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We found the cosiest spots in our digital archive
Nothing grounds a room quite like a fireplace. Whether functional or purely decorative, it gives a space structure and focus and often serves as a natural point around which a scheme can form. In living rooms, furniture tends to gather around it; in bedrooms, it becomes a natural perch for framed artwork and collected pieces, acting as a reminder of the house’s history. Time and again in the houses we visit, it’s the mantel that offers the clearest glimpse of a homeowner’s personality.
With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite fireplaces from the House Beautiful archives – each one proof that this architectural feature still has the power to define a room.
This contemporary fireplace in an Edwardian villa proves that minimal can still feel inviting. Set within a white chimney breast and framed by open shelves, the open fire adds warmth without visual heaviness. A large mirror above reflects the sculptural chandelier overhead, while tactile pieces make the scheme feel comfortable rather than stark.
This living room in Folkestone is a child-free zone, so homeowner Ida Jakobsson-Wells went all in on opulent luxury. The walls are saturated in Bauwerk limewash in a deep green, carried up onto the ceiling to create a cocooning effect. The antique fireplace, sourced on Facebook Marketplace, originally came from an old chapel.
A classic mantelpiece is transformed into a dramatic centrepiece through a fearless use of colour. With both the walls and fireplace drenched in vivid red, interior designer Natasha Lyon has created a cocooning, immersive effect. The richness is offset by punchy contrasts – green upholstery, graphic stripes and jewel-toned accessories – proving that bold palettes can feel curated rather than chaotic.
A traditional fireplace grounds this colour-drenched room, its marble surround and classic detailing perfectly suited to the home’s early Victorian architecture. By painting the skirting, walls, shelves and mouldings in one cohesive shade, homeowner Melanie Lissack has created a cocooning backdrop that complements the period features.
This period fireplace is given new life by its backdrop in Sheree Millington's home. Rich ochre walls intensify the drama of the black cast iron, while emerald-green tiles inside the surround add a jewel-like contrast. An ornate mirror and sculptural shell sconces complete the layered look, proving that heritage features shine bright when paired with confident colour.
There may be no roaring fire here, but homeowner Yoko Kloeden has made sure the chimney breast still commands attention. Covered in zellige blue tiles, it reads almost like a mosaic feature wall, bringing colour, depth and texture to the room. Exposed brick within the empty hearth contrasts with the gloss of the tiles, while saturated upholstery in cobalt blue adds rich comfort to the space.
This fireplace was a hidden gem, rediscovered and reinstated during the renovation by homeowner Vic White. She chose to paint the walls in Off Black by Farrow & Ball, the same shade used in their previous home, creating a cocooning backdrop that allows the fire to take centre stage. The existing bookshelves were retained to frame the chimney breast.
In Jodie Hazlewood’s flat, this fireplace proves that size isn’t everything. Though compact, it packs a punch when paired with lively pattern. Alongside the decorative mouldings and vivid red tiles, the mantel stands out against exuberant floral wallpaper, while a neat stove and layered textiles, wicker and botanicals bring life and softness.
Inspired by an image she had saved on Pinterest, homeowner Abi Campbell designed a long, cast concrete bench to sit beneath the log burner, commissioning a Bristol-based artist to make the bench in one solid piece of white concrete. Its pared-back form adds a sculptural quality to the space and has become one of Abi’s favourite features.
Painted in a deep, earthy terracotta, this fireplace pops against sky blue panelling, turning a traditional mantel into a focal point in Joanna MacLeod's Isle of Skye home. The rest of the scheme is kept simple, with blush upholstery and brass accents tying it all together. It’s a lesson in how colour can transform even the simplest architectural feature.
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