Feature walls might be a design faux pas, but feature fireplaces? Designers definitely approve of this statement trend that elevates a cozy room

When I think of a cozy room, the first thing that almost always comes to mind is a fireplace. Whether it's a simple log-burning stove or a more decadent built-in feature, fireplaces make all the difference to a snug-feeling sitting room. But how can you make this classic feature even more of a focal point?

Well, fireplace tile ideas are of course what first comes to mind, but a trend I have noticed recently is that the tiles don't need to stop at a neat line around the edge. Like the backsplash trend of taking your tiles right to the ceiling, tiling the entire area around a fireplace, and taking it floor to ceiling is the way to do fireplace tiles in 2025.

Feature walls might be on the out, but feature fireplaces? Yes please. Texture and color and pattern and interest, all adding extra coziness and character. I asked designers who have created this look in their own living room projects to explain why this is the best way to surround your fireplace.

1. A luscious green centerpiece

Traditionally, tiles are used at the base of fireplace ideas, framing the hearth and acting as a source of insulation. Reimagining the traditional feature, this recent project showcases the beauty of a truly rich tile color, particularly when it's applied liberally from floor to ceiling.

Founder of furniture and interior design studio Woodward Throwbacks, Bo Shepherd explains, 'The fireplace in our Breckenridge project was always meant to be the soul of the home. With vaulted white oak ceilings and skylights pouring in natural light, we needed a material that would ground the space while interacting beautifully with light.'

Here is where tile ideas came into play. Bo adds, 'We chose a 4x4 cindered olive zellige tile for its raw texture and subtle sheen. The organic variation in each tile created a surface that felt earthy yet elevated, quietly reflecting light and adding movement throughout the day. To enhance its presence, we designed a built-in bench around the hearth, offering extra seating and making it a true gathering spot. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating a tactile, lived-in moment at the center of the home.'

2. A tiled turquoise chimney

Acknowledging the architecture of the property, interior designer Jessica Helgerson transformed the central chimney breast, creating a living room fireplace idea that defies tradition.

Jessica explains the design behind the space, 'The project was an absolute full re-imaging of a very run-down seventies house. Only the exterior shape really stayed the same. The fireplace was designed as a powerful visual divider to transform a VERY long room into two rooms (kitchen and living room) with much better proportions.'

Channeling tile trends, Jessica explains, 'The bluey green color and shiny surface are a bold contrast to the soft, warm golden wood.' The result is a deeply dramatic tiled fireplace that commands attention without dominating the room, instead serving as a whimsical focal point that breathes life into the space.

3. A mosaiced mural

You might've seen the tiled mural kitchen backsplash trend, but it works just as well on fireplaces to act almost like an alternative to wallpaper. Murals give the fireplace an even grander status, particularly when achieved with fine pieces of mosaic.

Roman Alonso of Commune Design designed the show-stopping tiled fireplace pictured above in the West Marin home. He explains, 'The client introduced us to the work of Oakland-based glass artist, Theodore Ellison. We commissioned two large stained-glass panels for the project, as well as this glass tile fireplace.'

Despite being a midcentury modern style living room, the intricacy of the glass tiles creates a perfect contrast with the wood paneling. Roman adds, 'The house is located on a beautiful site, and one of our goals was to inject the project with as many elements as possible inspired by the nature that surrounds it. We felt the floral motif was a wonderful way to do that, and it worked rather well with the Cactus Flower pattern on the Christopher Farr rug and other decorative elements in the room.'

4. A striking wall of burgundy

When you think of traditional living room ideas, it might be hard to imagine a wall covered from head to toe with tiles, but interior designer Anna Haines proves that sometimes a bold design choice is exactly what a classic space needs to add in something unexpected.

Staying true to the house style, Anna explains, 'We reinstated many of the original features of this project, introducing cornice and paneling to this living room, in a way that felt true to how it might have been before a developer stripped it all back.'

She adds, 'The idea behind the zellige-tiled chimney breast was to create a strong focal point that also acts as an artistic backdrop, bringing both depth and character to the space. The tiles are handmade zellige in a wonderful, rich, deep red, each with its own subtle variation in color. Each has its own natural irregularity, which gives them their charm and an organic quality, allowing the wall to feel alive and with an almost sculptural quality.'

To help the design blend together, Anna adds, 'We added antique furniture and aged brass fittings, both adding a lovely patina to the space, which seemed fitting with the tiled wall.'

I am convinced this is the way to do a feature wall. More textured than wallpaper, and so much more interesting than paint, a floor-to-ceiling tiled wall adds a ton of character. And although it makes sense for tiles to surround a fireplace, you don't technically need one to create this look. You could tile the wall behind a bed, tile alcoves to make them more of a feature, think anywhere you might usually hang wallpaper, could you be more unexpected and choose tile instead?