Your fireplace should be the absolute star of the room, not just a builder-grade afterthought. I gathered my favorite ways to upgrade that space using everything from moody paint to textured plaster.

1. Floor-to-Ceiling Concrete Porcelain

Large format tiles mean fewer grout lines to clean. You can run a gorgeous concrete-look porcelain from the floor all the way to the ceiling for a massive visual impact.

2. Moody Monochromatic Paint

Paint the entire surround in a dark moody color.

A deep charcoal or forest green instantly hides soot marks while making your fire pop. Carry that same matte paint across the mantel and baseboards for a seamless, high-end finish.

3. Natural White Oak Boards

I always love the warmth of a natural wood surround in a stark white room. To get this look right, you just need a few basic supplies:

• White oak boards
• Clear matte sealant
• A brad nailer

4. Textured Plaster

A Roman clay finish gives your room that soft, lived-in European aesthetic. It brings an incredible cloudy texture that bounces light beautifully around the living space. You apply this material with a putty knife in overlapping arcs to build up the depth. It dries down to a gorgeous mottled stone look that feels completely custom. The subtle variations in color make the whole wall feel incredibly expensive.

5. Vertical Walnut Slats

I recently used vertical wood slats in a client's mid-century living room.

We stained them a rich walnut and ran them vertically from the mantel to the ceiling.

The clean lines draw the eye straight up.

Why it works: Why it works: The vertical orientation creates the illusion of higher ceilings while adding intense architectural interest.

6. Solid Painted Brick

A standard brick fireplace can be completely transformed with just two coats of masonry paint. Whitewashing is out, but a solid coat of warm beige paint feels fresh and intentional. The thick paint fills in the porous surface just enough to soften the harsh edges of the brick. You get to keep that classic texture without the heavy, dated red tones dragging your room down. It takes less than a weekend to completely change the vibe of your space.

7. Black Herringbone Tile

The contrast of black herringbone tile against a crisp white mantel grounds the entire living room. Installing the tiles in a geometric pattern adds movement to an otherwise flat surface. Using a matching dark grout keeps the pattern from looking too busy or overwhelming. This setup frames the firebox perfectly and hides ash dust like a dream. It strikes the perfect balance between classic design and modern edge.

8. Extended Limestone Hearth

Extending your stone surround an extra 12 inches on either side makes a standard firebox look twice as large. A chunky limestone slab provides a solid, earthy anchor for the room. Leaving the stone unpolished highlights the natural imperfections and keeps the space feeling relaxed. You can rest a low-profile iron log holder right on the extended hearth. It turns a basic architectural feature into a massive statement piece.

9. Glossy Zellige Tiles

Zellige tiles catch the natural light completely differently than standard ceramic because of their uneven glazed surface. You will want to grab these materials to pull off this glossy, handmade look:

• Square Moroccan tiles
• Tile spacers
• Pre-mixed mortar

10. Seamless Veined Marble

Using a single slab of veined marble costs more upfront but completely eliminates grout maintenance. The dramatic gray veining acts as natural art, so you barely even need to decorate the mantel. A honed finish on the stone keeps the glare down when your fire is blazing.

11. Over-Grouted Cottage Stone

I am slightly obsessed with the rough texture of an over-grouted stone fireplace right now. The mortar gets smeared messily over the stones to replicate an old European cottage.

Why it works: Why it works: Blurring the lines between the stones creates a softer, more unified surface that feels incredibly cozy.

12. Floating Concrete Hearth

A floating concrete hearth needs heavy-duty steel brackets bolted directly into the wall studs.

Pouring the concrete in place lets you customize the exact thickness and edge profile. The raw, industrial vibe of the smooth concrete contrasts beautifully with a warm wood fire.

13. Fluted Plaster Details

A fluted plaster surround works because the vertical ridges create deep, dramatic shadows.

You can form these channels using a custom trowel before the plaster sets.

The repeating pattern feels very art deco but looks surprisingly modern.

14. Large-Format Steel Panels

A sleek, minimalist aesthetic is easy to achieve with large-format steel panels. The dark metal oxidizes slightly over time, giving the room a cool, industrial edge that pairs perfectly with modern furniture.

Just make sure to seal the metal so it doesn't rust out.

15. Reclaimed Brick Basketweave

Using reclaimed brick works beautifully because the weathered faces carry decades of natural character. Laying them in a subtle basketweave pattern elevates the rustic material into something much more sophisticated.

It is the ultimate way to add soul to a brand-new build.