Hearth tile ideas – 11 creative ways to upstyle your fireplace

From an aesthetic and practical point of view, a fireplace is a valuable addition to any room. It provides a much-needed focal point, as well as essential warmth if you have a functional fire or stove.

A tiled hearth will add the finishing touch to a fireplace and is a great way to introduce colour and pattern into an otherwise plain space. Fireplace hearths were traditionally constructed of thick slabs of stone or brick, providing floor protection from rogue embers and a stable base to cook on. As time went on, fireplace hearths became less rustic and more elegant, with more decorative tiles replacing natural stone.

Using tiles for a fireplace hearth extension can transform a room and it allows you to be really creative. Tiles can provide a beautiful contrast between metal and brick or natural stone and wood and there are many different types to choose from.

How can I tile a fireplace hearth?

Hearths for open fires and wood-burning stoves will have minimum thickness requirements. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use thinner tiles, however. You may be able to tile over an existing hearth or you can construct one using fire rated construction board. HETAS has some helpful guidelines for hearth dimensions.

If your hearth is recessed, it’ll be the same level as the floor in the rest of the room. If it’s raised, the hearth will be easier to tile as you won’t have to worry about it being level with the floor.

What tiles are suitable for a fireplace hearth?

If your hearth tiles need to be able to withstand heat, porcelain and natural stone are the best options. Porcelain is fired at extremely high temperatures and is one of the most durable flooring materials. Porcelain tiles are available in just about every style, size and finish, from realistic stone effect to brightly coloured mosaics. You can also opt for natural stone tiles such as slate and granite, local stones like bath stone or hamstone, and terracotta.

If your fireplace is purely decorative, then you can happily use ceramic tiles or even stencil a pattern over existing tiles.

Fireplace hearth tile ideas

If you want to liven up your living room with some statement hearth tiles, we’ve selected some creative ways to tile your heath from traditional style to ultra-modern and quirky designs.

Patterned hearth tiles

A perfect example of a beautifully tiled recessed hearth, these patterned tiles make a stylish contrast with the plainer fireplace and gorgeous wooden floor.

If you’re fitting tiles into a recess, you’ll need to take care to make sure that they are level with the surrounding floor. It’s a good idea to dry fit your tiles before fixing them to make sure that they’ll fit, you can also experiment with different layouts. If you’re using patterned tiles, you’ll want to place any cut tiles towards the back of the fireplace.

Image credit: @the_house_around_the_corner

Recommended Range: Damask

Bold hearth tiles

Whether it’s bold patterns or bright colours, you can definitely afford to be adventurous with hearth tiles. It’s only a small area after all!  Pick your favourite colour, match a feature wall or a treasured piece of furniture or choose the most brilliantly patterned tiles you can find.

Image credit: @littlethings_everywhere

Penny hearth tiles

These miniature tiles may look modern but they’ve been around for over a century. Usually made from glossy ceramic or porcelain, these tiles are usually round or hexagonal and come on sheets for easier installation. Often used in wetrooms and bathrooms, they make a smart and unusual choice for a hearth.

Image credit: @boardand.batten

Modern hearth tiles

Hearth tiles don’t have to be completely smooth and we love this contemporary take on a recessed hearth for a modern wood burner. The curved edge adds to the beauty of this hearth.

Image credit: @_loftygoals

Victorian checkerboard hearth tiles

If you have a Victorian-style fireplace you can choose to stick with the classic Victorian tile design or match it with more modern tiles. The ever-popular checkerboard pattern is always a great choice and as the design has been around since the Bronze age, it’s a pretty safe bet. Mix the tile layout up for added interest and you can introduce different colours too.

Image credit: @end_of_the_row

Star hearth tiles

Beautifully bold tiles are a perfect choice for a fireplace hearth. If you’ve always been keen to use statement tiles but are wary of using them over a large area, a hearth is a great place to start. These rustic-style star tiles are a great way to add a dash of character to a fireplace.

Image credit: @the_barrass_abode

Recommended Range: Regal

Brightly coloured hearth tiles

Add a splash of happiness to your home and opt for brightly coloured hearth tiles, It’ll be a welcome pop of colour when you enter the room and it will work especially well in rooms with otherwise neutral decor, although the yellow walls in this room are pretty fabulous too!

Image credit: @victorianterracerenovation

Slate hearth tiles

Classic and hardwearing, slate tiles are a popular choice for a hearth. Whether you go for natural slate or ultra-realistic slate-effect porcelain, this durable material looks fantastic, is easy to keep clean and, being black, won’t show any sooty marks!

Image credit: @fireplacecentre

Recommended Tile: Welsh Slate Bangor Black  

Terracotta hearth tiles

Another classic tile, terracotta tiles are durable and stylish. Natural terracotta tiles have a matt finish which works well with natural materials like wood, cast iron and stone.

Image credit: @raleighhomematchmaker

Subway hearth tiles

Modern Victorian splendour at its very best, classic subway tiles have been used to create an elegant hearth in this home. With a huge range of colours and textures to choose from, subway tiles are one of the most versatile tiles that you can choose for a hearth.

Image credit: @renovate_thirty_eight

Recommended Tile: Rio Verde

Limestone hearth tiles

Understated and elegant, it’s hard to go wrong with natural stone tiles. Limestone is available in a wide range of colours from buff to black. You can also opt for limestone-effect porcelain which has all the qualities of limestone, without the maintenance.

Image credit: @thegeorgiannest

Hearth tile tips

• If your fireplace contains a working fire, it’s best to choose natural stone, porcelain or terracotta tiles for the hearth.
• Dry lay your tiles before fixing them, especially if you have a recessed hearth.
• Dare to be different! With such a small area of tile, you can afford to pick a colour or design that you might not usually go for.

If you’re inspired to tile your hearth or fireplace, Atlas Ceramics has a wide range of tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.