22 White Fireplace Ideas for a Bright Focal Point

Illuminate any space with these ideas for brick, stone, tile, and plaster fireplaces.

modern white living room with fireplace
Photo:

Chad Mellon

A white fireplace is an easy way to brighten a room and add a timeless focal point. Whether it’s a sleek modern fireplace with a streamlined design or a traditional wood burner with an elegant marble surround, a white fireplace adds charm and character to any space. Create symmetry and add function with flanking built-ins and wall sconces, or keep the look simple with a floating wood mantel.

Don't let an outdated fireplace interfere with the aesthetic of your space. A fresh coat of white paint can instantly update an outdated brick fireplace, while fresh tile or a new mantel can transform the entire room. We're sharing our favorite white fireplace ideas to help inspire your own fireplace makeover.

01 of 21

Traditional Meets Modern

white and pink living room with a fireplace

Julie Soefer

Styles merge in this chic living room that features a white fireplace wall with elegant molding and a traditional marble surround. A herringbone brick interior adds a warm, rustic contrast to the white walls, while a built-in bookshelf brightens the space and emphasizes the room’s focal point. The linear design of the molding and built-ins along with floor-length curtains highlight the generous ceiling height, which, along with the neutral color scheme, makes the room look modern, spacious, and inviting.

02 of 21

Painted Brick Fireplace

remodel living room white brick fireplace
Edmund Barr

A fresh coat of white paint and a streamlined white surround give this traditional wood-burning fireplace a modern update. A dark-stained wood mantel adds depth and contrast and complements the wood tones of the coffee table and midcentury modern armchairs. Use various wood tones throughout the room to balance out the starkness of a white fireplace and incorporate textured neutrals for coziness.

03 of 21

Contemporary Farmhouse Fireplace

modern white living room with fireplace

Chad Mellon

A sleek color palette of black and white lends a contemporary feel to this modern farmhouse living room. A vertical white shiplap wall is a neutral backdrop to a black fireplace surround that’s softened with a wooden floating mantel. Minimal accessories and a monochromatic color palette make the room feel clean and airy, while the addition of potted plants and wood furniture helps break up the neutral palette for a relaxed and welcoming feel. 

04 of 21

Simple Plaster Fireplace

large white fireplace in a living room

Tria Giovan

A floor-to-ceiling white plaster fireplace is a subtle yet beautiful focal point in this modern rustic living room. A black fireplace box and hearth add contrast, while the absence of a mantel or any wall art gives the room an understated sophistication. Hardwood floors, wood furniture, and tone-on-tone neutrals bring in warmth, while a white ceiling with wood beams points to the height of the fireplace.

05 of 21

Rustic Charm

rustic fireplace

Joyelle West

This cozy living room exudes rustic charm with stained wood beams, a painted brick wall, and an old-school wood burner. A splash of white paint on the brick wall lightens up the room and allows the fireplace to stand out. Animal-themed artwork, an antique cabinet, and neutral upholstered furniture give the small but cozy nook character, while a distressed area rug helps ground the space and anchor the furniture.

06 of 21

Light and Bright Tiled Fireplace

sea glass-green blue living area glass tile fireplace vaulted cypress ceiling
Jessica Glynn

A unique Moroccan-inspired fireplace silhouette paired with sea-blue tile is a stunning focal point in this living room. A whitewashed-wood cathedral ceiling is an unexpected design detail that helps draw the eyes up and adds to the room’s luxurious feel. Like a faraway hideaway, the all-white living room has a relaxed feel thanks to plush seating, textured accents, and decorative pieces that give the room a collected, lived-in feel. The white tiled fireplace and nearby built-ins create a sense of symmetry and height.

07 of 21

Timeless Brick Fireplace

white sitting room with white brick fireplace
Annie Schlechter

Flanked by built-ins and two small windows, this brick fireplace gives the illusion of extending to the ceiling. The small hearth and oversized mantel make an architectural presence in an all-white room. Keepsakes and mementos fill the space, adding comfort and character while ample blue seating ties into the adjacent room.

08 of 21

Sophisticated Design Mix

living-room-white-marble-lit-fireplace-6aMqj0ysqbm8epQBEnjVoK
Julie Soefer

Shades of white play an important role in the design of this living room by highlighting subtle contrasts. The marble fireplace surround serves as a counterpoint to the dark undertones used on the walls and furniture. Style contrasts bring the sleek color combination of maroon, blue, and white to life. A herringbone firebox juxtaposes abstract art pieces and contemporary furnishings.

09 of 21

Retro Glam

White brick fireplace

Anthony Masterson

A hefty brick fireplace recedes into elegant glamour, thanks to white paint and chic accessories. An oversize gold mirror and a pair of unique gold sculptures add sparkle, contrasting the stark white-painted kindling. The addition of gold accents picks up on other items in the living room, drawing the fireplace into the design fold of the space.

