of 19
Painted Wood Paneling
Design by Crisp Architects / Photo by Rob Karosis
Painted white wood paneling will add dimension to a traditional fireplace wall like this double fireplace wall from Crisp Architects that is finished with a black fireplace surround and matching candle sconces for a cozy feel.
Continue to 14 of 19 below - 14 of 19
Built-In Firewood Niche
Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
Decorate your fireplace accent wall with a built-in niche for displaying firewood, like this space from Emily Henderson Design. The niche will add convenient firewood storage for a wood-burning fireplace, or trick the eye into making a gas or electric insert look more real.
Continue to 15 of 19 below - 15 of 19
Exposed Original Brick
Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Kasia Fizser
Many people who live in older homes will find that exposing the brick of an original fireplace is a charming way to honor the history of the space. London-baesd Emilie Fournet Interiors celebrated the worn patina of the bricks on the bedroom fireplace, updating it with a chunky pale wood mantel for a modern rustic feel.
Continue to 16 of 19 below - 16 of 19
Board and Batten
Mindy Gayer Design Co. / Photo by Lane Dittoe
Use board and batten to add subtle texture to a modern fireplace accent wall, like this coastal living room from Mindy Gayer Design Co.
Continue to 17 of 19 below - 17 of 19
Dimensional Tile
If you are going for a modern glam look, pair a linear fireplace with a black wall clad in dimensional tiles for a 3D feel. Michelle Boudreau Design paired this eye-catching feature wall with all-black art over the fireplace.
Continue to 18 of 19 below - 18 of 19
Stacked Stone
Create an accent wall around a low linear fireplace with wall-to-wall built-ins and floating shelves. Forbes + Masters clad the wall above the built-ins in pale stacked stone to contrast with the black ceiling paint.
Continue to 19 of 19 below - 19 of 19
Mixed Materials
If you are maximalist who can't get enough color or pattern in your life, turn your fireplace accent wall into a mood board for all of your favorite finishes. Dazey Den created a modern fever dream of a Victorian living room by painting the fireplace pink, covering the brick in alternating shades of green, installing painted wainscoting and hanging wallpaper all on the same wall for a singular look.