There were over 48,000 Google searches on fireplaces in the last month, so it seems homeowners are looking for the perfect way to spruce up their fireplaces for the winter season! To offer some inspiration, the experts at Atlas Ceramics have created a tips piece on which tiles, colours and decorations will make your fireplace even more fabulous!

Beautiful Brick-effect

Brick-effect tiles in a tan-brown colour can create a gorgeous earthy and natural aesthetic. Not only do brick effect tiles emphasise your fireplace but they also act as a blank canvas for decoration. Brick-effect tiles are perfect for wood-burning stoves, as this allows your fireside essentials to become homeware accessories and can also become a focal point, too. 

We’d recommend letting the brick-effect tiles do most of the work and match this earthy aesthetic with a classic farmhouse interior style. Partner brick-effect tiles with a dark-hued colour palette including colours such as black, navy or dark grey. 

If you prefer a lighter look, you could opt for vibrant green brick-effect tiles or if you prefer to experiment even further, go for a lemon yellow. Lemon yellow tiles have made a recent comeback in the last few years and create a wonderful contrast to dark hues if you’re looking to bring the world of light and dark together. 

Marvellous Mosaics

Mosaic tiles have certainly increased in popularity in the last few years. If you have a period property with the original fireplace installed, consider restoring the original fireplace tiles. Not only is this cost-effective, but it also means you can upcycle previous materials. 

Mosaics are the perfect way to add a subtle twist to an otherwise traditional fireplace or interior. We’d recommend going for a stone grey or blue-jean type of blue for a subtle yet sleek look. You can also combine brick-effect tiles with Moroccan tiles, to bring contemporary and traditional worlds together.

If you’re starting from scratch, it’s worth ordering different samples or visiting a showroom, especially for mosaic tiles as there are so many varieties of patterns, shapes and colours! 

High-class Herringbones

If you’re concerned about space but aren’t a fan of mosaic tiles, go for herringbone tiles. Herringbone tiles are the perfect tiles for creating the illusion of space whilst providing a simple and effortless look. 

If you are looking to introduce a bright pop of colour without the overpowering tones, we recommend eggshell, apricot or periwinkle colours. These colours are perfect for open hearths as they add a subtle, yet minimal colourful aesthetic and utilise the space. 

If you’re in the mood for experimenting, why not have fun with the colour of your grout? A clear white grout can make deep blue herringbone tiles stand out and provide a subtle pattern. You can also pair darker colours with dark grout to create a lovely matte-looking finish. 

Sleek Slate and Splitface

One cost-effective tile option that never goes out of style is slate tiles or splitface tiles. These tiles are perfect for covering large areas such as open hearths, or even your entire chimney breast, to make your whole wall and fireplace the feature of a room. 

As you can buy these tiles in a porcelain format this makes the material ideal for fireplaces, as they create a beautiful look without the need for sealing or treating. The industry has seen slate and splitface tiles become hugely popular for this reason, as they look like a natural stone façade. Minimising grout width and matching grout colour amplifies this effect by creating this seamless finish.

For a minimalist approach to your fireplace, combine slate or splitface tiles with either a light-coloured mantelpiece or stick with a dark colour scheme. Colours such as grey or navy will show off the natural carves and engravings of your mantelpiece.