10 of 21

White and Wood Tones

fall décor white plaster fireplace
Michael Partenio

A white fireplace contrasts the various wood tones and cozy neutrals that make up this living room. The wood mantel and brownstone hearth tie the fireplace design to the rest of the room, providing continuity and allowing the fireplace to blend in with the wood tones present in the textiles and picture frame. Pops of orange add an extra layer of warmth to the stunning living room.

11 of 21

Polished and Comfortable

white marble fireplace in a bedroom

Dominique Vorillon

White marble gives a chic, polished look to a fireplace. Here, the material is paired with white shelves and molding. The mantel is a simple white shelf, which accents the marble without taking away from its polished look. Modern fretwork above the fireplace and the surround walls add detail to the white color palette. The bench, which provides the perfect storage space below for firewood, wraps around to the wall behind the fireplace, creating a comfy seating nook.

12 of 21

Simple Color Scheme

white living room with wood floors and fireplace
Brie Williams

The key to a successful monochromatic look is nuanced shifts. Here, a fireplace sits on a carved stone wall. A carved wooden mantel creates a visual break from the tone-on-tone stone facade and furniture. The simplicity of the fireplace and its traditional look complement rustic decor elements. Above the fireplace, vintage window frames and vases lend character to the space.

13 of 21

Farmhouse-Inspired Fireplace

white farmhouse living room mantle brick fireplace
Edmund Barr

A basic yet stately limewashed brick fireplace serves as a frame for a distinct white-paneled room. The narrow mantel makes this hearth look like an extension of the wall, rather than a separate entity. The minimalist design ties in perfectly with the farmhouse feel to add a sense of simplicity and sophistication to the room.

14 of 21

Cozy Elegance

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Brie Williams

A fireplace made of white stone blocks with a light brick firebox adds simple elegance to this cozy, neutral room. The frame-like surround of the firebox and the curved mantel are simple details that draw attention to the fireplace and contribute to the comfortable, yet formal feel of the room. The curved chimney portion of the fireplace brings a cottage, old-world feel.

15 of 21

Fireplace with Decorative Mantel

Fireplace white mantel
John Bessler

This fireplace is located in a pass-through area of a home. In order to make the fireplace stand out, the fireplace is emphasized with detailed white molding, tan tiles, and a deep black frame around the firebox. These features tie into the rich black wall and warm tones in the decor. An abstract, colorful painting and bright, shiny accessories on the deep mantel also draw attention to the hearth.

16 of 21

White Stone Fireplace

white stone fireplace
Karyn Millet

A plain white fireplace is transformed with an old, rustic beam mantel. The warm white finish of the stone fireplace and brick firebox is an elegant but simple combination. Neutral tones and textures elevate the atmosphere of the room, making it the perfect relaxation spot for you or your furry friend.

17 of 21

Making Old New Again

painted white brick fireplace
Reed Davis

An old fireplace makes a chic focal point in this living room. The original fixture adds rustic flair to an otherwise modernized space. Smooth and textured brick adds visual interest to the fireplace, while a classic mantel makes a great display space for a charming painting. Neutral furnishings mixed with pops of turquoise keep the space feeling vibrant and lively.

18 of 21

Curved Fireplace Surround

white fireplace small tile pattern
Edward Gohlich

A flair for the dramatic sets the design tone in this living room. From the high-backed armchairs to the ornately carved coffee table base, every element has something to say, especially the fireplace. A white fireplace adds a simple, clean slate to the room, but the structural design keeps it on par with the room's stirring style. A tall, rounded cove emphasizes the height of the fireplace and exaggerates the curve. Quatrefoil patterned tile and herringbone brickwork play on the room's patterned elements, ensuring the white fireplace doesn't look like a blank slate.

19 of 21

Add Natural Elements

mounted white cabinets beside fireplace
Helen Norman

A classic white mantel is spruced up with clean white-painted brick and forest-themed mantel accessories. The mantel extends to give the space character. Houseplants, vintage vases, and charming antique gold accents make the room welcoming.

20 of 21

Traditional White Fireplace

White fireplace living room

Brie Williams

A simple white fireplace stands out in this vintage living room. Various styles of furniture and accessories combined with a soft color palette give the room an aged look. The crisp white fireplace contrasts the muted hues to keep the space from looking muddied.

21 of 21

Built-In Structure

white fireplace with black tile
Gordon Beall

Built-in shelving units surrounding a fireplace make the components read as one, creating an eye-catching focal point for this living room. The symmetrical arrangements of the shelves draw attention to the fireplace in the center. A black frame around the firebox accentuates the fireplace even more. A simple antique mirror adorns the mantel for a crisp, sophisticated look.

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