7 Fireplace Surround Ideas That Will Ignite the Room

In addition to making everything cozier, a gas fireplace instantly adds warmth and beauty to your home’s interior. As a heat source, a fireplace usually sits in a central location in a room, allowing it to be a focal point featuring an attractive fireplace surround. You can create a beautiful fireplace surround using any number of non-combustible materials.

We’ll share some some unique and stylish gas fireplace surround ideas that will elevate the look of various interiors, ranging from sleek, modern aesthetics to beautiful, traditional designs.

1. Natural Stone

A stone fireplace is a great option for colder climates. Natural stone radiates heat, warming up the space faster and keeping it warm for longer. If you want to evoke a rustic feel, choose individual stones laid in a custom configuration for a unique look. If you prefer something sleeker and more modern, opt for a stone surround made from marble or granite. Looking to keep costs down? Choose a stone veneer or faux stone instead. Just make sure it can stand the heat that your fireplace will generate.

2. Concrete

This tough material isn’t just for city sidewalks. Concrete is making its presence more and more known these days as a basis for indoor surfaces like countertops, interior floors, and, you guessed it: fireplace surrounds. You can smooth concrete into sleek lines and finishes and tint it using a variety of colors, too. And because concrete holds the heat from the fire, a concrete surround can add further warmth to your home while providing a cool, modern  or industrial aesthetic.

3. Brick

Sturdy bricks are the old stand-by for traditional fireplace surrounds, but they can complement just about any interior, including ones with a modern design. Like stone, brick comes in various colors and sizes, so there are countless ways to arrange your brick surround to get the look you want. Once again, you can choose a veneer instead of real brick to give your existing fireplace surround a facelift or just keep costs down. You can choose standard or thin brick veneer for your fireplace remodel depending on your space and preferences.

4. Steel

Known for its industrial-chic look, steel comes in various finishes that provide a striking accent to a room’s interior, particularly when the glow of the flames illuminates the space. Steel might be a good option for you if you prefer a modern decor, as it’s sleek and refined. Most homeowners who opt for a steel fireplace surround will stay away from gas fireplace inserts and instead opt for a contemporary look, like fire rocks or fire glass.

5. Tile

Don’t let the shower walls or kitchen backsplash have all the fun. A fireplace surround done up in stone or ceramic stone tile can add style to your space. The best part of this option is that tile comes in a variety of prices to suit any budget. We recommend choosing porcelain tiles over traditional ceramic tiles, as they are stronger and will stand up better to changes in temperature from your fireplace.

6. Wood

Wood is a timeless option that can fit into nearly any decor style. Although wood is combustible and therefore the source of the fire itself in a wood-burning stove, you can still include it as part of your gas fireplace surround, too.

However, you must ensure that the surround is built properly and in accordance with the National Fire Code. The code says that any wood or other combustible material used as part of the mantel or trim must maintain a distance of at least 6 inches from the opening of the firebox. For every eighth inch of protruding trim, there must be an additional inch of clearance from the firebox.

7. Plaster

Plaster is similar to stucco but with a base of gypsum rather than lime, and it’s a popular and trendy indoor option in hot, dry climates, like the Southwestern United States. Plaster stands up to heat well, although it can crumble over time from rapid changes in temperature. Thankfully, plaster repair is simple, so you can keep your plaster fireplace surround looking good as new without much maintenance.

Regardless of the fireplace surround idea you go with, we recommend consulting a gas fireplace service and installation company near you for help installing it. It’s possible to install a surround yourself, but any errors made can increase the risk of a fire starting, potentially resulting in personal injury and major property damage.

A professional can also help you learn more about local and national regulations regarding fireplace surrounds and which material might suit your home best.