After knocking through two fireplaces that had been boarded up, it left us with four fireplaces (and the hearths) to tile. That’s eight different design choices in total! The great thing about fireplaces is that you don’t need too many tiles, so you may be able to afford to go for a brand or design that you perhaps wouldn’t be able to afford in a kitchen or bathroom setting.

As is often the case if you’re doing a very quick renovation, I really had to rush the decision on our tiles. We’d booked the tiler in the week before a photo shoot and immediately after the floors were sanded. We’d had decorating, sanding, electrics, carpentry and all sorts of work happening back to back for months and I just didn’t get my head around choosing and ordering tiles quick enough.

If looking for decorative tiles, it can be tricky to find tiles small enough, that will fit around a fireplace without the pattern becoming totally disjointed or overpowering. Some companies will also only do a minimum order which is way over what you need - it can be tricky to navigate what is suitable or not.

I would recommend giving yourself plenty of time for the choosing and ordering process, as many tile companies have really long lead times, so if you need a quick turnaround like we did, your options will definitely be reduced. Anyway, we got there in the end and I love the tiles we chose.

But just in case you are on a mission to tile some fireplaces and need some inspiration, I thought I’d share where we sourced our tiles, showcase some other favourites tiles, plus ideas on how to upcycle old tiles or get the look you want for less. Just remember - give yourself plenty of time to get organised!

Our fireplaces:

Source list

All hearth tiles are from the reclaimed terracotta range at Claybrook Studio.

For wall tiles from Left to right, top to bottom:

Handpainted tiles Herendira Green from Milagros London
Handpainted tiles Herendira Gold from Milagros London
Porcelain hexagon tile in Yellow from Ca Pietra
Metro deco tile in Penn Station by Claybrook Studio

Further Inspiration:

If you would like to replace your tiles completely here are a few styles and brands to get you started that I love.

Source List from Left to Right, Top to Bottom

How to get a stylish look for less:

If you’re looking for a cheaper solution, here are some tips on how you can update your fireplace for less.

First up, you can use cheaper plain metro or square tiles in a block colour. I love how the pictures below use it for both the fireplace and hearth to make a real impact. You can also choose a variation of colours to create a pretty pattern yourself. Have fun and be creative!

2. If the tiles you already have are in good condition and you don’t have the funds to replace them, you can also paint your tiles using an all-surface paint. Either paint in block colours, use a stencil to paint intricate patterns, or free hand different shapes for a geometric vibe. I love how Georgina from @_itstartedwithacushion has used Dulux paints to turn these budget tiles into something more bespoke.

3. If your tiles are in good condition but you don’t feel confident with a paintbrush, it’s worth looking into tile stickers. We’ve used some on our kitchen and they have lasted well for two years now (and I imagine a fireplace would last a lot longer as it is a much lower traffic area). Just make sure you remember to use tile paint or a grout pen to freshen up the grout before applying the stickers as fresh new stickers will show up the old grout badly. Of course, this option will only work if the fireplace is decorative and not being used as a heat source.

4. If you like a more minimal look, you could also add pattern with a porcelain pen to some plain tiles like @eclectic_street. Note how good the white tiles look against the black grout! You don’t always have to go for white grout, in fact, most of the time an off-white or contrasting colour will look more effective. Check out the brand, Mapei, who have a full range of different colours available.

5. And finally, as you don’t need many tiles for a fireplace project, it is always worth looking at selling sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace for anyone selling off leftover tiles from a bigger project. I even approached a big interiors influencer who had tiled their kitchen floor in the tiles I liked, to see if they had any leftover tiles that they would like to sell. That didn’t work out in the end for us, as we had two fireplaces to do and I was in a rush, but they would’ve been up for it if I had been able to wait a little longer. So that’s another option worth exploring and if you’re polite and accommodating in the DMs, the worse that will happen is that they just say no.

The image below is the gorgeous bathroom by Africa @thevitamindproject. All tiles in this bathroom were bought through eBay. Just make sure its a reputable seller who will package up your tiles really well!

Which ever route you end up choosing to go down, I hope you find something that makes you smile! A fireplace is a small part of the room but can make a huge impact if you go for the right tiles. Whether it be subtle and sophisticated or bright and bold, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to research and source a look that will stand the test of time. Don’t be too swayed by trends or what you see on Pinterest, make sure you go for something that YOU absolutely love - you don’t want to be retiling your fireplace anytime soon!

Have fun!!