16 Fireplace Accent Wall Ideas to Add Excitement to Your Home

Published: November 9, 2021

Updated: October 30, 2023

The fireplace is the heart of your home. It adds warmth, personality, and character to any space, as well as becoming the main focal point. What better way to highlight it than by building a fireplace accent wall?

A beautiful accent wall calls attention to the fireplace, allowing it to stand out rather than fade into the background. It can add extra pizzazz and reignite a boring fireplace.

Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a more prominent finish, there are tons of accent wall options to choose from. These range from installing wood paneling and putting up geometric wallpaper to painting with bold colors and building stone or brick walls. If your fireplace is already eye-catching by itself, you don’t have to create an entire accent wall. You can get away with dressing it up with stylish décor or built-ins.

Before embarking on a project, make sure your fireplace is the room’s sole focal point, otherwise, you risk creating a visual mess. This is especially applicable in living rooms with two focal points, such as the entertainment center and fireplace. You also have to ensure the accent wall is in perfect harmony with the fireplace surround. So if your fireplace already has noticeable imperfections or is awkwardly positioned, think twice.

Here are some fireplace accent wall ideas to inspire you while you spruce up your space.

01
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Super Modern

Photo: blessed_ranch

The sleek wooden shiplap in this fireplace accent wall visually widens the angled corner, making it appear larger than it actually is. Its gray hue infuses a modern yet serene vibe that blends in with the muted, neutral color palette of this contemporary living room. For a bolder look, swap out the gray with a brighter color like blue or orange instead.

02
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Create a Build-Out

Photo: briemarie1023

The gray hue with warm undertones exudes an inviting and cozy vibe to this two-toned room. The build-out helps break up the long wall, as well as add dimension and architectural interest to the bare wall. The wooden mantel introduces a rustic charm and contrasts against the shiplap. Wall sconces add character and extra light sources to the accent wall.

03
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Contrasting Textures

Photo: homesweetlakehouse

Instead of sticking to just one texture, why not layer different textures, as demonstrated in this space? The unfinished wood of the accent wall infuses this space with raw charm and rustic appeal. The vintage mantel adds more depth and elevates the already unique space. This space has so much going for it, you probably didn’t notice the fireplace is faux, did you?

04
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Stacked Stonework

Photo: kira_turner

Emphasize your room’s height with a tall feature wall just like in this living room. The muted stonework perfectly complements the stark white walls, while its height instantly draws the eye upwards to the soaring ceiling. The gray and cream hues of the stone match the décor accents in the surrounding cabinets, creating a cohesive look.

05
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Crisp and Neat

Photo: dollarhideranch

For those who want to keep a monochromatic color palette, use patterns to highlight an accent wall. To really make a statement, you can mix two different patterns, just like in this picture. The optical illusion created by the herringbone pattern adds depth and subtle style to the wall while also drawing the eye upwards, making the ceiling appear taller. The combination of the two patterns creates an accent wall that isn’t overpowering, yet interesting enough to stand out.

06
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Create Contrast

Photo: survivalofasuburbanmom

An inexpensive way to create an accent wall is by painting it a bold color. Dressing up the accent walls with a coat of vibrant, rich green hue shines the spotlight on the warm-toned striking fireplace. The contrast created by these two colors on the opposite ends of the spectrum results in a strong visual impact that feels both inviting and dramatic. The use of wood in the fireplace surround adds a natural element and complements the natural accents on the mantel and shelves.

07
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Use Two Materials

Photo: tuxedofarmhouse

Keep things interesting and use two materials for your accent wall! The combination of different textures from the stonework and wooden shiplap creates a unique accent wall. Whitewashing the stone to mimic the white hue of the overhead wood paneling helps tie the whole look together, creating a cohesive finish. The fresh garland foliage adds a punch of greenery.

08
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Keep it Clean

Photo: whiteblossomhome

Looking for a minimalist accent wall? This wooden shiplap in light gray tones makes this neutral room look polished and sleek. The horizontal panels emphasize the clean lines of the fireplace, mantel, and adjacent walls, while the German smear hearth and rustic mantel introduce texture and visual weight to balance out the space.

09
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Add Some Color

Photo: diapersanddecor

Give your fireplace accent wall a fresh update by painting it a warm hue. This subdued shade of green infuses a tranquil vibe and adds a pop of color against the white walls. The warm undertones also exude a cozy and inviting feel. The vertical shiplap instantly draws your view to the angled ceiling and balances the horizontal lines in the wall panels.

10
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Go Dark

Photo: theoldhouseonmain

Black is another great accent wall color. It is bold, dramatic, and lends a mysterious yet glamorous feel, making it perfect for modern interior styles. The combination of the black fireplace against white walls creates a high contrast, while the brown frames of the mirror and the art piece add texture and warmth to the space. To make the color scheme pop even more, throw in some greenery and bright metallics.

11
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Clean and Simple

Photo: decorformycalamity

The white trim details on the chunky white mantel and television frame give this fireplace a sophisticated look. The whitewashed brick helps it blend in with the rest of the neutral color scheme for a shabby chic finish. You can also let your brick’s natural color shine for a charming rustic look. The textures of these bricks add depth and visual interest to the bare wall, and its height emphasizes the room’s soaring ceiling.

12
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Black on White

Photo: thewillowwindow

The first thing you notice in this room is the fireplace accent wall. The gray accent wall against cream walls and furnishings makes for a softer contrast. The round mirror instantly creates the illusion of depth while the wooden mantle adds a subtle pop of color to the otherwise monochromatic space. Candles, flower vases, and stylish neutral décor dress up the mantel to further solidify the wall as a focal point.

13
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A Harmonious Look

Photo: laurensmythdesign

Bricks come in a variety of colors, just like in this room. The brick’s glossy sheen, clean lines, and dark gray hue give this space a sleek and contemporary look while complementing the overall neutral color palette. The white grout brings the accent wall into harmony with the surrounding white walls. Since this feature wall creates such a significant impact, dressing it up would take the eyes away from its architectural beauty.

14
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Introduce Textures

Photo: jenbryantdesign

Spice up a monochromatic space by incorporating a variety of textures. The textured wall behind the television lends a softer, playful aesthetic, wood paneling on the fire surround brings in a touch of modern style, and the whitewashed stone adds depth and dimension. By painting the whole accent wall white, the different textures are unified and tie the whole look together. The stark white color also allows the accent wall to pop out against the light gray walls.

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Add Texture with Panels

Photo: kristin_kgdesigns

The wood paneling above the fireplace surround enhances the sophistication of this room while the vertical lines draw the eye upwards to the towering angled ceilings. This ensures that the stone surround remains the focal point of this space. The chimney breast projects further forward into the room. This way, the fireplace accent walls don’t compete for attention with the windows.

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White Shiplap

Photo: the_evergreen_house

Since both the main walls and the accent wall are painted the same color, horizontal shiplap installed in the chimney breast allows it to subtly stand out. The large painting above the fireplace and the contrasting wooden mantel calls attention to the accent wall, making it the room’s focal point. For a dramatic look, you can paint the accent wall a vibrant color like red or blue.

Zakhar Ivanisov

Meet Zakhar Ivanisov, a Seattle-based entrepreneur and design enthusiast at the helm of Soul & Lane. With a heart full of passion, Zakhar blends his business acumen and a keen eye for aesthetics to create spaces that are as inviting as they are stylish. His venture into the world of home decor and organization reflects a unique fusion of entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine love for transforming living spaces.

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