Contemporary Fireplace Tile Design Ideas
Completing the Modern Home Design
The contemporary fireplace design is often the focal point of the contemporary living space. Clean lines and modern furnishings should be complimented and influenced by the choices made for the fireplace surround and hearth. Keeping the entire room’s design in mind when making the tile choices, will ensure a seamless, eye catching look.
Materials to Look For When Designing the Contemporary Fireplace
The contemporary fireplace is often characterized by clean lines, oversized or mosaic tiles, and frequently, the lack of a mantel. Any material at all can be used on a fireplace surround or interior. The fireplace hearth will need to use a floor rated material, such as porcelain or stone, and ideally should be easy to sweep clean without attracting and holding dust, ashes or dirt. Ceramic and glass tiles are formed in a temperature far higher than what will be generated by the fireplace, so don’t be afraid to use whatever material is desired for the surround or even the interior of the firebox.
Large slate tiles can give a matte, textured appearance to a fireplace that will fade into the background of a room. Multi-colored penny round mosaic tiles can pull colors from fabrics, walls and window treatments, while giving the fireplace a playful, focused appeal. Glass tiles, in any shapes, size or form can add a great deal of light to a dark space, while providing color, movement and a modern look.
Fireplace Tile Designs
One of the first things to consider when planning a fireplace design is how wide the fireplace surround “legs” are, and how high the top of the surround is. A fireplace surround that has legs only 5” wide, would not work well with 4” or 3x6” subway tiles. Mosaic tiles, however, would fill the space well, and create a seamless affect to the entire space. Cutting down a larger tile, such as a 12x12” tile, to fit the space is an attractive option for homeowners desiring a plain, simple look.
For fireplace surrounds that are extremely wide, or take up much of the wall, consider using oversized tiles, in sizes up to 24x24”, and playing with the grout joints; offsetting the tiles on the walls, and laying them stacked on the hearth. Consider using multiple sizes of one tile to make a unique and interesting pattern around the fireplace surround. Try taking tiles sized in multiples of 2”, such as 2”, 4”, 4x8” and 8” tiles, and creating a puzzle like effect, with the pattern repeating itself every couple of feet. Or mix subway tiles, with 6” square tiles for a geometric look.
If using patterned tiles, try to keep them to a minimum to avoid making the fireplace appear too busy. If using multi-colored tiles, or mosaics, make sure that each color used is already in place somewhere in the room, to avoid visually clashing the fireplace and the furnishings.
Grout Joints and Tile Edges
Try to keep grout joints as tight as possible, butt edging the tiles closely. Look for tiles that have clean, straight edges and avoid tumbled stones or handmade tiles. Natural stone tiles that have an uneven or cleft face can work well in a contemporary space, provided the edges are straight enough to fit the pieces together with little to no grout.
If the fireplace has no mantel, and the firebox opens to the entire wall, consider tiling the entire space, turning the area the fireplace is into an accent wall. The fireplace should draw and focus the eye, as well as anchor the design of the room, so be sure to pull from materials and colors already in place when making tile choices. Keep the overall affect of the fireplace design and its place in the room in mind while designing, and enjoy the warmth and beauty of the fireplace and hearth for years to come.
Slate Tiles Give a Contemporary Look
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Mosaic Tiles Create a Background to the Room
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